Product Description

For the first time, The Times brings together a unique collection of obituaries of Ireland's most distinguished individuals from the last two centuries. The Irish have richly contributed to the world stage most notably in literature and politics but also in art, dance, music, film, religion, science and sport. The obituaries featured in this collection include: Oscar Wilde James Joyce Lady Gregory Thomas Moore W.B.Yeats Samuel Beckett Charles Parnell Michael Collins Countess Markievicz Eamon de Valera George Best Maureen Potter Eamon Andrews Cyril Cusack The obituaries are reproduced substantially as they were printed at the time. Dubliner, Charles Lysaght, long-time contributor of Irish obituaries to The Times, has selected the subjects for inclusion in consultation with Ian Brunskill, the newspaper's obituaries editor.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #50068 in Books
• Published on: 2009-08-06
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 362 pages

Customer Reviews

A balanced view of recent Irish history.
I have researched and written several books concerning most of the period covered by this book so I am well acquainted with the subjects described in it. It consists of 98 obituaries of Irish persons which were originally printed in The Times of London, England. The earliest is of Henry Grattan which appeared on 6 June 1820; the last Nuala O'Faolain which appeared on 21 May 2008.The editor is Charles Lysaght who has been an obituarist for The Times for 40 years.
One is struck by the broad sweep of his collection.Too often Irish history has been reduced to an account of the struggle for independence, a common enough feature in newly independent countries. The major political figures on both nationalist and unionist sides are here and their lives are recounted in admirably restrained language. But Lysaght resurrects many Irish people, notable in their day, in many aspects of Irish life. One delights to see Lord Pirrie who commissioned the Olympic and Titanic though regrettably Edward Harland and Gustav Wolff who built them could not be included. If he represents shipping and engineering, the earl of Rosse represents science and technology. The telescope he constructed was for many years the largest in the world, and he invented the techniques for making it.
Literature as one might expect is well represented from Moore to Beckett. There are four cardinals, no surprise there.Though Cardinal Gibbons of Baltimore, Maryland, represents the Irish diaspora. Only one Protestant archbishop,Archbishop Gregg, though the greatest of the all, Archbishop Whately did not qualify because he was English. George Best the footballer,John McCormack the singer, Evie Hone who developed stained glass, Michael O'Hehir the broadcaster, Sir Horace Plunkett who developed the co-operative movement and did more good to Ireland than any politician, and many more.
A book to add to your Christmas present list