General Eoin O'Duffy: The Political Life of an Irish Firebrand

General Eoin O Duffy, a prominent figure in Ireland's revolutionary generation, remains a controversial figure due to his political career in the 1930s, including his leadership of the fascistic Blueshirts and his pro-Franco involvement in the Spanish Civil War. This book examines his place within pro-treaty Irish nationalism and offers new interpretations on his involvement with international fascism, providing a more nuanced understanding of the prevalence of crypto-fascist outlooks in the 1930s.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 277 pages
Publication date: 31 January 2024
Publisher: McFarland & Co Inc

Most of the prominent figures from Ireland's revolutionary generation have been endlessly profiled and commemorated, but the controversial General Eoin O'Duffy remains a pariah. Despite reaching the heights of leadership in the republican movement during the Irish revolutionary period and subsequently becoming a key state-builder in early independent Ireland as head of the national police force, O'Duffy's legacy retains a whiff of sulphur. It has been tarnished by his controversial political career in the 1930s, including his leadership of the fascistic Blueshirts and his pro-Franco involvement in the Spanish Civil War. Using a blend of well-charted and previously overlooked or unavailable material, this book examines the tumultuous periods of Ireland's struggle for independence and the early Irish Free State. It foregrounds O'Duffy's place within pro-treaty Irish nationalism. A militarist and supporter of Michael Collins, he became a safe pair of hands relied upon to rescue the pro-treaty regime during crises. The book offers new interpretations on his involvement with international fascism and provides a much-needed nuance on the prevalence of crypto-fascist outlooks in the 1930s. It seeks to blow away the cobwebs of mythology and recalibrate our understanding of this most controversial Irishman.

Weight: 272g
Dimension: 254 x 178 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781476693262