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Ireland: A Terrible Beauty
Photographs and text combine to provide a tour of the cities, towns, and rural areas of the Republic and of Ulster and of their history and current troubles
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 1, 1975
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
July 7, 2014
I picked up Jill Uris and Leon Uris’ Ireland A Terrible Beauty with the intention of giving it a quick skim; the book is part of my dad’s motley collection of old Irish stuff that he’s decorated the “camp” in Maine with. Much of this stuff is at least as old as I am; it includes a collection of VHS tapes about Irish emigration, and a lot of signs and wall hangings that I recall as fixtures in the basement of our first house, the one in which I shared a room with my little brother.
Ireland: A Terrible Beauty was published in 1976, right in the middle of the “Troubles,” after Bloody Sunday but before Bobby Sands’ hunger strike. The book is largely, though not entirely, a photo book, almost as big as a coffee-table book. The photos are gorgeous, some in color and some in black and white, taken all around Ireland during the seventies. There are breathtaking landscapes and shots of Ireland’s numerous ancient ruins and old castles; there are also pictures of and interviews with locals of various areas of the country.
The text, bless it, does not pull any punches. The Uris’ have OPINIONS about how shit was being run in Ireland and they are going to tell you about them. While the Uris’ aren’t Irish, they really did seem to fall deeply in love with the country and its people, and most of their strongest opinions are disdain and ire for those parties that they deem to have been oppressing the Irish people and subverting their ability to prosper—the historical British government, the authoritarian, sex-phobic Catholic Hierarchy, and the Protestant Ulstermen. Their descriptions of the “Orangemen” or “Orange Order,” as is the common name for Ulster Unionists, sound very like some analyses of the Tea Party that I’ve seen around on progressive sites. Most of their judgments seem to square pretty well with what I already did know of Irish history (the Church giveth and the Church taketh away…), so I am inclined to give them credit for putting their biases out in the open and to figure that they are a trustworthy enough source on factual matters.
The first half of the book is about the Republic of Ireland, and it’s alternately sweet and sad, full of lovely lovely pictures and detailing Ireland’s weirdly mixed history of glory and oppression, of poets and warriors, of art and of famine. The second half of the book is about Ulster, and features a lot of pictures of graffiti-covered ghettos patrolled by military and paramilitary men with big guns. There are some sections about awesome historical things and the beautiful geography in Northern Ireland as well, but most of it focuses on the Troubles, both the history leading up to them and the situation as it was when the book was written. My favorite bit is a short interview with a very young pIRA leader named Martin McGuinness, talking about him living on the run and his hope to one day have a steady job. Martin McGuiness is now Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland.
While it’s obviously not the most current source of information on Ireland and her many woes, it’s still very informative, both as a solid introduction to the geography and older history of the island and as a snapshot of the island in the mid-seventies. I’m very glad I read it.
Originally posted at http://bloodygranuaile.livejournal.co....
Ireland: A Terrible Beauty was published in 1976, right in the middle of the “Troubles,” after Bloody Sunday but before Bobby Sands’ hunger strike. The book is largely, though not entirely, a photo book, almost as big as a coffee-table book. The photos are gorgeous, some in color and some in black and white, taken all around Ireland during the seventies. There are breathtaking landscapes and shots of Ireland’s numerous ancient ruins and old castles; there are also pictures of and interviews with locals of various areas of the country.
The text, bless it, does not pull any punches. The Uris’ have OPINIONS about how shit was being run in Ireland and they are going to tell you about them. While the Uris’ aren’t Irish, they really did seem to fall deeply in love with the country and its people, and most of their strongest opinions are disdain and ire for those parties that they deem to have been oppressing the Irish people and subverting their ability to prosper—the historical British government, the authoritarian, sex-phobic Catholic Hierarchy, and the Protestant Ulstermen. Their descriptions of the “Orangemen” or “Orange Order,” as is the common name for Ulster Unionists, sound very like some analyses of the Tea Party that I’ve seen around on progressive sites. Most of their judgments seem to square pretty well with what I already did know of Irish history (the Church giveth and the Church taketh away…), so I am inclined to give them credit for putting their biases out in the open and to figure that they are a trustworthy enough source on factual matters.
