Description
Book Synopsis"Michael Collins rose to his feet. In repose his eyes glimmer softly and with humour. When aroused they narrow - hard, intense and relentless. He speaks like this. One or two words. Then he pauses to think. His speech does not flow in a stream as it does in the case of Eamon de Valera. Yet from not one word is firmness absent." This work provides eye-witness accounts by two reporters from the Irish Independent newspaper of the historic Treaty debates of Dail Eireann, held in University College Dublin's Earlsfort Terrace building in December 1921 and January 1922. Eamon de Valera, Michael Collins, Arthur Griffith and a host of other participants come to life. The colourful descriptions of the scene and of the reactions to speeches, written while the debates were in progress, are far more revealing than the published record of the debates.
Trade Review"If journalism is the first draft of history, Free State or Republic constitutes primary source material." Irish Times Jan 2003 "Among the many strengths of this superb, highly recommended study is Quinn's deep knowledge of Stevens's life and Pennsylvania background." CHOICE Jan 2003 "University College Dublin Press has now published over thirty 'Classics of Irish History'. These contemporary accounts by well known personalities of historical events and attitudes have an immediacy that conventional histories do not have. Introductions by modern historians provide additional historical background and, with hindsight, objectivity." Books Ireland Nov 2007 "Scholars of nineteenth-century Irish and Irish-American politics should reacquaint themselves with these classics, part of a long running and immensely useful series from University College Dublin Press." Irish Literary Supplement Fall 2008
Table of ContentsAn Dail assembles; the treaty moved; lady creates a scene; Alderman Cosgrave's humour; a day of fervid oratory; after the recess; a dramatic scene; a day of sensations; De Valera's resignation; the fateful division; De Valera's defeat for presidency; Griffith elected president; ard-chomhairle; treaty formally ratified; the division.
