⸺ OFF THE SKELLIGS. Three Vols. (Keegan Paul. Boston: Roberts). [1872]. Second ed., c. 1881.
Has no other connection with Ireland than the episode of the picking up near the Skellig Island, off Waterville, Co. Kerry, of a boat’s crew that had escaped from a burning ship.
IRVINE, Alexander. B. in town of Antrim of very poor parents. Was a newsboy in Antrim, a coal-miner in Glasgow, a Marine. Began again at the bottom in N.Y. 1888, and went through extraordinary experiences. Is a Socialist. Lives in Peekskill, N.Y. See his autobiography From the Bottom Up. (Heinemann). 1910.
⸺ MY LADY OF THE CHIMNEY CORNER. Pp. 224. (Nash). 3s. 6d. net. Eight eds. in three or four months. 1914.
Sub-t.:—“A story of love and poverty in Irish peasant life.” The central figure—almost the only figure in the book—is Anna Gilmore, a poor woman living in Pogue’s Entry, in the town of Antrim. Brought up as a pious Catholic by Catholic parents, she marries a Protestant against their wish. Henceforth she has renounced Catholicism, having chosen, as she says, love instead of religion. To show that her choice was of the better part seems to be the purpose of the Author. The book is a lovingly-drawn portrait, with slight incidents, and the many wise sayings of Anna as traits. There is a strong evangelical religious atmosphere throughout. The story is largely in dialect. It is laid in Famine times; yet there are several mention of Fenians, which seems to spell Catholic. The book would be better understood by a reading of the Author’s autobiography, From the Bottom Up.
IRVINE, G. Marshall, B.A., M.B.
⸺ THE LION’S WHELP. Pp. 406. (Simpkin). 6s. 1910.
Introd. (by J. Campbell, M.A., M.D., F.R.C.S., LL.D. (Hon. Causa)) says, “In writing The Lion’s Whelp Dr. Irvine has set before himself two main objects. He desires to inculcate on the medical profession the necessity which exists for the education of the public in all that pertains to the maintenance of health ... and he wishes to impress upon the public all that is summed up in the time-worn adage—‘Prevention is better than cure.’” Incidentally, the book is also a satire against professional make-believe. Scene varies between Belfast, the North of England, and Denver City, U.S.A. The hero, Dan Nevin, starts his career as a doctor, with high ideals—too high, as he discovers, for real life. The story is concerned with his love-affair and various other adventures. A fine plot, well worked out, with several striking characters. Moral tone high. Religion scarcely touched upon. There are interesting descriptions of Co. Down scenery and of life in Queen’s College, Belfast. The Author is a doctor, practising in Co. Armagh.
IRWIN, Madge.
⸺ THE DIAMOND MOUNTAIN; or, Flowers of Fairyland. (Dundalk: The Dundalgan Press). 1s. Illustr. by A. Donnelly. 1908. Cover in white and gold.