Peadar O'Donnell

A new biography of the socialist Republican and writer Peader O'Donnell (1893-1986) which explores the political and creative career of this major radical figure. It offers new insights not only into the life of a fascinating individual, but into the dynamics of Irish political, social and cultural life in the twentieth century. "Peadar O'Donnell (1893-1986), 'the greatest agitator of his generation', was an Irish socialist and republican who believed in the indivisibility of the struggles against capitalism and British imperialism. He moved from his role as a radical trade union organiser in 1918-19 to the senior ranks of the IRA during the War of Independence and Civil War. Over the following decade he strove to make class struggle the dynamic of republican politics and to transform the IRA into a Connollyite citizen army. He was a key figure in the republican-communist partnership of the late twenties/early thirties and the primary instigator of the left-republican Saor Eire and Republican Congress initiatives. He was also the driving force of the campaign against the payment of land annuities to Britain, an issue that helped Fianna Fail to power in 1932 and sparked off the Economic War." "O'Donnell was also a prolific political journalist and the author of seven novels and one play that often brilliantly evoke community life in the islands and glens of his native Donegal. Probably his most important cultural legacy was the legendary Bell magazine, which he founded in 1940 and edited from 1946 to 1954. His stature, reputation and longevity later earned him the status of 'grand old man of the Irish left'. A life-long campaigner on behalf of those marginalised in Irish society, particularly improverished emigrants and small farmers, he was also prominently associated with progressive international causes such as the defence of the Spanish Republic and opposition to the American war in Vietnam." "This new biography critically examines O'Donnell's political and creative career. It not only gives new insights into an extraordinary individual, but with its emphasis on historical context, offers fresh perspectives on the dynamics of Irish political, social and cultural life in the twentieth century."--4e de couverture "Peadar O'Donnell (1893-1986), 'the greatest agitator of his generation', was an Irish socialist and republican who believed in the indivisibility of the struggles against capitalism and British imperialism. He moved from his role as a radical trade union organiser in 1918-19 to the senior ranks of the IRA during the War of Independence and Civil War. Over the following decade he strove to make class struggle the dynamic of republican politics and to transform the IRA into a Connollyite citizen army. He was a key figure in the republican-communist partnership of the late twenties/early thirties and the primary instigator of the left-republican Saor Eire and Republican Congress initiatives. He was also the driving force of the campaign against the payment of land annuities to Britain, an issue that helped Fianna Fail to power in 1932 and sparked off the Economic War." "O'Donnell was also a prolific political journalist and the author of seven novels and one play that often brilliantly evoke community life in the islands and glens of his native Donegal. Probably his most important cultural legacy was the legendary Bell magazine, which he founded in 1940 and edited from 1946 to 1954. His stature, reputation and longevity later earned him the status of 'grand old man of the Irish left'. A life-long campaigner on behalf of those marginalised in Irish society, particularly improverished emigrants and small farmers, he was also prominently associated with progressive international causes such as the defence of the Spanish Republic and opposition to the American war in Vietnam." "This new biography critically examines O'Donnell's political and creative career. It not only gives new insights into an extraordinary individual, but with its emphasis on historical context, offers fresh perspectives on the dynamics of Irish political, social and cultural life in the twentieth century."--Jacket

Paedar O'Donnell (1893-1986) was a major radical figure in the history of twentieth century Ireland. A socialist, Republican and a writer who saw his pen as a weapon in the revolutionary process, he moved from his role as a trade union organizer to the senior ranks of the IRA during the War of Independence and the Irish Civil War. A key figure in the Republican-Communist nexus of the late twenties and early thirties, O'Donnell was the instigator of the mass campaign against the payment of land annuities to Britain, an issue that helped Fianna Fáil to power in 1932 and sparked off the Economic War.

As editor of the legendary "Bell Magazine" in the late forties and early fifties he encouraged writers to engage with social and political realities, while he continued to agitate and campaigning on behalf of emigrants, the small farm countryside and other marginalized sections of Irish society. He grew into his role as "the grand old man of the left", inspiring successive generations of activists to take up the struggle and lending his symbolic weight to many progressive political causes.

In this new biography, Donal Ó Drisceoil critically examines Paeder O'Donnell's political and cultural role and influence, standing on the shoulders of a unique participant in public life to gain new perspectives on the dynamics of Irish politics, culture and society in the twentieth century.

Paedar O'Donnell (1893-1986) was a major radical figure in the history of twentieth century Ireland. A socialist, Republican and a writer who saw his pen as a weapon in the revolutionary process, he moved from his role as a trade union organizer to the senior ranks of the IRA during the War of Independence and the Irish Civil War. A key figure in the Republican-Communist nexus of the late twenties and early thirties, O'Donnell was the instigator of the mass campaign against the payment of land annuities to Britain, an issue that helped Fianna Fail to power in 1932 and sparked off the Economic War. As editor of the legendary "Bell Magazine" in the late forties and early fifties he encouraged writers to engage with social and political realities, while he continued to agitate and campaigning on behalf of emigrants, the small farm countryside and other marginalized sections of Irish society. He grew into his role as "the grand old man of the left", inspiring successive generations of activists to take up the struggle and lending his symbolic weight to many progressive political causes. In this new biography, Donal O Drisceoil critically examines Paeder O'Donnell's political and cultural role and influence, standing on the shoulders of a unique participant in public life to gain new perspectives on the dynamics of Irish politics, culture and society in the twentieth century. Cover Title Copyright Contents Acknowledgements List of Abbreviations Introduction 1. 'Let us become rebels' 1893-1921 2. 'I'm in the wrong war!' 1921-1925 3. 'My pen is a weapon' 1926-1931 4. 'Bridgeheads of hope' 1932-1939 5. 'Somewhere out the road in history' 1940-1986 Conclusion Notes and References Guide to Further Reading Index In the late nineteenth century the townland of Meenmore, near Dungloe in the Rosses of west Donegal, was a 'quiltwork of small fields' running down to the Atlantic, dotted with about fifty thatched cottages.