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Ireland's Secret War: Dan Bryan, G2 and the Lost Tapes that Reveal the Hunt for Ireland's Nazi Spies
Ireland's Secret War is a thrilling account of the true extent of Irish-Allied co-operation during World War II. It reveals strategic Nazi intentions for Ireland and the real role of leading government figures of the time, placing Dan Bryan and G2 - the military intelligence branch of the Irish Defence Forces - firmly at the centre of the country's battle against Nazi Germany.
With the help of over thirty-five hours of previously unpublished audio recordings that were held in storage in northern California for over fifty years, Marc McMenamin reveals the extraordinary unheard history of WWII in Ireland, told from the point of view of the main protagonists.
Fascinating and entertaining, Ireland's Secret War reassesses the legacy of the Irish contribution to the Allied war effort through the voices of those involved at the time.
With the help of over thirty-five hours of previously unpublished audio recordings that were held in storage in northern California for over fifty years, Marc McMenamin reveals the extraordinary unheard history of WWII in Ireland, told from the point of view of the main protagonists.
Fascinating and entertaining, Ireland's Secret War reassesses the legacy of the Irish contribution to the Allied war effort through the voices of those involved at the time.
9 pages, Audio CD
Published September 15, 2022
About the author
Marc Mc Menamin
2 books14 followersMarc Mc Menamin is an Irish author, historian, documentary maker and secondary school teacher from Ballyshannon, Donegal, Ireland, currently residing in Dublin.
He holds a Masters of Arts in History and a Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching from his Alma Mater, the National University of Ireland, Galway (NUI Galway).
He has produced several award winning radio documentaries, such as Richard Hayes, Nazi Codebreaker, and Peter Daly Good Cop/Bad Cop. Furthermore, Mc Menamin alsoworks as a Freelance Reporter for RTÉ Radio 1's The History Show.
Mc Menamin has worked as researcher on a number of documentaries most notably TV3’s Sinn Féin: Who are they? As well as stints on Midweek and Tonight with Vincent Browne, he also worked as an intern to Stephen Donnelly (T.D.) in Dáil Eireann.
In addition to Richard Hayes, Mc Menamin has also researched 1920's Donegal Politician Major James Myles.
He released his first book, Codebreaker, in 2018.
He holds a Masters of Arts in History and a Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching from his Alma Mater, the National University of Ireland, Galway (NUI Galway).
He has produced several award winning radio documentaries, such as Richard Hayes, Nazi Codebreaker, and Peter Daly Good Cop/Bad Cop. Furthermore, Mc Menamin alsoworks as a Freelance Reporter for RTÉ Radio 1's The History Show.
Mc Menamin has worked as researcher on a number of documentaries most notably TV3’s Sinn Féin: Who are they? As well as stints on Midweek and Tonight with Vincent Browne, he also worked as an intern to Stephen Donnelly (T.D.) in Dáil Eireann.
In addition to Richard Hayes, Mc Menamin has also researched 1920's Donegal Politician Major James Myles.
He released his first book, Codebreaker, in 2018.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 3, 2023
2.5 stars. On the one hand, very worthwhile reading if interested in Ireland during WWII. Many insights I've always wanted to know more about eg how German POWs were treated during and after the war (a very delicate matter for neutral but Allies favourable Ireland), what happened to Germany ambassador Hempel or how Ireland monitored its entire coastline during the war.
But this book needed a careful edit, especially at the start where the research process is dwelt on far too much. Once you get past this you will be rewarded. The tapes do not in fact add much which was unknown about Ireland during WWII, but I accept that they were a great inspiration to write the book.
In addition, the repetition of information - first paraphrased, then in direct quotes from archival tape recordings is unnecessary. One or the other would have aided the flow of the book.
Curiously, every time a new character is introduced he/she gets a little bio, starting with birth date. While this also breaks up the book and should have been avoided, once you know to expect them they are a little like collecting Top Trump cards along the way and form timelines in your head.
