Description

From the absolute chaos of the revolutionary decade to the complex task of building a stable democratic state, Senator Joseph Connolly stood at the nerve center of Irish public life. Memoirs of Senator Joseph Connolly: A Founder of Modern Ireland, masterfully edited by J. Anthony Gaughan, delivers his invaluable, previously unpublished personal accounts of this foundational era.

Connolly guides readers through his early work as a nationalist organizer in Belfast, his diplomatic service as the Irish Consul in New York, and his close working relationship with Éamon de Valera as a prominent member of early Fianna Fáil cabinets. His memoirs provide unvarnished, sharp insights into the internal debates surrounding the Anglo-Irish Treaty, the development of early economic policy, and the logistics of state administration, offering an indispensable resource for understanding the true architecture of modern Ireland.

Essential reading highlights for political historians:

• Firsthand Executive Insights: Offers rare, behind-the-scenes accounts of early cabinet meetings, diplomatic missions, and state strategy.

• Belfast to New York Arc: Tracks his unique professional path as a northern merchant transitioning into international diplomacy and national politics.

• Impeccable Scholarly Editing: Thoroughly annotated by noted historian J. Anthony Gaughan to verify name listings and historic timeline accuracy.