Launch of new edition of Meda Ryan's 'Tom Barry - IRA Freedom Fighter'

national | history and heritage | event notice Wednesday September 21, 2005 14:44 by Niall Meehan

Ruan O'Donnell to introduce new paperback edition

Meda Ryan's new biography of Tom Barry caused a stir when she comprehensively refuted the findings of Canadian History Professor, Peter Hart.

Meeting 14th October Teachers' Club Parnell Square Dublin

Hart had alleged that Tom Barry was a "serial killer" and a liar in relation to the Kilmichael ambush of November 1920. Ryan questioned Peter Hart on his ability to interview ambush participants after records indicated that he last one died. She also put a question mark on Hart’s analysis of the ambush and his use of a captured British document, quoting segments that suited his argument, and leaving out elements that indicated that it was a British forgery.

Ryan’s original research has been part of debate with Peter Hart that has been raging in History Ireland for the past three issues (including in the latest edition), and on Indymedia.

In addition Ryan produced new research undermining Hart’s suggestion that the IRA's conduct of the War of Independence was sectarian. She demonstrated that Protestants shot near Dunmanway and surrounding districts in 1922 were not targeted because of their religion and that Peter Hart was blind to evidence of a unique organisation of paramilitary unionism in that part of southern Ireland during the War of independence.

The biography ranges over Barry’s career in the IRA in the 1920s and 1930s, his work on behalf of the government during the period of ‘the emergency’, his subsequent political career, including his attitude to the conflict in the North post 1968.

Ruan O’Donnell, historian and Head of Department in the University of Limerick, will introduce the paperback edition of the Meda Ryan’s work. The author of ‘Robert Emmet and the Rising of 1798’, and ‘Robert Emmet and the Rising of 1803’, will discuss the significance of Ryan’s research.

Meda Ryan will also speak on her research into Tom Barry’s life and on the controversy that has arisen since publication of her book. She will also sign copies of the paperback, which will be on sale at the meeting.