Ireland and the Great War: 'A War to Unite Us All'?

by Adrian Gregory (Editor), Senia Pašeta (Editor)

As the twentieth century drew to a close, people in all parts of Ireland began to recover the memory of the First World War as the last great common experience of the island as a whole. Brings together research whilst re-evaluating older assumptions about the immediate and continuing impact of the war on Ireland. Explores some lesser-known aspects of Ireland’s war years as well as including studies of more traditional military, social, cultural, political and economic aspects. Analyses how the experience and memory of the War have contributed to identity formation and the legitimisation of political violence.

Genres: History

240 pages, Paperback

First published September 20, 2002

Reviews

[Andy Hart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Superb essays on a broad-ranging subject matter all drawn together under the banner of Ireland and the Great War.

[Kevin J · Rating 3 out of 5]

read Intro & Chapters 1 (Senia Paseta), 5 (Ben Novick), 6 (Adrian Gregory), 9 (Philip Orr) & 10 (D. G. Boyce). No overall history of Ireland's involvement in WW1 was included.

[Kevin Keating · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting stuff in many parts; pretty tedious at others. The main theme is that the First World War, in addition to being so pointless in so many ways, actually contributed to the divisiveness in Ireland. There were >500k Irish troops who fought in WW1 as part of the British Army. Those Catholics and Nationalists who fought were often seen as almost traitors to the Nationalist cause, while the Unionist side never really appreciated or recognized them. Adds to the whole miserable picture of 20th century Irish divisive history. Sad.