The first half of the book is about the Republic of Ireland, and it’s alternately sweet and sad, full of lovely lovely pictures and detailing Ireland’s weirdly mixed history of glory and oppression, of poets and warriors, of art and of famine. The second half of the book is about Ulster, and features a lot of pictures of graffiti-covered ghettos patrolled by military and paramilitary men with big guns. There are some sections about awesome historical things and the beautiful geography in Northern Ireland as well, but most of it focuses on the Troubles, both the history leading up to them and the situation as it was when the book was written. My favorite bit is a short interview with a very young pIRA leader named Martin McGuinness, talking about him living on the run and his hope to one day have a steady job. Martin McGuiness is now Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland.
While it’s obviously not the most current source of information on Ireland and her many woes, it’s still very informative, both as a solid introduction to the geography and older history of the island and as a snapshot of the island in the mid-seventies. I’m very glad I read it.
Originally posted at http://bloodygranuaile.livejournal.co....
October 10, 2017
I started reading this to prepare for my trip to Ireland, loaned to me by my grandmother. It got held off until my return from Ireland mid-September. It gave me a greater appreciation of what I saw and learned on my trip! I was especially fascinated with the Troubles, having visited Derry for a few days where my cousin was. It had so much more details than what I learned at the museums about Free Derry and Bloody Sunday as well what took place in Belfast.
The book itself is a bit old but is a wealth of information.
The book itself is a bit old but is a wealth of information.
February 20, 2012
Super read! Wish I had of read it thirty years ago; maybe I'll read it again? You see, I'm one of the unlucky ones, who left my Home (N.Ireland) & all who belong to me; because of the "Troubles!" I'll say this though, that if you're not from Ireland you'll never understand the "troubles" and / or my story; saved by reading this little book. A Terrible Beauty, an irony to put it mildly! As the book addresses, a beautiful land & people indeed, forever living life's irony!
January 3, 2025
Fantastic images, portrays the wide and complex geographical and social landscape of Ireland. Its only fault is that it will sometimes provide simple recommendations or solutions to the Irish people to solve systematic problems, and feels slightly out of touch. However, within this criticism, it is important to understand the context of when the book was published.
October 27, 2014
There are several different metrics by which one could rate this book, so take my three-star rating with a grain of salt.
Strengths:
- The photographs are amazing and impactful, and a certain few will always remain with me when I think of Ireland. Jill Uris did an excellent job of capturing the "spirits," both friendly and unfriendly, that haunt Ireland.
- Leon Uris's descriptions and personal thoughts regarding the long-ago and recent history of Ireland are movingly lyrical and bring Ireland to life. Uris is not afraid to voice his opinion regarding the injustices that the Irish have faced throughout the centuries.
- Though dated to the 70's, this is a strength since it allows one to immerse oneself in the doubts, questions, and uncertainties that permeated Ireland-oriented thought at the time. Even though one "knows how it turned out," one temporarily forgets this when reading "Ireland: A Terrible Beauty."
Weakness:
- The "Irish" (and indeed as the book points out, that's a controversial term to even use) are mostly (with just a couple exceptions) presented as blameless in terms of the Catholic/Protestant conflict, and are certainly presented in an overwhelmingly romantic light. In other words, even a small attempt at balance would have been worthwhile in terms of the overall quality of the book.
Strengths:
- The photographs are amazing and impactful, and a certain few will always remain with me when I think of Ireland. Jill Uris did an excellent job of capturing the "spirits," both friendly and unfriendly, that haunt Ireland.
- Leon Uris's descriptions and personal thoughts regarding the long-ago and recent history of Ireland are movingly lyrical and bring Ireland to life. Uris is not afraid to voice his opinion regarding the injustices that the Irish have faced throughout the centuries.
- Though dated to the 70's, this is a strength since it allows one to immerse oneself in the doubts, questions, and uncertainties that permeated Ireland-oriented thought at the time. Even though one "knows how it turned out," one temporarily forgets this when reading "Ireland: A Terrible Beauty."
Weakness:
- The "Irish" (and indeed as the book points out, that's a controversial term to even use) are mostly (with just a couple exceptions) presented as blameless in terms of the Catholic/Protestant conflict, and are certainly presented in an overwhelmingly romantic light. In other words, even a small attempt at balance would have been worthwhile in terms of the overall quality of the book.
