Massive Offaly book project nears completion

TULLAMORE man Raymond Daly is putting the finishing touches to a mammoth book which marries Irish history and culture with a specific emphasis on the critical years of the early 20th century.

Ten Faithful Years (1913-1923) In Song and Story was compiled and written over a nine-year period and it will run to over 500 pages with local history, numerous illustrations and lyrics from popular Irish ballads.

On a working copy of the back cover Raymond (pictured below) outlines why he undertook the project. “The overall goal for this book is to inform and educate the reader about the courage, bravery and commitment shown by the forgotten men and women of 'The People's Army' who were involved in key historical, social and cultural events in Ireland's Revolutionary period during the most tumultuous decade in Irish history,” he writes.

He says the Historical Songbook tells the “true story of the Irish heroes and their brave and daring deeds” in events leading up to, and during the Great War and the fight for Irish freedom between 1913 and 1923.

The book deals specifically with events which took place in his own home town of Tullamore, plus events in south Westmeath “which were mirrored throughout Ireland during those turbulent years”.

There are over 100 songs and ballads included and Raymond says they are “the literary, poetic and musical expression of the people, by the people and for the people”.

Among the songs are Foggy Dew, Grace, Banna Strand, The Ballad of James Connolly and World War I songs such as Pack up your Troubles, It's a Long way to Tipperary, Daisy Daisy and Danny Boy.

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A speech given by Tullamore historian Michael Byrne on the 100th anniversary of the Tullamore Incident inspired Raymond to begin his research.

Raymond's grand uncle John Martin (pictured below) was one of the men who was present in the Sinn Fein rooms on William Street on that day, March 20, 1916 when there was a violent confrontation with local police.

The Tullamore Incident is sometimes referred to as 'The first shots of the Easter Rising' because the Easter Rising began a month later on April 24, 1916.

Raymond had previously collaborated with Derek Warfield of the Wolfe Tones on the 2008 book, Celtic and Ireland: Song and Story, which is a compilation and explanation of the many ballads associated with supporters of Celtic Football Club.

Ten Faithful Years (1913-1923) In Song and Story will be printed locally in hardback and Raymond expects it to be finalised by November.  For more information, or to contact him pre-sale, email raydaly1969@gmail.com