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Join us for a night to celebrate the launch of Unchanged And Unchangeable Austin Stack & The Irish Revolution by Owen O'Shea. The first modern biography of Austin Stack, exploring his role in 1916, Sinn Féin, and the War of Independence, and restoring attention to a figure often overshadowed in mainstream history.
‘Austin Stack, truly one of Ireland’s bravest and best.’
So said an unnamed mourner of one of the central Irish republican figures from the Irish revolutionary period, one whose contribution to the fight for freedom is often overlooked. From his role in the lead-up to the 1916 Rising to his senior positions in Sinn Féin and Dáil Éireann and his participation in the Irish delegation to London to discuss a treaty with Britain, Austin Stack stood at the heart of the political struggle for independence.
Behind this public role was a markedly private and self-effacing man who struggled with public speaking and often expressed doubt about his own abilities. Despite this, his reputation among his comrades was that of a figure of endurance and sacrifice. His devotion to the republican cause saw him endure multiple imprisonments and hunger strikes, which took a lasting toll on his health and led to a premature death. In this new biography, Owen O’Shea reveals a man whose presence was often understated but whose legacy is deeply felt today, a man who deserves to be remembered for his unswerving devotion to Ireland.
About the Author
Dr Owen O’Shea is the author of several books on history and politics in his native county of Kerry, including the highly-acclaimed No Middle Path: The Civil War in Kerry (Merrion Press, 2022), Ballymacandy: the Story of a Kerry Ambush (Merrion Press, 2021) and Heirs to the Kingdom: Kerry’s Political Dynasties (O’Brien Press, 2011). O’Shea currently works as Media, Communications and Customer Relations Officer with Kerry County Council. He holds a PhD from the School of History at UCD.
David McCullagh is an award-winning RTÉ journalist, broadcaster and historian, currently presenting Today with David McCullagh on RTÉ Radio 1, and holds a PhD in Politics from UCD. A highly regarded authority on modern Irish political history, he is the author of six books, including acclaimed biographies of Éamon de Valera and John A. Costello, and his latest work, From Crown to Harp: How the Anglo-Irish Treaty Was Undone.
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