An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir Dec 2015 / Jan 2016 www.dfmagazine.ie 40 | Author: Stephen Walker Publisher: Merrion Press (September 2015) http://merrionpress.ie IsBn: 978-1785370182 Price: €19.99 Pages: 298 In Ireland's Call the author details the lives and deaths of Irish sportsmen, and chronicles their heart- breaking stories of the men who swapped the sportsfield for the battlefield. His poignant account features previously unpublished photographs, letters and archive documents. The stories of 40 Irishmen from GAA stars to international footballers, and includes rugby, hockey, cricket, athletics and a championship- winning golfer. I found the following story to be a standout item on Irelands lost Champion - Michael Moran from North Co. Dublin who had a difficult start in life. Born in 1886 in a cottage that stood close to the links at Royal County Dublin Golf Club. Spending his early years watching and playing the sport with a natural talent with a slight frame he putted well and was able to drive the ball down the fairway with impressive power. From the age of twenty- one up to the time of his death in 1918 he had been an Irish champion for five successive years and had been the first Irishman to win prize money for his performance in 1913. Had Michael Moran survived the war it is likely that he would have returned to the sport he loved. This book is full of surprising detail; it reveals how the lives of Ireland's brightest sports stars ended prematurely on foreign soil. SS IRElAnD's CAll IRIsH sPORTIng HEROEs WHO FEll In THE gREAT WAR Author: Anthony Russell Publisher: Merrion Press (April 2015) http://merrionpress.ie IsBn: 978-1785370007 Price: €17.99 P/B €45.00 H/B Pages: 222 Between Two Flags tells the story of two people who run away and get married because both their parents tried to prevent their relationship. This life-journey takes them from Ulster, through the rebellion of 1848, to Van Diemen's Land, Paris, San Francisco and through the American Civil War. A remarkable marriage between John Mitchel a lawyer, journalist and nationalist and Jenny Verner his wife, she equally committed to Republicanism. The family moved to Dublin, where Mitchel took up a position with 'The Nation' newspaper. John Mitchel's political views had developed over time and his articles encouraged rebellious action against the rule of the British Government. Mitchel would set up his own newspaper, 'The United Irishman' in which he would promote sedition. This action lead to his arrest for treason, felony and his sentence was transportation to Tasmania for a fourteen-year prison sentence. He escaped to America and in San Francisco was given a hero's welcome. While in America, Mitchel started up several newspapers, holding the position of editor with the 'Richmond Examiner' with equal support from his wife Jenny they gave enthusiastic support to the institution of slavery. The couple's deaths in different continents withstood the separation, heartbreak and upheaval through remarkable times. A truly epic tale that is both enjoyable and insightful of those times. SS BETWEEn TWO FlAgs: JOHn MITCHEl AnD JEnnY vERnER Author: Chuck Dixon Publisher: Bruno Books (September 2014) www.dixonverse.net AsIn: 00NK1TFJS Price: €4.50 Pages: 335 Chuck Dixon's new sci-fi series Bad Times continues with Avenging Angels, which follows the time travelling siblings Morris and Caroline Tauber and their ex-army Rangers going back in time again. Where to now? This time they go up against the might of the Roman Empire, which is at the height of its reign and try and stop another time traveller changing the past of a very famous slave. The Rangers team has a few new additions, these new team members include a sea hardened US Navy Veteran and ancient warrior who is rewarded by being brought to the new world, these add more character and colour to the story. They take the fight to the Legion with sniper weapons against the spear, using shock and awe tactics to frighten and reduce their numbers, and plenty of explosions too. There is a great sub plot that sees Caroline hiding out in war torn Europe during an intense WWII siege. The Bad Times series has easy to follow story lines that jump between the past and the present with relative ease. This is another great addition to the Bad Times series. WF AvEngIng AngEls BAD TIMEs #3

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