Pádraig shortlisted for major literary award

A MEELICK historian has been shortlisted for a major literary award after publishing over 400 photographs about conflict during the early formation of the State, many of which have never been featured previously.
Revolution: A Photographic History of Revolutionary Ireland 1913-1923 by Pádraig Óg Ó Ruairc has been nominated under the International Education Services Best Irish-Published Book of the Year category in the 2011 Bord Gáis Energy Irish Book Awards.
Mr Ó Ruairc believes this is the first time a full photographic history of the important period 1913 to 1923 has ever been produced. He spent about a year going to museums in Ireland and England as well as Kilmainham Jail and meeting private collectors to obtain a series of photographs, which were never seen before.
“I am delighted to be shortlisted for this award. I would appeal to people to vote for the book on line at www.irishbookwards.ie as this will be decided by public vote,” he said.
The son of Pat and Monica, Pádraig went to national school in Caherdavin and St Nessan’s Secondary School in Limerick.
Mr Ó Ruairc works seasonally for the Irish Heritage Service at Fort Charles in Kinsale and is currently researching the Anglo-Irish Truce for a PhD in the University of Limerick.
The 28-year-old has already made his mark as a respected historian. His previous books include Blood on the Banner: The Republican Struggle in Clare and The Battle for Limerick City: Military History of the Irish Civil War.
Blood on the Banner details the significant role played by Clare republicans in the War of Independence. While there has been a lot of focus about the extent of the Civil War in counties like Clare and Tipperary, one of the most successful freedom fighters challenging British rule were in Clare with famous incidents such as the Rineen Ambush, Glenwood Ambush and the Killings in Killaloe.
The Battle for Limerick City chronicles the civil war in Limerick, which Mr O’Ruairc believes was completely overlooked by many commentators. A lot of the historical accounts focused on what happened in Dublin during the Civil War and the shooting of Michael Collins in Béal na Bláth.
Michael Brennan from Meelick, who was part of the pro-Treaty forces, was in conflict with Tom Barry and Ciarán Lynch on the republican side in the battle for Limerick City. The pro-Treaty forces were victorious after 10 days of fighting.
The public are being asked to cast their vote on the best books of 2011 via the Irish Book Awards website, www.irishbookawards.ie.
The winners will be announced at an awards dinner in the concert hall of the Royal Dublin Society on November 17.