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Dirty Linen: The Troubles in My Home Place
Martin Doyle, Books Editor of The Irish Times, offers a personal, intimate history of the Troubles seen through the microcosm of a single rural parish, his own, part of both the Linen Triangle – heartland of the North’s defining industry – and the Murder Triangle – the Badlands devastated by paramilitary violence. He lifts the veil of silence drawn over the horrors of the past, recording in heartrending detail the terrible toll the conflict took – more than twenty violent deaths in a few square miles – and the long tail of trauma it has left behind.
Neighbours and classmates who lost loved ones in the conflict, survivors maimed in bomb attacks and victims of sectarianism, both Catholic and Protestant, entrust Doyle with their stories. Writing with a literary sensibility, he skillfully shows how the once dominant local linen industry serves as a metaphor for communal division but also for the solidarity that transcended the sectarian divide. To those who might ask why you would want to reopen old wounds, the answer might be that some wounds have never been allowed to heal.
Neighbours and classmates who lost loved ones in the conflict, survivors maimed in bomb attacks and victims of sectarianism, both Catholic and Protestant, entrust Doyle with their stories. Writing with a literary sensibility, he skillfully shows how the once dominant local linen industry serves as a metaphor for communal division but also for the solidarity that transcended the sectarian divide. To those who might ask why you would want to reopen old wounds, the answer might be that some wounds have never been allowed to heal.
417 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 15, 2023
40 people are currently reading
466 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
January 10, 2024
Heart-rending account of life in the middle of a civil war. It could just be my watching and reading habits, but it seems a lot of media about this era focuses on either the politicians or the terrorists. Doyle’s choice to foreground the victims makes this a vital addition to the record of The Troubles.
Doyle is a very sharp writer, though the linen motif occasionally felt forced. But that’s nitpicking, since his voice is much less prominent than the victims, survivors and families he speaks to.
Doyle is a very sharp writer, though the linen motif occasionally felt forced. But that’s nitpicking, since his voice is much less prominent than the victims, survivors and families he speaks to.
March 18, 2024
Informative and harrowing as most personal accounts of this are.
As a heads up for non-familiar readers: there is a significant lack of introduction for almost all of the acronyms, and some paragraphs are just incomprehensible because of it. I am sure it is nowhere near as confusing domestically. Do yourself a favor and write a cheat sheet for which acronyms are armies, cops, paramilitary groups and whatnot. I did sincerely appreciate the book and although it made me incredibly sad it was an enlightening glimpse at how widespread the trauma related to the troubles is.
At first, I could not understand the structure of the book as it just felt like an anthology of tragedy. But a few stories in, when names start connecting and you are realizing how many funerals these families went to, how many neighbors and familiar faces were killed. Then on top of that to be told names, not numbers, of people that veered hard into radicalism as a result of trauma, who moved on, and who broke down resonates in a way I was not anticipating. Memoirs don't usually have so much of other people's words, but it builds a deeply personal environment that makes the deaths you know are coming all the more devastating.
Tl;DR: Sad but in the way it should be. If you are not super familiar with the troubles look up acronyms.
As a heads up for non-familiar readers: there is a significant lack of introduction for almost all of the acronyms, and some paragraphs are just incomprehensible because of it. I am sure it is nowhere near as confusing domestically. Do yourself a favor and write a cheat sheet for which acronyms are armies, cops, paramilitary groups and whatnot. I did sincerely appreciate the book and although it made me incredibly sad it was an enlightening glimpse at how widespread the trauma related to the troubles is.
At first, I could not understand the structure of the book as it just felt like an anthology of tragedy. But a few stories in, when names start connecting and you are realizing how many funerals these families went to, how many neighbors and familiar faces were killed. Then on top of that to be told names, not numbers, of people that veered hard into radicalism as a result of trauma, who moved on, and who broke down resonates in a way I was not anticipating. Memoirs don't usually have so much of other people's words, but it builds a deeply personal environment that makes the deaths you know are coming all the more devastating.
Tl;DR: Sad but in the way it should be. If you are not super familiar with the troubles look up acronyms.
January 15, 2024
Simply brilliant.
I'm uncertain if my admiration for this book stems from my association, being from Banbridge, or my lack of direct involvement in what went on during my lifetime. Like many, the author included, I left Ireland for England, although I have been home since 2001, and "missed" the dark days of the 70's and 80's. Although I had family still living in the area, thankfully no direct pain was suffered, although every report from home was scanned and checked, just in case.
Martin and the personal stories opened up my eyes to the realities, the people, just like you and me, affected on a daily basis. One over-riding thought seemed to span the different reactions - one of sadness, and ordinariness. Thank you Martin for writing this, and thank you to everyone involved in telling their stories, and the stories of their families.
