Description
Book SynopsisThis collection of essays by leading scholars and Parnell experts reconsiders Charles Stewart Parnell and the Parnell family legacy in the context of the late nineteenth century and in relation to the development of Irish politics and society in that period. Among the questions reconsidered are what Parnell understood by Home Rule; his attitude to separatism and his position in the nationalist spectrum; his extraordinary relationship with Gladstone; the context and significance of his famous ne plus ultra speech delivered at Cork in January 1885 and his defiant manifesto 'To the Irish people', issued after the O'Shea divorce scandal; and the role of the United Ireland newspaper in his career and his sometimes troubled relationship with the Press generally. New and revealing perspectives are offered on Parnell's attitude to religion; the impact of scandal on his career and reputation; the telling of national myth and the challenge to male authority presented by Anna Parnell and the Ladies Land League; the role of Paris in Parnell family history; and the part played by the drink trade in the nationalist movement and Parnell's skilful response to conflicting demands in this area.These essays, delivered at the Parnell Spring Day and other recent events, show that Parnell is a subject that still evokes curiosity and intrigue. This current volume of essays will appeal to the general history enthusiast and the dedicated scholar alike.
Trade Review'This is a major reassessment of one of the most influential leaders in the making of modern British and Irish politics ... these essays represent an important contribution to the field, and are particularly welcome to scholars interested in Liberalism.'Journal of Liberal History, Winter 2015-16 'This well-crafted selection of essays, edited by Pauric Travers and Donal McCartney, should be seen as a very welcome addition to the bookshelf of Parnell studies. It caters for the general reader as much as the specialist and it could be seen as an ideal and up-to-date introduction to themes in the life and times of Charles Stewart Parnell' Conor Mulvagh, UCD, English Historical Review, August 2015 'This collection engages in an interesting manner with the varied facets of a major political figure in the contexts of Faith, Family and Fatherland which should provide something of interest for scholars of Irish history generally.'Studia Hibernica, 2014 'For Parnellites - and who is not a Parnellite today? - this is a highly recommended collection of essays by some of the leading historians of today's Ireland' Dublin Review of Books, December 2013 'All the presentations in this volume are of interest, indeed some are by important and long established historians. But for this reviewer at least two stand out: Pat Power writing about "The Parnells and Paris", and Fionnuala Waldron on the nuanced matter of the relations of Parnell and his party with the Irish drink trade.' The Irish Catholic, 21 November 2013 'A good volume should offer essays that will contribute to a variety of subfields within the larger topic. Judged by these standards, Parnell Reconsidered passes the test and in doing so demonstrates why these books of specialized essays that might not otherwise appear elsewhere are still important and useful to scholars ... The subject of this volume, Charles Stewart Parnell, the co-called Uncrowned King of Ireland, continues to fascinate.' Victorian Studies, Spring 2016
Table of ContentsNotes on Contributors; Introduction; DONAL McCARTNEY: Parnell and the Meaning of Home Rule; D. G. BOYCE: The Odd Couple? Gladstone, Parnell and Home Rule; Margaret Ward: Anna Parnell: Challenges to Male Authority and the Telling of National Myth; Pauric Travers: Parnell and Religion; Felix M. Larkin: Parnell, Politics and the Press in Ireland, 1875-1924; Myles Dungan: Mr Parnell's Rottweiler: Parnell and United Ireland 1881-1891; Fionnuala Waldron: Defending the Cause: Parnell and the Drink Interest; Pat Power: The Parnells and Paris; Donal McCartney: Parnell and Sexual Scandal; Pauric Travers: The March of the Nation: Parnell's 'ne plus ultra' Speech; Donal McCartney: Parnell's Manifesto to the Irish People; Notes; Index.
