Goodreads Ireland discussion

Emma wrote: "Given the amount of interest from members recently in the events surrounding the 1916 Easter Rising and since we are heading into the centenary we thought it may be beneficial to set up a folder fo..."

Thanks, Emma and Sara, for doing this. I am very interested in reading up on this topic.

Great idea!

I saw loads of books on 1916 in Dublin this weekend. Some might not be high quality but there's a few I'll likely buy before I fly home. This morning at Trinity before 7;30 am they ere filming and based on the uniforms and the woman's costume it was probably a 1916 film.

I saw loads of books on 1916 in Dublin this weekend. Some might not be high quality but there's a few I'll likely buy before I fly home. This morning at Trinity before 7;30 am they ere filming and based on the uniforms and the woman's costume it was probably a 1916 film.

Thats always the issue with a big event like this is it will be hard to seperate the quality stuff from the mass of average books. I went by Trinity just before seven this morning and did notice a flurry of camera activity but didn't see any costumes sadly

You were out early!

Did ye bump into each other at trinity at this early hour??

Well we could have but our paths probably crossed. I went out the Dawson st exit to get the bus to the airport. It's such a small world, city, and country.

Well we could have but our paths probably crossed. I went out the Dawson st exit to get the bus to the airport. It's such a small world, city, and country.

I start work nice and early each day. It means I get out a bit earlier and I finish at eleven on a Friday. Sadly I wasnt keeping an eye out on my travels yesterday

Paul wrote: "I start work nice and early each day. It means I get out a bit earlier and I finish at eleven on a Friday. Sadly I wasnt keeping an eye out on my travels yesterday"

I love that schedule!

A toddler doesn't let you sleep in the morning anyway ;-)

I'm very interested in what is planned for the centenary celebrations in Dublin, as my novel Whatever You Say, Say Nothing, published by Amazon in September, is set in the War of Independence. Though it takes place in 1920, there is an important back story in 1916. I'm taking a school trip to Dublin in October. Does anyone have any information about events planned for the centenary?

As a Brit with a great interest in the War of Independence, I'd be interested to know the answer to two questions from our Irish (and Irish diaspora) friends:

1. How is the War of Independence seen by Irish people nowadays? Romantically? Cynically? As a heroic struggle or as an absurd myth? Does it vary by generations?

2. How does this affect how the Irish see us Brits? Is there any lingering enmity? Would the idea of a Brit writing about this war be greeted with horror?

Looking forward to hearing your responses!

Thanks for this, Emma. It's true that the Rising caused immense damage to Dublin, and was by no means universally popular! The so-called 'separation women' who got a substantial allowance from their husbands in the British Army pelted the rebels with rotten fruit. Do you know Roddy Doyle's A Star Called Henry? It tells the story of the Rising from the point of view of a volunteer who cares nothing for nationalism but is keen to take a pop at the ruling class as a socialist.

Hi Julian,
I grew up seeing the War of Independence as a heroic struggle. My grandfather was in the British army fighting with the Connaught Rangers in Flanders in 1916. He was always pro British but his family grew up in an Ireland that became more admiring of the rebels when the leaders were executed. I wrote a novel based on the conflict in my family. A Soldier's Wife

Thanks for that, Marion. Do you knowA Long Long Way by Sebastian Barry? That dramatises the conflict of loyalties for Irishmen fighting for Britain in WW1 very powerfully.

Julian wrote: "Thanks for that, Marion. Do you knowA Long Long Way by Sebastian Barry? That dramatises the conflict of loyalties for Irishmen fighting for Britain in WW1 very powerfully."

I love "A Long, long way". It is indeed a powerful book. I hope that mine resembles it and have been told that it does. Most families in Ireland found that there were different loyalties in their family during that period. I tried to be non-partisan and reflect the variety of loyalties and motivations of different members of my family.

I don't think there is any animosity felt towards the British in Ireland today ( except when there is a rugby match!) half of my family are English and the other half Irish. We all get along very well. I don't see why an Englishman couldn't write about this period in history. Just do your research well.

Julian wrote: "Thanks for this, Emma. It's true that the Rising caused immense damage to Dublin, and was by no means universally popular! The so-called 'separation women' who got a substantial allowance from thei..."

This is a reminder to me to read A Star Called Henry which is on my shelves.

The only 1916 themed book I picked up on my recent trip to Dublin was Women of the Irish Revolution. Here's a nice review:
http://www.irishartsreview.com/women-...

Only saw this thread today I read two this year about the 1916 which I enjoyed.
byTim Pat Coogan