Terrible Queer Creatures: Homosexuality in Irish History

by Brian Lacey

An accessible history of homosexuality in Ireland. The book looks at the country's past when homosexuality was hidden from view, right through to 2015 and the historic marriage equality referendum. Dr Lacey uses his historical knowledge to bring to the surface from a wide variety of sources an entertaining yet scholarly exposition of the history of homosexuality in Ireland.

Genres: Queer, Nonfiction, History, Historical, LGBT, Gay

299 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2008

Reviews

[e. · Rating 5 out of 5]

mr lacey i'm standing at your door with a bouquet, this book is the main source of the first chapter of my master's thesis

[Rosie]

One of the things I did for my creative brain in 2023 was to take a course at the Irish Writers Centre on the art of crafting LGBT characters. Among the books mentioned over the weeks was this one I’d not heard of before, detailing Ireland’s queer history. After finishing the course it lingered on my TBR pile for way too long, I finally snagged a copy from the library in December.

Brian Lacey’s “Terrible Queer Creatures” is a scholarly exploration, navigating the labyrinth of Ireland’s relationship with homosexuality over the centuries and compiled by decades of the author’s dedicated work. From a past shrouded in misunderstanding and secrecy, Lacey guides us from the 1st century through St Patrick and on toward the present, marked by the transformative 2015 marriage equality referendum.

This is an academic explanation rather than a narrative one. It is structured in chapters, each a self-contained exploration. Some chapters focus on specific historical people - Oscar Wilde, of course, and Roger Casement immediately spring to mind - while others combine various events and persons recorded historically either through criminal documents or in Royal courts.

While it might not be everyone’s cup of tea, for those curious about the historical perceptions of homosexuality, it’s an enlightening journey through the ages and how the hidden histories of queer people can be seen.

[Iñaki Tofiño · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable, entertaining and extremely interesting!