March 6, 2024
I rate this book 5 of 5 — OUTSTANDING. Despite being published nearly 50 years ago, the text and photographs succinctly capture the heart and history of Ireland — The Republic and Northern Ireland. Given the date of publication (1975), a good portion of the book documents the history, events, and devastation of the sectarian violence in Ulster, which was still underway at the time the book was printed and seemingly getting worse. ☹️
July 8, 2022
The book weighs four pounds. But that is because both text and photographs are printed on 288 thick glossy pages. Rendering a masterpiece work. Every picture, color or black-and-white, is stunning. Added to the words of history and description of Ireland’s political and cultural conditions at the time of publication, the photos guide the reader through wrenching emotional upheaval and sadness. And, according to an afterword by Jill Uris, they deliberately declined “to photograph people bloodied or dead.”
Of “The Troubles,” the authors keep asking Why? And we cannot answer, even four-and-a-half decades later when Ireland has finally rescinded its hatreds and learned to live in peace with its own neighbors. We cannot really accept how groups of peoples work themselves into entrenched hatreds against other groups of peoples. Humanity is sometimes misnamed.
But other times it most certainly shines through, for the Urises also acknowledge unnumbered Irish natives who befriend and assist them with kindnesses as they travel the island in sometimes dangerous city neighborhoods and villages during episodes of stoning by mobs, shootings into unarmed gatherings, or unanticipated bombings and burning of buildings.
The volume is an exquisite history, composed in “real time.” They were not there for all the centuries recounted, but they were there for what they say was “ten thousand miles” of travel during a critical culmination of very bad “management” by a few insiders but mostly outsiders (read: British) that had led to seemingly irreconcilable dissension to a point of collapse. Their book is a plea for resolution. Perhaps it helped the cause.
Of “The Troubles,” the authors keep asking Why? And we cannot answer, even four-and-a-half decades later when Ireland has finally rescinded its hatreds and learned to live in peace with its own neighbors. We cannot really accept how groups of peoples work themselves into entrenched hatreds against other groups of peoples. Humanity is sometimes misnamed.
But other times it most certainly shines through, for the Urises also acknowledge unnumbered Irish natives who befriend and assist them with kindnesses as they travel the island in sometimes dangerous city neighborhoods and villages during episodes of stoning by mobs, shootings into unarmed gatherings, or unanticipated bombings and burning of buildings.
The volume is an exquisite history, composed in “real time.” They were not there for all the centuries recounted, but they were there for what they say was “ten thousand miles” of travel during a critical culmination of very bad “management” by a few insiders but mostly outsiders (read: British) that had led to seemingly irreconcilable dissension to a point of collapse. Their book is a plea for resolution. Perhaps it helped the cause.
January 27, 2024
I just rescued this from my parents' discard pile. My recollection is that Uris and his photographer wife fell in love with Ireland while he was researching TRINITY and this idiosyncratic book came out of their time there. It's a combination of Leon's take on Irish culture and history and Jill's lovely, haunting photographs of an Ireland already vanishing as she took them. I spent a childhood immersed in oversized art books and was stunned at how I recognized the photos throughout. I loved seeing the pages that featured the digging of peat and the game of bowling (Irish not American), which I once witnessed on a country road as a child...country men in suits and jumpers hurling a lead ball down country lanes, walking from spot to spot. I think I saved up to give my parents this book, or maybe someone else did while I was trying. I will have to read the prose more thoroughly to see if I agree with Leon's assessment of various aspects of Irish history and culture but it is a lovely book to drop into. I wonder if Jill is still alive and taking photos.
January 11, 2023
One to keep. Photos and narrative combine to describe Leon Uris's compelling thoughts on the complex political and sectarian issues in Ireland as a whole at a particular point in time (early to mid 1970s). The section on Ulster makes for gruelling reading and whilst progress has been made in the intervening years, given the political stalemate in Northern Ireland post Brexit - again splitting the Unionists and Sinn Fein - one wonders if there is ever going to be parity and unity in Northern Ireland .....
I believe Jill Uris revisited Ireland around ten years afterwards and there is a book about that which would be interesting.
