ISBN-13: 9780872432451

How the Irish Lost the Civilization They Created

Engrossing story of the decline of Catholicism in Ireland and the rise of the Celtic Tiger within a secular state as seen by those who have experienced it. The book also features interviews with some prominent persons about growing up Catholic in Ireland including actor Pierce Brosnan, novelists Maeve Binchy and Edna O’Brien, Lord Longford, and Heinz chairman A.J.F. “Tony” O’Reilly. (376 pages)

REVIEWS:

“A welcome and valuable addition to the record of Irish history . . . a torrent of information and speculation that is thankfully devoid of academic pretension . . . I read it with unwaning admiration.” Novelist William Trevor in The Spectator London

“Joins that very small number of books which will be essential reading for those studying our troubled land.” The Irish Catholic

“Mary Kenny, one of Britain's shrewdest and most experienced journalists, has produced an excellent book . . . with frankness, verve and sorrow.” British historian Paul Johnson

“She says goodbye with regret but with style. This is an impressive and important book.” Irish Independent

“Mary Kenny is one of the few top-flight Irish journalists with a good word to say about the Catholic Church. I hope she is gathering material for the next book welcoming the Church being born from the ashes of the past.” The Tablet, London