I'm uncertain if my admiration for this book stems from my association, being from Banbridge, or my lack of direct involvement in what went on during my lifetime. Like many, the author included, I left Ireland for England, although I have been home since 2001, and "missed" the dark days of the 70's and 80's. Although I had family still living in the area, thankfully no direct pain was suffered, although every report from home was scanned and checked, just in case.
Martin and the personal stories opened up my eyes to the realities, the people, just like you and me, affected on a daily basis. One over-riding thought seemed to span the different reactions - one of sadness, and ordinariness. Thank you Martin for writing this, and thank you to everyone involved in telling their stories, and the stories of their families.
February 28, 2024
Feels like it should almost be mandatory to read
April 9, 2025
I enjoyed this book IMMENSELY. I’ve tried diligently to find something - anything - that would convey or justify a negative rating and just couldn’t finds anything. I’m sure others have and will but for me it was bliss. It did help me realize something though. I have a problem. I guess admitting it is half the battle. I seem to give five stars to most books if they’re about my genre of choice. Anything to do with Ireland, old or new, but especially if it’s about the struggle for independence or The Troubles. I’m Irish Catholic from South Boston, third generation Irish-American and grew up as The Troubles were unfolding in real time. It was daily conversation at home, at school, basically everywhere. On Sundays after Mass I’d help my Grandfather collect “The tithing fah ova da schook” at the fifteen or siixteen pubs locally, a couple Irish social clubs and a small grocer that served our neighborhood (and offered lines of credit when times were tough. All kept track of in a giant, old, leather covered dusty ledger). My apologies for waxing nostalgic but that’s what these books do for me. They feed some weird craving to connect with my past and the post of my ancestors that all stimulate mind incredibly.
If you want an honest, intelligent, well written book that will make feel some sort of way, maybe that you’ve not felt before, I highly recommend this book.
If you want an honest, intelligent, well written book that will make feel some sort of way, maybe that you’ve not felt before, I highly recommend this book.
January 24, 2025
A wonderfully heartbreaking book about the tragedy of The Troubles. Woven into each story is resilience, love and forgiveness. It is also a lesson on dealing with trauma in any post conflict area so the next generation doesn’t suffer from things they don’t even know they carry.
November 27, 2023
An interesting and detailed personal recount of the Troubles based on the experiences of Martin Doyle in his local parish. I was initially drawn to this as it is set within a few miles of my own town. I loved all the local details, and it has clearly been well researched. The personal touches made this recount full of heart. He gives a balanced account of people from both Catholic and Protestant backgrounds and highlights how the violence is senseless from all sides. The trauma is far-reaching, and the loss of talented people like the murdered journalist and writer Lyra McKee have robbed our country of its future. This audiobook is an intriguing and sensitively narrated history. #dirtylinen #Martindoyle #netgalley #audiobook #wfh
November 5, 2023
A great read
A very different interesting book detailing the history of the troubles in a particular Parish in Co Down. Not only does it revisit what happened but it explores the hurt and feelings of both victims and family members and friends. How lives have been changed as a result of awful tragic events.
A very different interesting book detailing the history of the troubles in a particular Parish in Co Down. Not only does it revisit what happened but it explores the hurt and feelings of both victims and family members and friends. How lives have been changed as a result of awful tragic events.
June 20, 2024
Heartbreaking stories of the Troubles and the trauma of the survivors. Doyle writes that his research resulted in less patience with the apologists on all sides. No cause deserved the sacrifice of any one of the people he chronicles, and the "whole life tariffs" of their families, friends, and the bystanders of the Troubles like myself.
January 8, 2024
What a good book. Very sad most of the time but the Irish love of family shines through.
Other reviews are better than what I could say.
Helped me to feel the pain of the poor families that lost loved ones.
Not a political book and for that I'm grateful.
Other reviews are better than what I could say.
Helped me to feel the pain of the poor families that lost loved ones.
Not a political book and for that I'm grateful.
November 20, 2023
Needs an editor
The content of this book is interesting however it would have benefited from a thorough edit.
The writer rambles all over the place.
The content of this book is interesting however it would have benefited from a thorough edit.
The writer rambles all over the place.
November 6, 2023
Given the subject matter of this title, it’s difficult to say I enjoyed this book. I’m not Irish or religious, but over some decades from the 1970’s onwards, watched and read news of the conflict in Northern Ireland with an increasing sense of despair. I found it difficult to understand how such hatred could exist and how so many innocent lives were being lost to the most appalling acts of violence, during peacetime in Britain.
