An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir February 2015 www.dfmagazine.ie 36 | Author: Liz Gillis publisher: Mercier Press, (October 2014) www.mercierpress.ie isbn: 978-1781172056 price: €25.00 pages: 240 "Women of the Irish Revolution" by author, historian and researcher Liz Gillis recounts the story of the vital role that women played in the fight for Irish freedom from 1900-23. The author trawled through archives and museums to gather photographs of these women, and contacted families and discovered many never seen before photographs of the women during this turbulent period in Irish history. Piecing together the lives of these women, matching names to faces, the author uses a photograph of each woman and details her involvement in the struggle for independence. Teacher and revolutionary, Margaret Skinnider travelled to Dublin during the 1916 Easter Rising and took part in the action around the area of St. Stephen's Green where she was seriously wounded. She survived and lived to the age of 78. The book also recounts the stories of those indirectly involved, the wives, girlfriends, mothers and sisters of those fighting for independence. Childhood friends, Margaret Craven and Agnes Brady, risked their lives hiding weapons and assisting republican operatives. After the ceasefire, both women married and settled down into domestic life. With many black and white photographs, this is an invaluable book for those interested in this period of Irish history. This authoritative study will prove invaluable in the coming years as we travel through the decade of centenaries. PC Women oF the IrIsh reVoLutIon eMMeT DAlTOn: SOMME SOLDIER, IRISH GENERAL, FILM PIONEER Author: Sean Boyne publisher: Irish Academic Press (November 2014) www.iap.ie isbn: 978-1908928955 price: €23.40 pages: 464 Major General Emmet Dalton was one of the pivotal characters involved in the formation of The Free State and yet most people are unaware of his important role. Sean Boyne's excellent book sheds light on Dalton's military career spanning World War 1, The War of Independence, and Civil War. It covers also a career as a film maker/ producer who was instrumental in creating the highly regarded film industry that Ireland now enjoys. Born in the USA March 8th 1898 Emmet moved to Drumcondra in the Dublin suburbs at an early age with his parents. Educated at O'Connell Schools and latterly at St. Josephs in Roscrea he grew up in a staunchly Nationalist family. Despite this he joined The Royal Dublin Fusiliers as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1915 at the age of 17. Awarded the Military Cross at Ginchy, Dalton returned to Dublin in 1919 where his younger brother, Charlie was involved with the IRA. Initially involved in training Volunteers Dalton accompanied the Irish Delegation to the Treaty Talks in London in 1922. Promoted Major General at the age of twenty four he was with Michael Collins on that fateful in Beal na Blath. Despite being one of the most successful generals in the Free State Army Emmet resigned in late 1922. He was appointed Clerk of the Seanad a role he fulfilled for several years. In the following period Emmet was involved in many diverse businesses but found his metier in film distribution. Horse racing was also a huge hobby of his. While living in London he became fascinated with the production side and founded Ardmore Studios in Bray in the late '50s. This would set the groundwork for the very successful industry that Ireland now enjoys. He died on his eightieth birthday in 1978. Mb

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