Cork - Event Notice
Thursday January 01 1970

Cork launches of two important studies on Ireland's War for Independence

cork | rights, freedoms and repression | event notice

Thursday April 27, 2006 15:55

by Niall Meehan

Aubane Historical Society Millstreet Cork

0044 79 06279332

"The overwhelming British superiority in manpower was partly countered by Irish superiority in womanpower"

BOOK LAUNCHES
(with the authors)

CORK CITY LIBRARY
(Grand Parade)

Saturday, 29th April, 2006 3.30 pm

“The Origins and Organisation of
British Propaganda In Ireland 1920”
by Brian P Murphy OSB

&

“Florence and Josephine O'Donoghue's
War of Independence”
by John Miller Borgonovo

Sponsored by:

The Aubane Historical Society,
Aubane, Millstreet, Co. Cork

All Welcome

The overwhelming British superiority in manpower was partly countered by Irish superiority in womanpower - from Professor Joe Lee's foreword

“The Origins and Organisation of
British Propaganda In Ireland 1920”
by Brian P Murphy OSB

Dr Brian P. Murphy is a member of the Benedictine Community at Glenstal Abbey, county Limerick. He is a graduate of Oxford University, Trinity College, Dublin, and the National University of Ireland (UCD). He is the author of ‘Patrick Pearse and the Lost Republican Ideal’ (1991), ‘John Chartres the Mystery Man of the Treaty’ (1995), ‘St Gerard's School, Bray, an Educational Initiative’ (1999), ‘Michael Collins - some original documents in his own hand’ (2004), ‘The Catholic Bulletin and Republican Ireland’ (2005) and various articles.

Reviewers of his book have said:
‘This fascinating analysis of British manipulation of news in the 1920s should be of great interest to scholars of media propaganda today, as they examine how 'public diplomacy' works in times of war.’
Farrel Corcoran, Professor of Communication at Dublin City University.

‘Brian Murphy’s skill as a researcher and analyst sharply focuses on the creation in 1920 of Dublin Castle’s Publicity department under Basil Clarke. Facts were distorted; ‘official’ reports were subtly changed to suit an agenda – clearly a warning for researchers to take a sharper and more sceptical look when using newspaper and other reports during war.’
Meda Ryan, historian, author of Tom Barry: IRA Freedom Fighter

‘An original and valuable study, an illuminating account of the propaganda war and an excellent exposé of the war of words in revolutionary Ireland.’ Dr. Ruan O'Donnell, History Department, University of Limerick.
‘Brian Murphy offers a well-researched examination of a neglected aspect of the Irish War of Independence. He explains the organisation of British propaganda in Ireland during 1920-1921, outlines its goals and output, and discusses its effect on historical and contemporary perceptions of the conflict. It is a fascinating work.’
John Borgonovo, Editor 'Florence and Josephine O'Donoghue's War of Independence'

Published by the Aubane Historical Society

See also
http://www.indymedia.ie/article/74416
and
http://www.indymedia.ie/article/75117

“Florence and Josephine O'Donoghue's
War of Independence”
by John Miller Borgonovo

John Borgonovo is a writer currently living in San Francisco. His articles have appeared in various American publications, including the San Francisco Chronicle. He received a BA in History from the University of Oregon, and a Master of Arts from University College, Cork.

“The War of Independence was first and foremost an Intelligence war. The poorly equipped IRA had no hope unless they could compensate for their gross inferiority in gun power not only through greater will power, but through superior Intelligence. The role of IRA Intelligence Officers was crucial in levelling up the odds. It is the judgement of John Borgonovo, the editor, that O'Donoghue, a farmer's son from Kerry, was as crucial to the struggle in Cork as Michael Collins, a farmer's son from Cork, was to the struggle in Dublin, different a personality though the quiet O'Donoghue was from the flamboyant Collins.”

Foreword by Professor Joe Lee
Published by the Irish Academic Press

Note:
Irish Academic Press will be publishing John Borgonovo's study on the 'Anti Sinn Fein Societies' in Cork during the War of Independence later this year. This work will challenge revisionist historian Peter Hart's view that there were no significant loyalist groups engaging in paramilitary and spying activities on behalf of British Crown forces. It will complement work already published by Brian Murphy (including the work above) and by Meda Ryan (Tom Barry IRA Freedom Fighter, Mercier, 2003 BB, 2005 PB).