Great Irish Speeches

by Unknown

• ISBN13: 9781847248879
• ISBN10: 184724887X
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 2011-02-01
• Publisher: Quercus

Summary

A stirring anthology of 50 speeches--eulogies and damnations, new beginnings and last words, threats of war and demands for peace--that have shaped Irish history Fifty of the most stirring and memorable speeches in Irish history are collected here--from the political oratories of Charles Stewart Parnell, Michael Collins, and Eamon De Valera to emotive addresses by the nation's celebrated poets, writers, and musicians. All of the included speeches have had a remarkable impact on the course of Irish and world history. The oratorical skills of the greatest names in Irish politics and culture are here: Henry Grattan, Daniel O'Connell, Charles Stewart Parnell, Michael Collins, W. B. Yeats, Eamon de Valera, John F. Kennedy, and Seamus Heaney, to name but a few. Each speech is preceded by an introduction, which places the address in context and underlines its historical significance, as well as an iconic photograph of the speaker. Presented chronologically, the collection provides tremendous insight into Irish history.

Author Biography

Richard Aldous is the head of the School of History and Archives at University College, Dublin. He contributes to the Irish Times and is the author of The Lion and the Unicorn. Colm Toibin is an award-winning novelist. He is the author of numerous books, including Brooklyn, which was longlisted for the Booker Prize and won the 2009 Costa Novel Award