Untold Stories: Protestants in the Republic of Ireland, 1922-2002.
Author: MURPHY, Colin & ADAIR, Lynne (Editors) [Introduction by Professor Stephen Mennell].
Dublin: The Liffey Press, 2002. Second Edition. xvii, 237 pages. Illustrated. Paperback.
“Protestants are a small, usually silent minority in the Republic of Ireland, their history and experiences often ignored at the expense of both their Roman Catholic compatriots and their Northern co-religionists. This book allows them to speak for themselves.
Untold Stories demonstrates that there is a great diversity of voices to be found amongst the Protestant community. The stereotype of a privileged, aloof class, loyal to England, is shown to be largely myth. Most of the contributors are fiercely proud of their Irish heritage, while remaining critical of many aspects of the country’s development over the last eighty years: the association of “Irishness” with Catholic nationalism; the deeply divisive and hurtful Ne Temere decree; the Catholic dominance of education and health; the open sectarianism displayed in the Fethard-on-Sea boycott. Most contributors also regret the (partially self-imposed) sense of separateness which has formed their identity. There is a great sense of hurt at the still commonly held view that Protestants are “not really Irish”.
However, Untold Stories shows a remarkably positive outlook amongst the minority community. The contributors are drawn from all arenas of Irish life — the clergy, politics, business, the arts, journalism and education — and include such well-known people as David Norris, Edna Longley, Risteard O Glaisne, Bruce Arnold and Donald Caird, among others. There are also a small number of “outsider” perspectives in the book. The contributors are generally hopeful about the changes of the last decade, whilst recognising the many challenges that lie ahead for their community and country.”
ISBN: 190414814X