The Spy in the Castle

by David Neligan

The Spy in the Castle explores an important dimension of the Irish War of Independence and it is a significant historical document. Irish history for many years after independence shied away from the bloody reality of guerilla warfare, prefering to focus on the almost-glamorous exploits of the men of the Flying Columns or those who took part in the set-piece battles with Black and Tans or Auxiliaries. David Neligan's account tells of back-street shootings, ambushes and assassinations. When he wrote it in the late 1960s few could have anticipated that the same sordid script would shortly be played out again in Northern Ireland. The Spy in the Castle refers to events more than 70 years ago. But in a way, it is also a contemporary tale of Ireland.

Genres: History

189 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1999

Reviews

[J.J. Toner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Of immense value to anyone interested in the period 1916-1922 in Ireland, where the British ruled with the 'black and tans', G-branch, the 'auxiliries', and an iron fist. David Neligan, a member of the Dublin Metropolitan Police and then a G-man, spied for the republican leader, Michael Collins. Neligan later joined MI5 while continuing as an IRA fifth columnist.

If the book is to believed, Neligan's lofty moral position never wavered and was never challenged by events. The content of the book is anodyne and hardly credible, given the uncompromising nature of the conflict at the time. Atrocities by both sides were daily occurrences. The book reads like an issue of 'boy's own', full of merry japes and lucky escapes as our intrepid spy outwitted the brits at every turn. But still valuable and interesting as an historical record.