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Liam Mellows, Soldier of the Irish Republic: Selected Writings, 1914–1922
This landmark study of the life of republican leader Liam Mellows brings together letters, speeches, political writings and captured IRA documents to explore his short but dramatic life.
Mellows was at the forefront of the republican movement in Ireland from its inception. Following the Easter Rising, he spent four years as the IRA’s representative in New York, attempted to import arms into Ireland, was jailed, and – worst of all – branded an informer by the Mayor of New York.
Arriving back in Ireland in 1920, Mellows was responsible for the importation of arms for the republican forces during the Independence struggle. Bitterly opposed to the Anglo-Irish Treaty, he became an implacable opponent of Michael Collins, and his role in helping form the anti-Treaty IRA in 1922 contributed to the outbreak of the Civil War.
Mellows’ execution in December 1922 was among the most divisive acts of the new Irish state, and he remains an enigmatic icon for Irish republicans. Liam Mellows, Soldier of the Irish Republic, examines his beliefs, his fraught personal relationships and political betrayals, and sheds new light on his struggle in the face of seemingly overwhelming odds.
Mellows was at the forefront of the republican movement in Ireland from its inception. Following the Easter Rising, he spent four years as the IRA’s representative in New York, attempted to import arms into Ireland, was jailed, and – worst of all – branded an informer by the Mayor of New York.
Arriving back in Ireland in 1920, Mellows was responsible for the importation of arms for the republican forces during the Independence struggle. Bitterly opposed to the Anglo-Irish Treaty, he became an implacable opponent of Michael Collins, and his role in helping form the anti-Treaty IRA in 1922 contributed to the outbreak of the Civil War.
Mellows’ execution in December 1922 was among the most divisive acts of the new Irish state, and he remains an enigmatic icon for Irish republicans. Liam Mellows, Soldier of the Irish Republic, examines his beliefs, his fraught personal relationships and political betrayals, and sheds new light on his struggle in the face of seemingly overwhelming odds.
- GenresIreland
200 pages, Paperback
Published September 26, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 7, 2022
the actual content of Mellows writings seem to me to be totally at odds with a lot of what mcnamara claims for them, particularly in the closing bit of axe-grinding, which is always an unfortunate thing for historians to indulge in.
i'd agree with him that greaves over-emphasises the extent of mellows' socialism and it is perhaps in response that mcnamara bends the stick far too far in the opposite direction. unfortunately greaves' biography is now hard to get a physical copy of, so i'm concerned that this volume will contribute to a distorted portrait of the man.
fortunately mellows' writings and political development are quite clear from the writings here and its reasonably obvious that his Republicanism was moving him in a socialist direction, both when he was in the US in reaction to the bourgeois inclinations of Irish-America. once imprisoned if not before Mellows knew that the working class, as distinct from the conciliatory labour movement, would be crucial to challenging the Free State. at the very least Mellows understood exactly what the Free State ruling class was and what it would become; the Irish left would do well to rediscover his insights
i'd agree with him that greaves over-emphasises the extent of mellows' socialism and it is perhaps in response that mcnamara bends the stick far too far in the opposite direction. unfortunately greaves' biography is now hard to get a physical copy of, so i'm concerned that this volume will contribute to a distorted portrait of the man.
fortunately mellows' writings and political development are quite clear from the writings here and its reasonably obvious that his Republicanism was moving him in a socialist direction, both when he was in the US in reaction to the bourgeois inclinations of Irish-America. once imprisoned if not before Mellows knew that the working class, as distinct from the conciliatory labour movement, would be crucial to challenging the Free State. at the very least Mellows understood exactly what the Free State ruling class was and what it would become; the Irish left would do well to rediscover his insights
December 10, 2019
If it were possible to rate Conor McNamara's "contributions" separately from Mellows' writings, I would apply 1 star to the former.
Despite the title, this is in reality only half a collection of Selected Writings. Much of the content of the book is taken up by McNamara's pathetic and obvious attempts to wreck the memory of Liam Mellows, to bury him and what he represents.
The reality of Mellows as a socialist republican is muddled and denigrated at every stage. In it's place McNamara portrays Mellows as nothing more than a single minded catholic fanatic, with contempt for democracy, the people and the "compromise" that Free State revisionists pursue in their relentless quest to keep Ireland a subservient vassal state to imperialism. McNamara cannot even bring himself to say Mellows was a socialist!
I would not recommend buying this book, it being far better to deprive it's Free Stater author of any funds for this hack work, but if you were to do so I would recommend excising his "commentary" with scissors, and reading only Mellows' writings.
Despite the title, this is in reality only half a collection of Selected Writings. Much of the content of the book is taken up by McNamara's pathetic and obvious attempts to wreck the memory of Liam Mellows, to bury him and what he represents.
The reality of Mellows as a socialist republican is muddled and denigrated at every stage. In it's place McNamara portrays Mellows as nothing more than a single minded catholic fanatic, with contempt for democracy, the people and the "compromise" that Free State revisionists pursue in their relentless quest to keep Ireland a subservient vassal state to imperialism. McNamara cannot even bring himself to say Mellows was a socialist!
I would not recommend buying this book, it being far better to deprive it's Free Stater author of any funds for this hack work, but if you were to do so I would recommend excising his "commentary" with scissors, and reading only Mellows' writings.
February 1, 2021
A good account of various writing from Liam Mellows. The book has a bit of biography surrounding the man, which definitely enhances the speeches, letters and articles included. Overall the read was quite enjoyable and very well laid out. The writings show that Liam Mellows was a staunch and romantic man, completely enthralled of a true free Ireland. That strong belief may have resulted in his ultimate execution, but without men like him, a free irish nation wouldn't have been possible.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews