An Cosantóir

www.military.ie THE DEFENCE FORCES MAGAZINE | 37 THE ENIGMA OF ARTHUR GRIFFITH 'FATHER OF US ALL' Author: Seán Moraghn Publisher: Mercier Press ISBN: 9781781177501 Pages: 320 Price: €15.29 "Fighting between various clans, in a more explicitly war-like manner, had been an ancient Irish practice". With the use of oral and eye witness accounts This book is an account on the meetings and clashes between Irish gangs in the 19th and 20th century in Co. Kerry. A proper account on this over two hundred years was needed as it has received very little attention. Fairs and markets seemed to be a common setting for these faction's fights, with fairs such as Molahiffe and Castleisland being typical venues. There are accounts to show that these quarrels were not only bound to men, one account tells of how the "prowess of a woman vanquished" an adversary using her apron and a stone as an catapult, a great account on the kind of ferocity that would have been on display and quite common. With fantastic illustrations and stories to match, this book is a fantastic account of a relatively unknown time in our past, Kerry's in particular. Seán Moraghan is a historian and folklore researcher with a particular interest in Irish social and political history from 1798 to the Great Famine. He has lived in Co. Kerry for over thirty years. SG DAYS OF THE BLACKTHORN: FACTION FIGHTERS OF KERRY NAVY SEALS: THE COMBAT HISTORY OF THE DEADLIEST WARRIORS ON THE PLANET Author: Don Mann & Lance Burton Publisher: SkyHorse Publishing ISBN: 978-1-5107-1655-1 Ebook ISBN: 978-1-5107-1656-8 Pages: 344 Price: €12.99 – Apple Books Written by an ex Navy Seal in Don Man and Co Authored by an ex FBI Counter- Terrorism Agent, it gives you a direct look at the elite special forces unit that the Navy Seals is from the eyes of someone who lived that life. The book feels like it has three areas of focus, the evolution of the unit, the stories of the missions they carried out and the personal sacrifices that were made by the Navy Seals members. Looking back on the units history and its evolution from its start to how it is now, the authors give you a very good insight into how the unit evolved and the skills they trained in over the years. Moving into the bulk of the book takes you into the action, and gives detailed accounts of the missions the unit carried out all over the globe. The last section of the book looks at how six of its members were awarded the Medal of Honour. It gives a more detailed look at each operator, which makes it an even more inspiring read The book is a very good read and if you have any interest in other military beyond our own Defence Forces its well worth the read. KB Author: Colum Kenny Publisher: Merrion Press ISBN: 978-1-5107-1655-1 Ebook ISBN: 9781785373145 Pages: 300 Price: €19.95 This eighteen chapter exploration and in depth study, research of Arthur Griffith by Colm Kenny is both welcome and significant for our country and its people. Who have just find themselves after the most unusual result, from an General Election. Within each chapter one discovers the many unknown known facets of this shy, hard working nationalist. Having started his working life in the printing trade. As the author states in his book, he takes a fresh look at Griffith's life from its humble beginings, to its sudden end. Relating his many relations with; Maud Gonne, Eamonn de Vaera, W.B.Yeats and James Joyce amonng others. His presidency of Dail Eireann hs leadership of the treaty negotations in London and his creation of Sinn Fein. A future President if Ireland, Sean T.OKelly, survived the civil war but found himself on the opposite side to Griffith. When Griffith dropped-dead, O'Kelly was in Kilmainham Jail as a prisoner of the Pro-Treaty government. He generously predicted of Griffith that "Future generations of Irish men and women shall draw inspiration, from a man, whose political philosoply so elequently taught, and whose long years of sacrifice and toil brought the present generation of Irishmen from theire knees to their feet, and rekindled in their hearts the almost extinct flame of Liberty. The image of Griffith as a staid even reactionary figure, in this book we see him at the heart of culture and political renainance which saw a departure from British control from most of the Island of Ireland. This book has to be one of the most important, on this period. A must for all serious history readers. SS

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