Reviews of Birthing the Republic of Ireland

Birthing the Republic of Ireland, by Mary Ann Keough, is an amazing book, and I wanted to share with you some of my impressions. It is “historically based, told from the point of view of Ms. Keough’s great-grandfather’s time, when the whole island of Ireland was one country under British rule. Northern Ireland did not yet exist...” —Chris Snidow, Pilgrim Witnesses

  • It follows the story of young Frank Bradley, beginning in Liverpool in 1854, when at 20 years old, he made the transatlantic crossing by boat to America, hoping to find a better life there than in Ireland.

    We take a quick look back at the politics and life-changing Potato Famine of 1846, which led to approximately four million people lost to Ireland forever as a result of death or emigration. Frank was just 13 years old when the Famine started and 18 when it ended, during his most formative years.

    Ireland was also afflicted with British occupation. Widespread acts of violence between both Catholics and Protestants were frequent. Frank was so affected by all of this that he would spend the rest of his life working for Ireland’s liberation from British rule.

    Ms. Keough knew this story well, but she discovered much more as she began to study the history of this part of her family in detail.

    This book held my interest from the beginning, but the more I read, the more I became hooked on this fascinating and enlightening journey.

    Nothing in my travels to Ireland gave me such a clear view and better understanding of the Irish heart and hospitality than I found in Ms. Keough’s book. It opened my eyes, and gave me the desire to return there again now. I know I would see things quite differently.

    Frank’s experiences in America, were many and profound. He was there when the Civil War began, and he signed up. Fortunately, Ms. Keough doesn’t skimp on this part of his life. I learned a lot! 

    The Fenian Brotherhood in America was founded in 1858 with the mission to free Ireland from British rule. Frank fought in the U.S. Civil War as a Fenian Brother.

    We learn about so many interesting aspects of these tumultuous times. By the time Frank dies (1915), we’ve observed many changes within his family and life, and feel as if we know them. 

    And throughout, I sensed God’s quiet presence, providing the glue that ties it all together. 

    Indeed, putting this book together must have been a formidable undertaking. But Ms. Keough's masterful writing skills, rise to the challenge, always keeping the reader wondering what’s coming next, and then turning the page to find out. It was only at the end that I realized how much I had enjoyed and learned from all these wonderful firsthand accounts. Well done Ms. Keough! Highly recommended.

Teri Murphy is the Associate Director for Peacebuilding Research at the Ohio State University’s Mershon Center for International Security Studies. She has been actively engaged in conflict intervention and peacebuilding in several international contexts for the past 30 years. Email: Teri Murphymurphy.1800@osu.edu.

She writes: You are such an accessible writer, and it’s clear that you have a deep passion for history and storytelling - it truly is in your Irish blood. I could easily imagine you tracking through letters and archives, listening to the oral histories of living family members. What an extraordinary lineage - one marked by resilience and fortitude. I can see where you got your verve. Congratulations on getting this published. I would imagine there is a ready readership for it, especially among the Irish diasporas. I wonder where you’ll be off to next. It was such an encouragement to hear where your curiosity and heart are taking you…

Elizabeth Klise, Executive Director, Peoria Historical Society, 611 SW Washington Street, Peoria, IL 61602, 309-674-1921 writes:

Dear Mary Ann: I read your book this weekend and thoroughly enjoyed it. What a tremendous amount of research you’ve done, not only into your own family history, but Peoria and Irish history as well. ..I was particularly interested in the story of Josephine Joy…The photographs you included too are very intriguing…I love how you took it upon yourself to capture your mother’s history. Again, to me, your book walks the perfect line between history history and personal history. So engaging…. Your book with its wonderful cover photo is sitting right before me on my desk, and it buoys my spirit. Wonderful book! Liz.