by the books editor The World of Books The public fracas down in Ennistymon, Co. Clare over the erection of a statue representing the Púca of folklore has attracted a deal of amused comment around the country. Certainly the affair focused the attention of the nation on aspects of our own modern Irish culture which…
Desmond Egan Apathy Is out: Selected Poems of Seán Ó Ríordáin with translations by Greg Delanty (Bloodaxe/ClóIar-Chonnacht, £12.99/€15.00) Seán Ó Ríordáin (1916-1977) was arguably the finest Irish-language poet of modern times. Soon after starting to work as a clerk in Cork city, he was diagnosed with TB (which had killed his father). It dogged him…
An exhibition curated by Niamh MacNally at the National Gallery of Ireland, Merrion Square, to January 31, 2022 Print Gallery | Admission free (book your free entry ticket in advance) The National Gallery’s remarkable holding of watercolours by the English genius Joseph Mallord William Turner is shown only in January. In 1900, at the very end…
The neo-noir thriller Nightmare Alley is a remake of a 1947 film starring Tyrone Power in one of his favourite roles. This version is directed by Guillermo del Toro – of The Shape of Water fame. Leonardo DiCaprio was initially cast in the power role but dropped out amidst financial squabbles. He’s replaced by another…
So much of what’s on TV is aggravation and conflict ridden so it’s great when you find something calming and uplifting. Monty Don’s Adriatic Gardens (BBC Two, Fridays) is not just about gardening – there is history, spirituality and a host of interesting characters. Monty Don’s visit to the area started in Venice, where we…
Frank Litton The Tyranny of Merit. What’s become of the Common Good? by Michael J. Sandel (Penguin Random House, €25.00/£20.00) Oh let us love our occupations, bless the squire and his relations, live upon our daily rations, and always know our proper stations, so the servants were taught to sing. Democracy put paid to that. Aristocratic…
Changing of the Guard: Jack Marrinan’s battle to modernise An Garda Síochána by Tim Doyle (Currach Books, €20.00 / £17.99) In the 1950s a revolt was stirring in the lower ranks of An Garda. Although a much sought after permanent job, especially in rural Ireland, working conditions were tough, especially for the younger members who…
Prison Journal: vol. 2 The State Court Rejects the Appeal by George Pell (Ignatius Press, £14.50 / $19.95) The context in which this journal (one of three) was written is a sobering morality tale. Cardinal George Pell was born in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia, on June 8, 1941. He was educated at the Loreto convent school…
In his Master’s Footsteps: The Way of the Cross in the Company of St Oliver Plunkett, Archbishop and Martyr (St Paul’s Publishing, €5.50 / £4.60) This aid to making the Stations of the Cross has been written by Canon Benedict Fee, the parish priest of Clonoe, in Co. Tyrone. It is built around the example…
Stolen Moments by John Quinn (Veritas, €16.99 / £14.50) Over recent years John Quinn’s books have proved popular and for good reason. This new book is a sort of sequel to an earlier book Moments (which appeared back in 2011). In this book I can see why. These days I find I do not sleep quite as…
Peter Costello
Aubrey Malone
Brendan O’Regan