I believe Jill Uris revisited Ireland around ten years afterwards and there is a book about that which would be interesting.
November 28, 2017
Well written, very informative, wonderful photos.
December 21, 2017
This book was published in 1972 or so.. but it still tells so many stories for current Ireland.
May 31, 2023
Sad enlightening view of the tragedy of a country torn by hatred and injustice. I have a whole new perspective. I found the black and white photos less meaningful than the text.
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November 18, 2023Did not read in its entirety. Read snippets here and there and enjoyed many of the photographs.
March 14, 2017
This book rememebers my of my time in the 1970th in Ireland and Northern Ireland. I was working as an engineer and travelled a lot. I felt the situation in Northern Ireland very dangerous - especially in Armaghdown close to Belfast. But I also enjoyed the contact with the irish people and the wonderful landscape. All this matters are very well described and shown with photos in this book. Very valuable - even after 40 years.
November 14, 2015
Such raw-nerve detail regarding the political, social and militaristic history and horrific challenge of Irish life over the centuries.
My first visit to Ireland, in 1982, included "taking care" to NOT speak of "The Troubles" in public spaces, like the pubs I frequented, and frequented often. Such beauty, such terrible beauty, Mr. Uris does a fine job of wrenching my heart, while also engorging my heart with pride.
Pride for our gift of language, our undying generosity of spirit, our willingness to offer a hand or a smile to the trodden upon. Aye, we know that feeling all too well.
If you have any Irish in ye, read this book with patience, for it will make ye angry. But read it anyway, to learn.
My first visit to Ireland, in 1982, included "taking care" to NOT speak of "The Troubles" in public spaces, like the pubs I frequented, and frequented often. Such beauty, such terrible beauty, Mr. Uris does a fine job of wrenching my heart, while also engorging my heart with pride.
Pride for our gift of language, our undying generosity of spirit, our willingness to offer a hand or a smile to the trodden upon. Aye, we know that feeling all too well.
If you have any Irish in ye, read this book with patience, for it will make ye angry. But read it anyway, to learn.
November 20, 2012
I love reading outdated books, and this is a great book. It is written only a few years after Bloody Sunday, and it has tons of interesting quotes, interviews, and beautiful pictures I have never seen anywhere else.
It tells the whole history of the troubles from the very early beginnings all the way to what was then the present. Fantastic book.
It tells the whole history of the troubles from the very early beginnings all the way to what was then the present. Fantastic book.
August 13, 2007
I could have saved $40,000 in a celtic studies degree if only I had read this book. Everything I learned in university (with the exception of Irish Gaelic) was pretty much in here. Way more economical to just read this. Oh well.
August 18, 2007
This was one of the best pictorial histories of the troubles to ever be published. This book really showed how Northern Ireland was during the 1970's. I fell in love with this book. It's just too bad it is out of print.
April 18, 2008
Leon and Jill Uris combine pictures and text to portray Ireland . The text are short essays to accompany the pictures. Pictures are beautiful. Ranges from poltics, the people, the countryside and the culture.
February 6, 2010
This was written at the height of The Troubles, so obviously, it's a little outdated by now. The authors also let their bias shine through at times. Still, it was an interesting look into 1970s Ireland.
September 20, 2012
its many photos enliven the taut and exciting prose.
i read this soon after it was published in the mid 70's.
i remember i bought and read it then in tribute to cuch moriarty... it still today has a compelling power that pulls me into every page!
i read this soon after it was published in the mid 70's.
i remember i bought and read it then in tribute to cuch moriarty... it still today has a compelling power that pulls me into every page!
September 8, 2016
This book was like a companion to Trinity - the true side of the fictional story. It may be a bit dated, from the 70's, but it explained and amplified the story of Trinity. The photographs were amazing, often sad, especially the children.
March 4, 2008
Simply, wow....sad, beautiful and completely true.
August 20, 2011
A photographic journal of the Uris' years in Ireland; beautiful and achingly sad
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February 18, 2013beautiful photos....well titled....brings back a lot of memories
May 18, 2020
History of Ireland.
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November 20, 2012This is one of the most amazing photography/tabletop books I have ever seen.
Read
February 13, 2019Interesting ~ but a little out of date.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews