A Coward if I Return, A Hero if I Fall: Stories of Irishmen in World War I

by Neil Richardson

IRELAND'S FORGOTTEN LEGACY In 1914-1918, two hundred thousand Irishmen from all religions and backgrounds went to war. At least thirty-five thousand never came home. Those that did were scarred for the rest of their lives. Many of these survivors found themselves abandoned and ostracised by their countrymen, their voices seldom heard.

The book

The first Victoria CrossLeading the way at Gallipoli and the SommeNorth and South fighting side by side at Messines RidgeIreland's flying acesBrothers-in-arms – heart-rending stories of family sacrificeThe lucky escapes of some; the tragic end of othersThe homecoming – why there was no hero's welcome 

Includes over 300 photographs and items of memorabelia from the lives of these brave men and their families.

An important book that opened up the conversation in Ireland about our role in World War I. Updated, and with a new introduction.

371 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 25, 2020

About the author

Neil Richardson studied Philosophy in University College Dublin and works as a creative writing teacher and editor. He is also a playwright and two of his plays, Through the Dark Clouds Shining and From the Shannon to the Somme, are inspired by stories from his book on the First World War. Neil is also a member of the Reserve Defence Forces and his family have a long military tradition stretching back over 150 years. His great-grandfather’s experiences in the trenches inspired this collection of Irish veterans’ stories.