An Cosantóir

www.military.ie the defence forces magazine | 33 author: John C Hewitt Publisher: Mercier Press (April 2016) www.mercierpress.ie ISBN: 978-1781173886 Price: €30 Pages: 288 John Hewitt's second volume shines a light on the participation of many brave Irishmen during World War 2, which is referred to as the Emergency in Ireland. In his first volume John covered primarily the Ulstermen who fought and many of whom also died as aircrew during World War 2. Because of wartime censorship Ireland was largely unaware of the sacrifices made by some of its citizens in defence of democracy. This volume concentrates on the exploits of some of the southern born airmen and also from the six counties. The life of Wing Commander Brendan 'Paddy' Finucane DSO, DFC, is covered in detail as are the lives of the aircrew from both sides of the social spectrum. Extensive research and anecdotes from people who knew them, that paint vivid pictures of the hazards they endured in combat. Experience gained did not necessarily guarantee survival in the deadly arena of modern aerial warfare. Sadly thirteen of the airmen featured were lost in action. This volume is a worthy addition to the military aviation shelves, which up to now for various reasons has mainly ignored the sacrifice of the airmen from the island of Ireland. John Hewitt is a lifelong aviation enthusiast and worked as a British Airways engineer for 30 years. He was involved in the mapping of World War 2 crash sites in Northern Ireland and spent 40 years interviewing RAF Fighter Pilots and Bomber Aircrew from all over Ireland. MB ireLAnd's AviATOr herOes Of WOrLd WAr 2 - vOL. 2 author: Armn Michael J Whelan Publisher: Doire Press (April 2016) www.doirepress.com ISBN: 978-1907682469 Price: €12 - Free World-Wide Shipping Sometimes readers are put off by poetry collections, which seemingly hinge on one theme, the military for example – so let's get something out of the way. Armn Whelan's debut offering "Peacekeeper" has enough variety in its presentation of scenarios, its reportage and its reminiscences to maintain interest and guarantee it many rereading's whether or not the topic war is your usual preference. Much could be made of the unique perspective that Whelan's profession serving in the Irish Defence Forces and as a UN peacekeeper in South Lebanon and Kosovo brings to the subject. But it's as important to realise that the poet's authority comes as much from his own fatherhood and humanity as from his military role. Equally the uses of metaphor and perspective seen throughout the collection are as informed by his other profession, as a military historian. The poems show a respect for the locals as fellow fathers and sons, wives and daughters, tinged with regret at their aggression as combatants in interminable disastrous warfare. Violence directed both toward each other and the peacekeepers. Frequently grim this first collection from Whelan has enough peppering's of beauty to keep it from being a masochistic carnival. There is neither a glorification of war nor a fetishisation of weaponry. Works like "Distant Whisper" and "Through the Steyr AUG…." elegantly point out the near mystical quality of how a gun can undo the miracle of life. Peacekeeper is not a pleasant read, and it shouldn't be. Whelan's is a vivid and unique voice with an insightful vulnerable masculinity. I look forward to reading more in the future. RB peACekeeper author: Marguerite Helmers Publisher: Irish Academic Press (January 2016) irishacademicpress.ie ISBN: 978-0716533085 Price: €26.95 Pages: 264 Ireland is known world-wide for the saying "The Island of Saint's and Scholars". Can one include from Scholars, artists? If so the name of Harry Clarke must be remembered. His stained glass windows and his designs may be found in many of the Bewley's café's in Dublin. Harry Clarke was born in 1889 and he became a highly skilled artist, who originally started his working life as a graphic artist. In 1923 Harry Clarke was given a commission to illustrate the pages of Irelands Memorial Records 1914 – 1918. Three events of importance which involved the Irish Military divisons, Gallipoli, the Easter Rising and the Battle of the Somme. It is surprising that by the time the new Irish Free State evolved, the state went ahead with the War Memorial Records. Of the original 100 sets only 11 sets remain. One set of eight volumes can be seen in the Irish National War Memorial in Islandbridge Dublin. For both tourist and all those who have an interest in both art and military history, a visit to both the Irish National War Memorial in Islandbridge would be a pleasing experience. Both these commemorate works are characterised with decorative margins that reflect the arts and crafts movement with Celtic motifs throughout. His figures are accompanied with familiar symbols of round towers, ruined houses, wolfhounds, gravestones along with the forms of war of that period: infantrymen, trenches and silhouettes of biplanes. Marguerite's book combines rare illustrations with an easy to read written text. SS hArrY CLArke's WAr Illustrations for Ireland's Memorial Records 1914-1918

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