The "Catholic Bulletin" and Republican Ireland with Special Reference to J.J.O'Kelly (Sceilg) Book

An analysis of the different strands in the Irish national & cultural movements of the early 20th century. This book analyses the development of different strands in the Irish national and cultural movements of the early years of the 20th century. From extensive and meticulous research Dr. Murphy provides new insights on the relationship between these tendencies and their evolution. He sets the record straight and challenges assumptions made by a number of the early revisionist historians. He focuses on the role of a key, but underrated, figure in that movement - J.J. O'Kelly, known as 'Sceilg'- and in particular on his role as editor of The Catholic Bulletin in the crucial post-1916 period. O'Kelly was also President of the Gaelic League (1919-22) and Acting Chairman of Dail Eireann (1919-21). For its trenchant and well-argued justification of the Rising and the case it made for Independence to people at home and abroad the Bulletin was once described as "Ireland's heavy artillery". That seems a most apt description of it.Read More