The "Catholic Bulletin" and Republican Ireland with Special Reference to J.J.O'Kelly (Sceilg)

An analysis of the different strands in the Irish national & cultural movements of the early 20th century. This book analyses the development of different strands in the Irish national and cultural movements of the early years of the 20th century. From extensive and meticulous research Dr. Murphy provides new insights on the relationship between these tendencies and their evolution. He sets the record straight and challenges assumptions made by a number of the early revisionist historians. He focuses on the role of a key, but underrated, figure in that movement - J.J. O'Kelly, known as 'Sceilg'- and in particular on his role as editor of The Catholic Bulletin in the crucial post-1916 period. O'Kelly was also President of the Gaelic League (1919-22) and Acting Chairman of Dail Eireann (1919-21). For its trenchant and well-argued justification of the Rising and the case it made for Independence to people at home and abroad the Bulletin was once described as "Ireland's heavy artillery". That seems a most apt description of it.

INTRODUCTION by Brian Murphy 7
PART ONE: Introduction and Early Life
Chapter One: J. J. O'Kelly and The Catholic Bulletin
1. Myth and Reality 11
2. The Editor of the Catholic Bulletin, 1911-1922 15
3. President of the Gaelic League and Ministerial Appointments 23
Chapter Two: J. J. O'Kelly, Early Life:
Organs of 'Faith and Fatherland'
1. The Historical Dimension
Archbishop Croke, the Fenians and Daniel O'Connell 30
2. 'Genius Loci': Valentia and Louvain 38
3. The Irish Dimension
The Language, Emigration and the Gaelic League 41
PART TWO: J. J. O'Kelly and the National Movement
Chapter Three: The Sinn Fein Ideal
1. Introduction: The Social Base - ' An Stad' 46
2. Origins of Sinn Fein 49
3. Fr. Peter Yorke and Sinn Fein 52
4. The Celtic Literary Society 55
Chapter Four: The Sinn Fein Organisation
1. Monarchical Sinn Fein and the IRB 57
2. The Decline of Arthur Griffith's Sinn Fein 60
PART THREE: J. J. O'Kelly and The Language Movement
Chapter Five: Early Influences and Experiences 65
Chapter Six: The Society for The Preservation of the Irish Language 72
Chapter Seven: The Gaelic League and the Keating Branch 78
Chapter Eight: Pearse and the Editorship of An Claidheamh Soluis 84.