I have to say I thought this supplement, while a nice addition, was quite poor indeed. Fintan O'Toole - an expert on everything, that man - NOT.
And the suggested bibliography was dire. They actually recommended O'Faolean's The Great O'Neill - a chronically inaccurate work.
Poor indeed.
Just looking at this now. Must say surprised to see Fintan O'Toole writing the lead article but I can't comment yet as I have not read it.Originally Posted by easygoing
Sean O'Faolain's work has been unfairly disparged in recent years IMO. I think he captures the spirit of the times very well. Why do you think it's 'chronically inaccurate'?
The Flight of the Earls was a devastating blow to Gaelic Ireland as Aodh O'Neill was the one man who had the political and military reputation to challenge the enroachments of the New English who wished to grind the native Irish down.
A sad day for our Country.
Europa Conventus Delenda Est
O'Faolain was not an historian. For instance, he gets Tyrone's youth entirely wrong. He says he was brought up at court. He wasn't. Read Hiram Morgan's Tyrone's Rebellion.Just looking at this now. Must say surprised to see Fintan O'Toole writing the lead article but I can't comment yet as I have not read it.
Sean O'Faolain's work has been unfairly disparged in recent years IMO. I think he captures the spirit of the times very well. Why do you think it's 'chronically inaccurate'?
The Flight of the Earls was a devastating blow to Gaelic Ireland as Aodh O'Neill was the one man who had the political and military reputation to challenge the enroachments of the New English who wished to grind the native Irish down.
A sad day for our Country.
Also see this Catalpa: http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/pl ... ag02.shtml
Click on Morgan's contribution Hugh O'Neill was once loyal to the Crown for an audio 3 min lecture by today's authority on O'Neill.
***
By the by,
and here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/pl ... ndex.shtml for Professor O Corrain, especially his last contribution on the invasion of 1169, which he terms 'a disaster, for two reasons'.
Agreed. But the Earls did cut and run. Also, have you read The Battle of Kinsale (Dublin, 2004) by H Morgan (ed)?
It's absolutely excellent, many essays, all very well written, including an interesting counter-factual piece on the what-ifs of Kinsale. Replete with images and maps. At 35 euro, it is a must!!
Hiram Morgan is not exactly the most unbyast historian I have ever read TBH.O'Faolain was not an historian. For instance, he gets Tyrone's entire youth wrong. He says he was brought up at court. He wasn't. Read Hiram Morgan's Tyrone's RebellionJust looking at this now. Must say surprised to see Fintan O'Toole writing the lead article but I can't comment yet as I have not read it.
Sean O'Faolain's work has been unfairly disparged in recent years IMO. I think he captures the spirit of the times very well. Why do you think it's 'chronically inaccurate'?
The Flight of the Earls was a devastating blow to Gaelic Ireland as Aodh O'Neill was the one man who had the political and military reputation to challenge the enroachments of the New English who wished to grind the native Irish down.
A sad day for our Country.
Also see this Catalpa: http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/pl ... ag02.shtml
Click on Morgan's contribution "Hugh O'Neill was once loyal to the Crown" for an audio 3 min lecture by Morgan.
and here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/pl ... ndex.shtml for Professor O Corrain, especially his last contribution on the invasion of 1169, which he terms 'a disaster, for two reasons'.
As for O'Neill's alleged upbringing there is no proof either way as to whether he did or did not spend time in England as a youth.
It's quite possible he did visit there and live with a member of the Royal entourage that surrounded Elizabeth. If he did then its very likely he would have been presented at Court and been know to the Queen and vice versa.
Speculation I know but Morgan's is only an opinion not a fact!
Europa Conventus Delenda Est
Fair points all. In what direction do you think he's slanted if you don't mind me asking (genuinely interested).
Might buy it yet!Agreed. But the Earls did cut and run. Also, have you read The Battle of Kinsale (Dublin, 2004) by H Morgan (ed)?
It's absolutely excellent, many essays, all very well written, including an interesting counter-factual piece on the what-ifs of Kinsale. Replete with images and maps. At 35 euro, it is a must!!
Europa Conventus Delenda Est
Well first let me say its a good few years since I read Tyrone's Rebellion but I found him rather harsh on O'Neill's conduct and motivations.Fair points all. In what direction do you think he's slanted if you don't mind me asking (genuinely interested).
He also criticised him for rejecting peace with the English Crown in 1598 (IIRC) and turning to Spain for help. IMO he made the right choice as the English were out to destroy him and the Gaelic world anyway.
If you want some kind of counter balance to all the revisionist histories knocking about try Micheline Kerney Walsh Destruction by Peace: Hugh O'Neill after Kinsale for a more pro Irish viewpoint on our History then. Also John McCavitt's The Flight of the Earls is good in parts but a bit on the dry side.
Europa Conventus Delenda Est
I 2003 I had the honour when visting Rome of going to the church of San Pietro in Montorio (right beside the Tempietto) in which Aodh O'Neill and other members of his family are buried. One of the highlights of my stay!
It's almost adjacent to the Spanish Embassy - which would appear to be on the same site for the past 400 years or so!
Europa Conventus Delenda Est
But of course if the Gaelic cheifs had done their bit to support The Geraldine League which was proposed by The Earl of Desmond in help the young Kildare then there would have been no need for the Flight of the Earls or lots of other things but like the Scots when it came to the crunch the Irish sold their souls and paid the heavy price in later generations.
The Geraldine Earls of Desmond and Kildare were the only one who had the remotest hope of getting the English out and of beating the Butler Earls of Ormond so the Flight of the Earls was only a matter of time.
Very good fictional account in Anne Chambers 'The Geraldine Conspiracy'
LinkBack URL
About LinkBacks
Reply With Quote