Debate with the Author

 

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The importance of Daniel O'Connell Dear John Keane, Your book arrived this morning from a neighbour because we were out when the postman attempted to deliver it yesterday. A magisterial work, full of obvious scholarship. Congratulations.   It will be on the shelf in our bedroom, where I keep books for reference after things have got stuck in my mind during the day.  One day I'll read it from cover to cover. I opened your book to glance at the Irish references, but found very few. County Clare was the constituency of Daniel O'Connell, MP, and is commemorated in Ennis, our local town, with a column like Nelson in Trafalgar Square.  As you know he helped influence the government in Westminster to give Catholics the vote, but unless I am mistaken there is no mention of him.  Am I being niggardly or have I (most likely) missed something? I'm now looking forward to reading the reviews. Best wishes G. County Clare, Ireland

John Keane's reply Hi G., I much appreciate the warm thanks - and trust that you'll dip in and out of the book in the months to come. The extension of the vote to Catholics is mentioned in passing, but not Daniel O’Connell. Please remember the book’s a history of 'firsts' in the story of democracy and I'm afraid rights for Catholics happened much earlier elsewhere (in the Low Countries, for instance). But, you're right, with a surname like Keane I had to keep my wits about me, so try the index for the page on 'boycotts' (that's worth a book in itself) and Daniel Deniehy, the offspring of transported Irish Catholic parents. Thank you for the advice, let’s stay in touch and all the best, John

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