A story dealing with the religious question in Ireland, as seen from a Catholic standpoint. It is full of able controversy and shows keen observation. The hero Howard’s Protestant and anti-Irish prejudices are made to give way as the real situation of things is forced in on him. The restoration of Innisfoyle Abbey is one of the main incidents. Some of the incidents are taken from facts, e.g., the Rathcormac tithe massacre. These incidents are related with energy and pathos. But in general the story is of a lighter character, full of broad Irish humour, and placing the sayings and doings of our Orange fellow-countrymen in a point of view as ludicrous as it is horrible. “A rambling, spirited, and racy tale, eccentric and even absurd sometimes, but very original and entertaining.” “This writer is known as the author of several amusing and clever novels.”—(D. R.).
GRAVES, Alfred Perceval. Born in Dublin, 1846, but his family resided in Kerry. Son of late Dr. Graves, Bp. of Limerick. Educated at Windermere Coll. and T.C.D. Was Inspector of Schools from 1875-1910. For eight years Hon. Sec. of Irish Literary Society. Publ. upwards of seventeen books, nearly all on Irish subjects—poems, songs (including the famous “Father O’Flynn”), translations from the Irish, essays. Resides in Wimbledon.
⸺ THE IRISH FAIRY BOOK. (Fisher Unwin). Illustr. by George Denham. 1909. A new ed. at 3s. 6d., with fresh introd., is forthcoming.
A collection of fairy, folk, and hero-tales, nearly all selected from books already published, together with poems by Mangan, Tennyson, Nora Hopper, &c. Also tales from Standish H. O’Grady, Brian O’Looney, Thomas Boyd, Mrs. M’Clintock, Mrs. Ewing, Douglas Hyde, O’Kearney, &c. All are inspired by Gaelic originals. “The book is one to delight children for its simple, direct narratives of wonder and mystery,” while the fairy mythology will interest the student of the early life of man. The illustrations are as fanciful and elusive as the beings whose doings are told in the tales. Mr. Graves’s Preface is a popular review of the origin and character of fairy lore.—(Press Notice).
GREER, James.
⸺ THREE WEE ULSTER LASSIES; or, News from our Irish Cousins. (Cassell), 1s. 6d. Illustr. by old blocks. 1883.
The three lassies are Bessie Strong, the Ulster-Saxon, a landlord’s daughter; Jennie Scott, the Ulster-Scot, a farmer’s daughter; and Nelly Nolan, the Ulster-Kelt, a peasant girl. The Author insists throughout on the vast superiority of the English and Scotch elements of the population—“the grave, grim, hardy, sturdy race.” Interlarded with texts and hymns. In the end Nelly, after an encounter with the priest and stormy interviews with the neighbours, is converted and goes to America. The Author died in Derry in 1913 at an advanced age. He edited a Guide to Londonderry and the Highlands of Donegal, 1885, which went through several editions.
GREER, Tom. Was born at Anahilt, Co. Down, a member of a well known Ulster family. Ed. at Queen’s College, Belfast. M.A. and M.D., Queen’s University, and practised in Cambridge. Unsuccessfully contested North Derry as a Liberal Home Ruler, 1892, and died a few years afterwards. The central idea of this tale was suggested by the old Co. Derry folk tale of Hudy McGuiggen. See HARKIN, Hugh.
⸺ A MODERN DÆDALUS. Pp. 261. (London: Griffith, Farran, &c.). 1885.
The introd. is signed John O’Halloran, Dublin, 30th Feb., 1887! A curious story, told in first person, of a Donegal lad who learned the secret of aerial flight by watching the sea-birds. He flies over to London. Is in the House of Commons for a debate. Parnell is well described. The way Parliament and the Government and the Press dealt with the new invention is cleverly and amusingly told. Jack, the hero, is imprisoned but escapes, and on his return there is a successful rising in Ireland, who establishes her independence by her air fleet. The book is full of politics (Nationalist point of view). An eviction scene in Donegal—“The Battle of Killynure”—is described. Shrewd strokes of satire are aimed at the Tories throughout.