Readers of this 390-page volume may be tempted to focus first on the last essay of the 16 that comprise this book - that on the late Archbishop J.C. McQuaid by Deirdre McMahon, which turns out to be, rather surprisingly in a collection such as this, a critical study of the man and his mission. Yet McMahon is not the only contributor to shed fresh and unbiased light on the development of the diocese of Dublin from its foundations to modern times. There are new and authoritative perspectives on the effects of the Reformation in Dublin and the Catholic response (by Dr James Murray and Colm Lennon respectively), a positive rehabilitation of the reputation of Archbishop John Troy (by Daire Keogh himself), chapters on the careers of other archbishops such as Daniel Murray, William Walsh and Paul Cullen (by Professor Donal Kerr, David C. Sheehy and Father Ciaran O'Carroll respectively) and a fine introduction on the historiography of the Dublin diocese by the other editor, James Kelly, who also contributes an essay on the impact of the penal laws.
This is not the history of the diocese of Dublin, but the 16 essays do add up to as informative a collection on the subject as one can currently find. Strangely, Dublin Archdiocese lacks a full, narrative history similar to Carrigan's four-volume History and Antiquities of the Diocese of Ossory, to take but one 19th-century example. But, with so many dedicated historians (such as the 16 contributors here) working on aspects of Dublin Diocese's history, perhaps such a complete history is on the way.
Francis Frith's Around Dublin (Frith Book Company, £12.99)
Though the surname is found in Ireland in a nationalist context, Francis Frith was a successful Victorian businessman in Liverpool who, on selling his grocery empire for the modern equivalent of £15,000,000 about 1855, began to indulge his passion for travel and photography. He was the first photographer to venture beyond the sixth Nile cataract and his photographs of the region excited rapturous response in London. But it was his views of British cities, towns and villages that made his name, and even after his death in 1898 his staff continued to record such scenes until 1970. The Frith company also launched its own specialist book company, of which Around Dublin is one of the latest. The photographs of Dublin were taken in 1897 and are a valuable record of the city at that time. The text, by Helen Livingston, will not be felicitous to all Irish readers and some of the captions are inaccurate and contradictory.
Inis Meain Images - Ten Days in August 1912. Henry Cecil Watson, photographer; John Neill Watson, editor (Wolfhound Press, £14.99)
Another book of photographs, but the contrast with Frith's collection could not be greater. While Frith pictured buildings, Watson (1883-1971) concentrated on the people of Inis Meain, where he spent 10 days in 1912. A Dublin Quaker with no particular affinity with the island or its people, Watson nevertheless soon fell under their spell - he later learnt Irish and became a member of the Gaelic League. His empathy with the islanders and their threatened way of life is evident in the remarkable photographs and commentary (edited here by his son) in this unusual book. Watson captures images of Inis Meain no longer available - women in their shawls, men in pampooties, boys in dresses. Only the island itself, in all its rugged beauty, remains physically unchanged. This is truly a valuable archive of visual history now preserved in attractive form.
Buildings of Co Armagh. By C. E. B. Brett, with photographs by Michael O'Connell (Ulster Architectural Heritage Society, £28)
How has the North of Ireland generally managed, despite many vicissitudes, to preserve so many fine buildings, compared, say, with the Republic's rather scanty stock? This is a question that jumps to mind while perusing this comprehensive 300-page volume, a companion to the author's Buildings of Co Antrim (1996) and Buildings of Belfast (1967). Perhaps the answer lies in a continuity of ownership through a certain class, a hint of which is contained in Brett's introduction when he refers to "the defensive (and understandable) security-consciousness of many householders". Be that as it may, this is a magnificent record of Armagh's architectural heritage, ranging from antiquities, fortifications and ruins (eg Navan Fort) through churches and chapels, grand houses, middling-sized houses, small houses and cottages to follies, monuments and memorials. There are scores of fine photographs (some 16 in colour) by Michael O'Connell, and the author's commentary is not only detailed and informative but also amusing - a pleasing touch in what otherwise might have been an intimidating work.
Richard Roche is a local historian, journalist and author