A new book, Towards Commemoration: Ireland in War and Revolution, 1912-1923, considers Ireland’s experience of the First World War and aims “to make a constructive contribution to the emerging debate on centenary commemoration”.
Towards Commemoration is edited by John Horne and Edward Madigan and comprises 18 essays by a diverse group of historians, civic activists, political representatives and media commentators including Ian Adamson, Fintan O’Toole and Jay Winter
Dr. Edward Madigan, Resident Historian at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, who is a co-editor of the volume, told Centenary News:
“Until quite recently in Ireland, the First World War and the Irish Revolution were generally viewed as separate, only vaguely related events and people tended to commemorate either servicemen or revolutionaries depending on the community they belonged to”.
“This gave rise to a culture of commemoration in which centuries-old divisions were reinforced every time a major anniversary occurred”.
“None of the authors in Towards Commemoration have the final word on history or memory, but we hope the book will help people recognise the extraordinary complexity of this fascinating decade and to realise that one group does not have to be commemorated at the expense of the other.”
Dr. Madigan has written a feature piece for Centenary News about Towards Commemoration, which can be read here.
To watch a video of the former President of Ireland, Mary McAleese, speaking at the launch of the book, click here.
Posted by: Daniel Barry, Centenary News