Description

The outbreak of the First World War in 1914 sent shockwaves through the West of Ireland, pulling thousands of young men into foreign battlefields while setting the stage for domestic revolution. In Galway and the Great War, leading academic John Cunningham provides a thorough, highly accurate investigation into this deeply nuanced historical period.

Cunningham traces the experiences of Galway soldiers across devastating frontlines—from the mud of Flanders to the beaches of Gallipoli—focusing heavily on iconic regiments like the Connaught Rangers. Simultaneously, the text delivers an unvarnished look at the home front, exploring how wartime inflation, agricultural changes, and the rising tide of Republican politics altered local society. It stands out for its high standard of research, making it a crucial reference cornerstone for families and historical scholars alike.

Essential historical insights within this work:

• Battlefield and Home Front Balance: Alternates masterfully between raw trenches testimonies and detailed localized political tracking.

• Regimental Operational Detail: Offers exceptional archival clarity regarding the enlistment rates and combat paths of local units.

• Elite Academic Caliber: Extensively footnoted and rigorously detailed to meet the highest standards of modern Irish historical research.