The Irish Myth of the Second World War

The Irish Myth of the Second World War
ISBN-10
1474261817
ISBN-13
9781474261814
Category
Electronic books
Pages
272
Language
English
Published
2021
Author
Bernard Kelly

Description

Existing at the intersection of military history, literary criticism, social history and film studies, The Irish Myth of the Second World War challenges the dominant conception of Ireland's actions during the Second World War. While other European neutrals fostered myths of unity and solidarity during the Second World War, Eire constructed a mixed narrative of pride at neutrality combined with an eagerness to claim an Irish contribution to Allied victory. An estimated 70,000 people from Eire joined the British armed forces during the Second World War; their presence allowed the de Valera government to claim that that Irish neutrality had been beneficial to the Allies. Thus the Irish war myth depicts Eire as simultaneously within and outside the war, maintaining neutrality while assisting the Allies to victory. Instead, Bernard Kelly argues that this is a false construction. This book demonstrates how the Irish conception of the war has largely assimilated the main aspects of the British war myth, which has been transmitted into Ireland through British films, television and publications, while also adding specifically Irish dimensions to it. He argues that once the Northern Ireland conflict moved towards a political solution, Irish participation in the Second World War was inevitably held up as an example of British-Irish and North-South cooperation, and in the process the veteran's story of the war has been almost completely adopted by the Irish public. This is an important contribution to the history of the Second World War.

Other editions

Similar books

  • Police Street Powers and Criminal Justice: Regulation and Discretion in a Time of Change
    By Geoffrey Pearson, Michael Rowe

    When we started the fieldwork, Radio Control Room staff were dedicated to working with one geographical area. They knew the patch and they also knew the ...

  • Wolf Mountains: A History of Wolves Along the Great Divide
    By Karen R. Jones

    See letter from J. Smart to R. Gibson, 11 February 1948, RG109, vol. 409, file WLU.266-1, PAC. 168 Letter from Gibson to Callison, 25 March 1949, RG109, vol. 409, file VVLU.266-1, PAC.

  • Nursing Ethics
    By Janie B. Butts, Karen L. Rich

    The last ethical issue, the fifth group, is inheritable genetic modification (IGM), which is a procedure used to modify genes along the germ lines that are transmitted to offspring (Frankel, 2003). Stem-cell research could help prevent ...

  • The Facts on File Companion to the French Novel
    By Karen L. Taylor

    He is principally remembered today for his plays. FURTHER READING Becker, Lucille Frackman. Henry de Montherlant: A Critical Biography. Carbondale: Southern Illinois University Press, 1970. Gerrard, Charlotte Frankel.

  • National Security and Preparedness: Issues, Developments, and Analyses
    By Thomas A. Donahue

    This book examines the national security and preparedness issues, developments and analyses facing the U.S. today.

  • A Physiological Limits Database for Arctic and Subarctic Aquatic Species

    The primary objective in this study is to collate knowledge of species responses to single and multiple stressors into an Aquatic Species Physiological Limits (ASPL) database, which will be updated over time.

  • Islam: Questions and Answers: Islamic History and Biography
    By Muhammad Saed Abdul-Rahman

    ... the month of Ramadaan was enjoined in Sha'baan 2 AH, and that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) fasted nine Ramadaans, because he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) died in Rabee' al-Awwal 11 AH.

  • Kilmeny of the Orchard
    By Lucy Maud Montgomery

    A schoolteacher on Prince Edward Island falls in love with a beautiful reclusive girl who plays the violin exquisitely, but is mysteriously unable to speak.

  • Clive Barker's Hellraiser: The Road Below
    By Clive Barker

    This collected edition of the hit mini-series reveals Kirsty's first days in Hell, and how the road there is always paved with good intentions.

  • 市场营销学
    By 杨慧, 吴志军

    本书包括现代营销新观念,市场分析,市场营销环境,市场调查,市场预测,消费者行为研究,市场细分化战略,名牌战略等内容。