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The Irish Republic
Dorothy Macardle

“The Irish Republic is the only book that I know of which gives a connected authoritative account of the period 1916 to 1923, and no one who wishes to understand this period of Irish history, or whose work brings them to deal with it in any detail, should be without a copy.”
- Eamon de Valera

“This exposition, or narrative, of events in Ireland during the seven momentous years from 1916 to 1923 may be regarded as an outstanding contribution to the materials of history, and it is certain to remain for many years the best standard reference for that period…We know of no better description of events of 1917 than is to be found in this volume.”
- The Irish Times

“…the first account that can sincerely be called ‘complete and authoritative’…It has not only the qualities of accuracy, wealth of detail, a trained perspective and that intimacy with events upon which the President commented. It has also a style and a sense of dramatic values which makes its reading as moving and enthralling as the watching of a great play greatly acted. This reviewer knows of no other similar work in which the smoothness of the narrative so completely survives the necessary multitudinous incidents preserved in the chronicle.”
- Irish Press

The Irish Republic was the first complete history of the struggle that started with the proclamation of the Republic and ended, or seemed to end, with the Republican defeat and ceasefire order of 24 May 1923.
‘This is not a narrative of battles and ambushes,’ writes Dorothy Macardle; ‘it is with the political rather than the military aspect that this book deals.’

Her detailed chronicle covers the seven years between the Easter Rising of 1916 and the end of the Civil War. Introductory chapters review earlier phases of the Irish resistance to conquest, the efforts to secure Home Rule and the beginning of Sinn Féin. After May 1923, the story is carried forward, as a brief survey, to the further implementation of the Treaty by the signing of the Partition Agreement in London in December 1925.

First published in 1937, The Irish Republic has long held a place of honour in many Irish households. It is an account of the struggle from the viewpoint of one who was active throughout the turbulent years of the inception of the fledgling state. The major work has been reissued for the benefit of a whole generation who have not had the opportunity to own it.