Book Launch RORY O’CONNOR To Defend the Republic By Gerard Shannon

Join us for the book launch of Rory O'Connor, To Defend The Republic by Gerard Shannon. A free event at Chapters Bookstore on February 26th at 6.30pm.

This is the first biography of the IRA leader Rory O’Connor, close comrade of Joseph Plunkett and Michael Collins, key revolutionary figure during the Irish War of Independence and Commander of IRA operations in Britain. O’Connor, one of the most vocal opponents of the Treaty, is particularly remembered for the dramatic circumstances behind his controversial execution during the Irish Civil War - without trial or court martial - approved by the first government cabinet of the Irish Free State, which included his former friend and colleague Kevin O’Higgins.

Gerard Shannon is a public historian who specialises in the Irish revolutionary

period of the early 20th century. He has written numerous articles and done

public talks primarily on leading revolutionaries. His first major publication, Liam

Lynch: To Declare a Republic, was released to critical acclaim in 2023 and

made the non-fiction bestseller lists. Gerard will be joined by fellow historian Liz Gillis as MC for the night with special guest Éamon Ó Cuív

The execution of IRA leader Rory O’Connor on 8 December 1922, along with Liam Mellows, Dick Barrett and Joe McKelvey, marked a bitter turning point in the Irish Civil War and remains one of the most infamous episodes in modern Irish history.

This is the first biography of the IRA leader Rory O’Connor.

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