On Dangerous Ground

On Dangerous Ground is a revolutionary period memoir by Republican Máire Comerford (1893–1982), including original text and new material from her archive. It depicts rural life, the arrival of the motorcar, social and economic conditions, the rise of the Gaelic League, debates about Home Rule, and the First World War. Comerford's memoir highlights the contribution of Republican women in the struggle for an Irish Republic, including her work in arms, carrying dispatches, and raising funds.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 25 November 2021
Publisher: The Lilliput Press Ltd

On Dangerous Ground is a groundbreaking memoir by Republican Máire Comerford (1893–1982), offering a unique perspective on the revolutionary period. This remarkable work, one of the last of its kind, combines Comerford's original text, primarily written in the 1940s and 50s, with newly discovered material from her extensive archive, which includes a wealth of photographs and memorabilia from that era.

The memoir begins with Comerford's recollections of leisurely Sunday strolls to Avondale, the former home of Charles Stewart Parnell, a neighbor of her father, the mill owner James Comerford. As a young woman, she undergoes a profound political awakening at the hands of a fervent Unionist woman in a secretarial college in London. Despite being the only Catholic in the class, Máire Comerford delves into Irish history books to counterbalance this encounter with religious sectarianism. Upon returning to County Wexford to reside with her mother's people, following a change in their fortunes, she re-enters the genteel world of fox hunting and luncheon parties.

The memoir paints an intriguing portrait of rural life during that time, heralding the arrival of the motorcar, social and economic conditions, the rise of the Gaelic League, debates about Home Rule, and the First World War. While the description of her surroundings as a young adult is captivating and often charming, a sense of change permeates throughout her writing. Following Comerford's firsthand account of Dublin during the 1916 Rising, she embarks on a life of political engagement, joining Cumann na mBan, Sinn Féin, and the Gaelic League. In 1919, she relocates permanently to Dublin to live with and work for renowned historian and nationalist, Alice Stopford Green. There, she becomes deeply immersed in Republican politics and the War of Independence.

Comerford's memoir is a testament to her resilience and determination in the face of adversity. It provides a vivid account of her experiences during a pivotal period in Irish history and offers valuable insights into the social, political, and cultural landscape of the time. Through her writing, Comerford emerges as a strong and influential figure, whose legacy continues to inspire and inform generations to come.

Weight: 616g
Dimension: 235 x 156 x 34 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781843518198