But this book needed a careful edit, especially at the start where the research process is dwelt on far too much. Once you get past this you will be rewarded. The tapes do not in fact add much which was unknown about Ireland during WWII, but I accept that they were a great inspiration to write the book.
In addition, the repetition of information - first paraphrased, then in direct quotes from archival tape recordings is unnecessary. One or the other would have aided the flow of the book.
Curiously, every time a new character is introduced he/she gets a little bio, starting with birth date. While this also breaks up the book and should have been avoided, once you know to expect them they are a little like collecting Top Trump cards along the way and form timelines in your head.
November 14, 2022
A historical book looking into the reasons why Ireland stayed neutral during the war, and all of the people involved in keeping the country running in their own way. Very insightful as I don't believe I ever studied history in Ireland and it is evident the amount of research having gone into the making of this book. Thoroughly enjoyed the liberal use of quotes to convey the messages accurately.
May 3, 2024
I read this book for my history essay on Irish neutrality and it really helped me! Really accessible to read and to understand unlike some other history books.
March 6, 2023
I’m very glad this book is breaking ground on research which the author rightly says needs to be uncovered. The volunteer coast watching service was an ingenious crowd sourcing solution to Ireland’s limited air defense. You can imagine every eye tracking and chatting about each plane overhead.
Sadly in this book most of the G2 anecdotes get lost in a dry Wikipedia of dates and names. There was a brief mention of an IRA house were two Gardaí received the highest award for bravery during a shootout but all the action is missed. Garda records on the action should exist.
The Nazis did have a “Plan Green” to invade Ireland and were enlisting IRA help to prepare. Hopefully the German spies themselves left diaries or records that will shine a spot light into how this might have played out. This would show how G2 played a critical role during WWII to save Ireland from invasion and possibly more.
Sadly in this book most of the G2 anecdotes get lost in a dry Wikipedia of dates and names. There was a brief mention of an IRA house were two Gardaí received the highest award for bravery during a shootout but all the action is missed. Garda records on the action should exist.
The Nazis did have a “Plan Green” to invade Ireland and were enlisting IRA help to prepare. Hopefully the German spies themselves left diaries or records that will shine a spot light into how this might have played out. This would show how G2 played a critical role during WWII to save Ireland from invasion and possibly more.
August 8, 2022
A well researched and well laid out history of the little recognised involvement of Ireland's secret service during World War II. Not a time often discussed as it is covered by the country's neutrality but one, nonetheless, that had a significant impact on how the war played out on the western reaches of Europe.
By looking into Ireland’s history during this period Marc McMenamin shines a light on the little known heroes of Ireland’s G2 division and just how important their role was in the theatre of War.
By looking into Ireland’s history during this period Marc McMenamin shines a light on the little known heroes of Ireland’s G2 division and just how important their role was in the theatre of War.
December 19, 2024
An interesting survey of the military intelligence branch of Ireland's Defence Forces G2 and the work it carried out during World War 2 to track down German spies as well as Allied and Axis prisoners of war. McMenamin has had access to previously unknown tapes and papers from this period which are now stored in Stanford University. Where the book falls down is when McMenamin allows his own prejudices to interfere. The end of the book details his attempts to get public recognition for those involved in this work - primarily Dan Bryan. Such proselytising has no place in a book of this nature.
September 5, 2022
As someone who studied History in Secondary School in Ireland in the 1970’s - I was shocked to discover how much of our history was kept from us. This book and Codebreaker by the same talented author Marc Mc Menamin have sparked my interest in searching for more of the historical record of the time that was kept hidden from us!
Absolutely fantastic telling of recent Irish history. Definitely worth the time. To read/listen.
Absolutely fantastic telling of recent Irish history. Definitely worth the time. To read/listen.
August 13, 2023
Interesting account of espionage and politicking in Ireland during the Emergency. Captures the ripple effect of civil war divide across this period well.
October 13, 2024
Very interesting and well written.
March 15, 2026
Slow, meandering, ultimately an uninteresting book on what should be an exciting topic.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews