Galway and The Great War
William Henry
When the First World War was declared, a surge of euphoria swept across Great
Britain and Ireland engulfing all in its path. In England, most men joined for
‘King and country’. However, in Ireland the reasons men joined up were many and
varied.
Galway and The Great War explores these reasons and all aspects of the effects that
the war had on Galway. It deals with the outbreak of the conflict and the effect
that the war had on the Galway area, the mobilisation, recruitment, conscription,
opposition, threat and suspicion, the war at sea, the industry of war, support for
the troops at the front and the aftermath. Accounts of the main battles are given
through contemporary letters and interviews from Galwaymen serving at the front.
Almost every family in Ireland was affected by the Great War. However, with dramatic
changes in the political climate, these men returned to a very different Ireland.
They went away as heroes, but returned almost as traitors, unable to tell anyone of
the horrors and suffering they had been part of.
A lively account of the many ways in which Galway responded to the Great War and of
the shifting attitudes and responses of the people of Galway to the conduct and cost
of the war as well as to the changing political climate in Ireland.
Gearóid ÓTuathaigh - Prof of History, UCG
Author Information
William Henry is a historian, archaeologist and author from Galway city. His highly
acclaimed book, Supreme Sacrifice: The Story of Eamonn Ceannt, was published last
year.
Galway and The Great War
is published in paperback at €20.00
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