On the Western Front Association’s Mentioned in Dispatches podcast that I present, I recorded an interesting interview relevant to the history of Belfast. I talk to historian and author Brian Feeney about his latest book, Antrim and the Irish Revolution, 1912 – 23.
You can listen to it here () or via your podcast provider (e.g. Acast, Spotify, Apple, Stitcher).
His latest book explores the impact of the Great War and Irish War of Independence on the County of Antrim in Ulster. Antrim in the early 20th century contained most of Belfast – the largest city in Ireland – which dominated the economy of the north-east. Belfast was tightly integrated into Britain’s politics and economy, and the vast majority of its inhabitants, who were overwhelmingly Presbyterian and unionist like the rest of the county, were determined to keep it that way. Brian talks about the economic, political and social impact the events of 1912-1923 had on the people of Antrim.
His book is published by Fourt Courts press () Brian Feeney, a political columnist with the Irish News, was Head of History at St Mary’s University College, Belfast for many years. He is co-author of the award-winning Lost Lives: the stories of the men, women and children killed in the Northern Ireland Troubles and author of Sinn Féin: a hundred turbulent years (2002), A Short History of the Troubles (2007), Insider: Gerry Bradley’s Life in the IRA (2011), Seán Mac Diarmada (2014).