Martin Doyle is a gifted writer; the narrative never fails and his experiences have brought a vivid life to what, at times, is very difficult text. I was mesmerised from the start. I had no idea that the divides went back as far as the mid 1600’s. Nor did I understand the part the linen industry played in communities already divided by religion. It was fascinating and an incredibly eloquent piece of social history. It’s clear that Mr Doyle is an individual of integrity in that he’s gained the trust of people who have previously been silent about events and what they knew. Using the setting of his small hometown, he’s brought local knowledge to play in a way that really hits home. The violence feels intimate and personal and I’m an outsider. The simmering threat is ever present and the freedoms we take for granted weren’t part of daily life in a country torn by bitterness, anger and hatred.
This is a searing account. It’s one I’d include on any curriculum because it’s balanced, honest and raises so many questions. I’ve learned so much from the insight provided and if you have any interest in social history, I’d urge you to read this book. A genuinely eye opening story and I’d love to read more by this writer. The narration throughout is excellent; well paced and delivered consistently. My sincere thanks for a review copy from the publisher via Netgalley.
Martin Doyle is a gifted writer; the narrative never fails and his experiences have brought a vivid life to what, at times, is very difficult text. I was mesmerised from the start. I had no idea that the divides went back as far as the mid 1600’s. Nor did I understand the part the linen industry played in communities already divided by religion. It was fascinating and an incredibly eloquent piece of social history. It’s clear that Mr Doyle is an individual of integrity in that he’s gained the trust of people who have previously been silent about events and what they knew. Using the setting of his small hometown, he’s brought local knowledge to play in a way that really hits home. The violence feels intimate and personal and I’m an outsider. The simmering threat is ever present and the freedoms we take for granted weren’t part of daily life in a country torn by bitterness, anger and hatred.
This is a searing account. It’s one I’d include on any curriculum because it’s balanced, honest and raises so many questions. I’ve learned so much from the insight provided and if you have any interest in social history, I’d urge you to read this book. A genuinely eye opening story and I’d love to read more by this writer. The narration throughout is excellent; well paced and delivered consistently. My sincere thanks for a review copy from the publisher via Netgalley.
March 19, 2025
Dirty Linen was one of my non-fiction picks for March and I absolutely loved this heartbreaking book. Dirty Linen is a book that delves into the impact the troubles had on a community in a rural parish of Tullylish in County Down. Tullylish was part of both the Linen triangle, the heartland of the north's defining industry and of the murder triangle an area devastated by paramilitary violence. The author Martin Doyle grew up here in the troubles and also includes his own and his family's experiences of living there in a time of turmoil. He lifts the veil of the silence drawn over the horrors of the past and the trauma it left behind, still generations later.
The book is extremely insightful into the lives of the people in the north regardless of religion as Martin depicts the atrocities that happen to both Catholics and Protestants in this book. He shows how it impacted the everyday lives and the strange things people in the north would do to ensure their safety - including leaving someone to mind the car when you went shopping to make sure someone wouldn't leave a car bomb. But he mentions things like this like their normal, which they were for people who lived in the north. He also clearly depicts the worry and the anxiety of someone being back late and how your mind would automatically go to something terrible has happened to them. Something I found in the interviews is that there was a clear sense and awareness of your own mortality due to all the horrific things happening around them.
Overall, a fantastic but harrowing account of the Northern Ireland troubles. A book I would definitely recommend to see the impact on people who just wanted to live a normal life away from the constant violence.
Favourite quotes:
" A veil of silence has been drawn over the horrors of the past."
" Bereavement in the early days is like being caught in a flood."
"Memories can be both precious and painful, like walking barefoot on diamonds."
The book is extremely insightful into the lives of the people in the north regardless of religion as Martin depicts the atrocities that happen to both Catholics and Protestants in this book. He shows how it impacted the everyday lives and the strange things people in the north would do to ensure their safety - including leaving someone to mind the car when you went shopping to make sure someone wouldn't leave a car bomb. But he mentions things like this like their normal, which they were for people who lived in the north. He also clearly depicts the worry and the anxiety of someone being back late and how your mind would automatically go to something terrible has happened to them. Something I found in the interviews is that there was a clear sense and awareness of your own mortality due to all the horrific things happening around them.
Overall, a fantastic but harrowing account of the Northern Ireland troubles. A book I would definitely recommend to see the impact on people who just wanted to live a normal life away from the constant violence.
Favourite quotes:
" A veil of silence has been drawn over the horrors of the past."
" Bereavement in the early days is like being caught in a flood."
"Memories can be both precious and painful, like walking barefoot on diamonds."
June 5, 2024
The adage encourages us (to paraphrase it) to think globally act locally. This is what Martin Doyle achieves in this work. The pain of his experiences and of those related to him, are plainly written for all to see. In one small parish, slap bang in the middle of a notorious murder zone for 3 decades the pain and suffering shared out by indiscriminate murder and counter murder is hard to stomach but necessary to recall and, hopefully learn from. The author makes no distinction between the people left behind to deal with the devastation of ruined lives be they from a unionist or nationalist, Irish or British background. All pain is the same as are the consequences.
