An in-depth study of the most significant Irish clergyman in the history of the state For three decades, 1940-72, as Archbishop of Dublin and Primate of Ireland, John Charles McQuaid imposed his iron will on Irish politicians and instilled fear among his clergy and laity. No other churchman amassed the religious, political and social power which he exercised with unscrupulous severity. An admirer of the FBI's J. Edgar Hoover, Archbishop McQuaid built up a vigilante system that spied on politicians and priests, workers and students, doctors and lawyers, nuns and nurses, soldiers and trade unionists. There was no room for dissent when John Charles spoke in the name of Jesus Christ. This power was used to build up a Catholic-dominated state in which Protestants, Jews and feminists were not welcome.

A biography reaching behind the myths of John Charles McQuaid, Archbishop of Dublin, and describes how the dream of Pope John's Council was lived out through him and the 800,000 Catholics in his archdiocese.

A very candid and passionate reflection on the priestly life of Martin Tierney.

The purpose of this book is to present a comprehensive explanation of the origins, development and decline of vocationalism in twentieth-century Ireland. Vocationalism, based on papal social teaching, featured prominently in social Catholicism through the 1930s and 40s. The vocationalist lobby demanded radical reforms which, if realized, would have replaced the political, economic and social structure of Irish national life with corporatist organizations based on Roman Catholic social principles. In the newly independent southern Irish state, with its large Catholic majority, vocationalism attracted significant support and the extent of its popular appeal in the 1930s is reflected by the inclusion of vocationalist provisions in the Constitution of Ireland (1937). The popularization of vocationalist ideas occurred against a background of momentous political developments. Popularization, however, did not lead to spontaneous proliferation and growth of vocational organizations. Despite the difficulties which confronted them, the vocationalists persisted with their demands, attempting to persuade successive Irish governments to implement their recommendations. This book examines the outcome of their protracted campaign, focusing in particular on the attitude of Ã?Â?Ã?Â?amon de Valera.

Includes section "Review of books."

"Of course, I wrote most of the Constitution myself. I remember hesitating for a long time over the American Presidential system. But it wouldn't have done - we were too trained in English democracy to sit down under a dictatorship, which is what the American system really is - Ministers not responsible to parliament - that would never do. Besides, I wanted to prepare a nice quiet job without too much work for my old age.... Still, I admit I was tempted - look at the way de Gaulle rules France...absolute rule...very efficient." - Eamon de Valera, Churchill College Cambridge Archives, Gilchrist Papers *** Eamon de Valera has often been characterized as a stern, unbending, devious, and divisive Irish politician. But how valid is this caricature? In Judging Dev, author Diarmaid Ferriter re-examines de Valera's life and legacy. The book contains an in-depth analysis of the impact of de Valera and includes many previously unpublished key letters, documents, and photographs from the National Archives of Ireland and the University College Dublin, School of History and Archives to chronicle the extraordinary career of the most significant politician of modern Irish history and his role in the history of the Irish state.

In the course of a long life as secondary teacher, priest journalist, author of books on theology and Catholic life, especially on the papacy, As an ecumenist from days long before Vatican II, when it was not officially encouraged, Fr O'Carroll has b

This volume, covering entries A-O, presents the history and culture of Ireland, from the earliest times down to the present day.

The definitive account of how de Valera's 1937 constitution evolved.

More than just a study of Irish documentary film, this book is a study of Ireland itself - of how the idea of Ireland evolved throughout the 20th century and how documentary cinema both recorded and participated in the process of change.