At page 338 he quotes Ed O'Loughlin "Everyone who was here, will always be here. Everyone who has been loved will have been loved forever. There is permanence in that, a ghost in the grammar." Enough said.
At page 338 he quotes Ed O'Loughlin "Everyone who was here, will always be here. Everyone who has been loved will have been loved forever. There is permanence in that, a ghost in the grammar." Enough said.
November 26, 2024
I have read many books about The Troubles in Northern Ireland, and this is, by far, the best I have read. Martin Doyle is currently editor of the book section of the Irish Times. He grew up in a small town in Northern Ireland. This is the story of his hometown and surrounding area, and what happened there during The Troubles. He talks to the families of people who were killed including people from both his Catholic community, as well as Protestant community. He includes stories of a soldier, a nurse, and a policeman who died. He portrays the peace and friendships that existed between people of both faiths before and into the Troubles. Above all he listens deeply.
This amazing book is unfortunately only available as an audiobook in the US. But having a physical copy of this book is likely best. I have both.
This amazing book is unfortunately only available as an audiobook in the US. But having a physical copy of this book is likely best. I have both.
November 29, 2023
Incredibly moving, Doyle is a gifted author.
Not many troubles related books display the compassion shown by Doyle. I hope more writers begin to write like him.
Not many troubles related books display the compassion shown by Doyle. I hope more writers begin to write like him.
December 3, 2023
Harrowing but incredible read. Any romantic notions about the troubles will be shattered by this account of the Tullylish area and what went on
December 13, 2023
A Subject To Be Heard
A truly inspiring book. So well and sympathetically written .The victims voices can at last be heard and their courage is applauded.
A truly inspiring book. So well and sympathetically written .The victims voices can at last be heard and their courage is applauded.
February 11, 2024
An incredible book that humanises abstract discussions about Northern Ireland's politics.
March 25, 2024
Audio version
July 17, 2024
Exceptional treatment of the Troubles
January 7, 2025
An astonishing memoir of life during The Troubles - a time in my history that I know little about. This account has given me a desire to learn more.
Read
January 10, 2026Such an effective telling of the destruction The Troubles brought to ordinary peoples lives, shining a light on the victims not the perpetrators of the violence 👍🏼
August 13, 2024
Martin Doyle has written the story of his locality (a linen producing area on the Down/Armagh border) with tremendous compassion and honesty. There is great skill in how Martin Doyle weaves his own voice with the testimonies of victims/victims’ families, neighbours and friends into the story of Tullylish. Those voices depict the minutiae of people’s everyday lives from the 1970s to the 1990s –their humour, their daily grind – lives then wrecked, the utter pain and devastation. The interviews hit home with the reader more than any obituary or third-person narration – they make the victims real people and the pain of those left behind visceral.
Martin Doyle is a straight-talking, humane, compassionate and sensitive narrator and he intertwines his research with his own memories and his neighbours’ voices , paying tremendous attention to detail, creating a tableau that is also an important social history of the era. Strangely when not being shocked (gobsmacked) at the sheer hatred that abounded or the implications of collusion or pained at the horror and grief experienced on both sides there was also a strange nostalgia trip for the picture of my own childhood, being of Martin Doyle’s age cohort and having a familiarity with the area it being the homeplace of my Granny.
This book should be on the school curriculum in Northern Ireland so that youngsters who see the Troubles through rose-tinted glasses might know the painful truth. It is a totally compelling book – I wept reading it but couldn’t put it down. Even coming from the North and living through the Troubles, the sectarian hatred shocks. We needed a book like this to reveal us to ourselves, to see ourselves through a glass darkly. I cannot recommend it enough to those who want to understand the North and the Troubles.
Martin Doyle is a straight-talking, humane, compassionate and sensitive narrator and he intertwines his research with his own memories and his neighbours’ voices , paying tremendous attention to detail, creating a tableau that is also an important social history of the era. Strangely when not being shocked (gobsmacked) at the sheer hatred that abounded or the implications of collusion or pained at the horror and grief experienced on both sides there was also a strange nostalgia trip for the picture of my own childhood, being of Martin Doyle’s age cohort and having a familiarity with the area it being the homeplace of my Granny.
This book should be on the school curriculum in Northern Ireland so that youngsters who see the Troubles through rose-tinted glasses might know the painful truth. It is a totally compelling book – I wept reading it but couldn’t put it down. Even coming from the North and living through the Troubles, the sectarian hatred shocks. We needed a book like this to reveal us to ourselves, to see ourselves through a glass darkly. I cannot recommend it enough to those who want to understand the North and the Troubles.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews