Self-described as a ‘maverick’ he certainly comes across as a stoic character, hardened by conflict, but as regards politics and decision-making, the moniker may simply be translated as a man who can and did think for himself.
A cautionary note from the outset is that these memoirs were penned some decades after the actual events which give rise to a mild scepticism that the passing of time may have dulled memories or fashioned opinions to rhyme with subsequent narratives.
In fairness to the author he reminds us throughout of this time lapse and also, where possible, supplements the memoirs with corroborating evidence from national archives, other contemporary eyewitness testimonies and logical argument. Unlike certain current revisionists Dan Mulvihill does not deny his IRA involvement nor switches sides for personal political advancement, which allows the text to proceed with sufficient authenticity.
O’Shea’s approach is original in that he delves into other aspects of the conflict, invariably passed over by other works as deemed less interesting to the two conflicts which the author describes as ‘bookends’ to the truce called in 1921. And the results are informative.
As students and followers of republican history we tend to focus on the larger and more notable events in the conflict more often at the expense of the life experiences which directly impacted on the decision making of those involved at the time, both military and political. These insights are invaluable to a fuller understanding as to how our history unfolded and highlights the deeply flawed binary approach of the simplistic pro or anti-treaty, in particular as to how post-treaty politics developed and the different republican attitudes within it.
Mulvihill’s involvement in IRA actions, and internal IRA politics, are catalogued more as a personal insight into the man’s character as opposed to a cold chronology for historical reference. This approach led to an initial suspicion that the work was geared toward a more parochial audience as the myriad of names of his comrades and network of supporters leapt from the page.
At first the propensity for listing these names was seen as a testament to the author's rigorous research, which it is, but as the text evolves their true nature becomes more apparent in what represents a truly dark, depressing and demoralising experience outside of the military conflict, the application process for War of Independence pensions.
From Mulvihill’s perspective, this process represented an almost greater betrayal of the republican cause itself than the actual treaty did, and the work is to be congratulated on outlining how those who fought in the conflict inherited nothing more than an indifferent, and at times impenetrable bureaucracy. It is as fascinating as it is depressing and makes for essential reading.
During the War of Independence the IRA Brigades in Kerry were to the fore in the conflict, carrying out such notable operations as the Ballymacandy, Headford and Rathmore ambushes inflicting serious casualties on the British Army, RIC and Black and Tan forces. As an accurate barometer of their effectiveness the reprisals from the Black and Tans, most notably the burning of Ballylongford, affirmed the capabilities of Mulvihill, his comrades and network of supporters.
But Kerry was also noted for its savagery during the Civil War, far beyond that conflict's impact on other effective operational areas throughout Ireland. And again this is where O’Shea is to be congratulated on originality of approach. He identifies a triumvirate of potential reasons for this though does not set aside a specific chapter to address them. They evolve in accordance with Mulvihill’s memoirs but are notably identified.
Firstly there was a history of communal feuding in the Kerry region most notably in the mid nineteenth century with extensive fatalities common. In a rural setting with an oral tradition a bitter legacy is all but guaranteed.
Secondly the author references intelligence records from the IRA regarding informers which illuminate the motivations of those involved. Rather than being motivated by a sense of belief, or indeed financial inducement, invariably the reasons were of personal grudges and dislike of individual IRA Volunteers themselves.
Thirdly there was the manner in which the IRA policed the truce in the region, not exactly a bastion of impartiality, which threw fuel onto the fire of the inevitable differences that the Anglo-Irish Treaty would create. In essence the ingredients of deep divisions were already present, the impasse on the national question became an obvious outlet for their venting.
Those who were involved in struggle, the imposing experience of it, will identify with Dan Mulvihill, his decision-making process, the constant self-questioning when faced with deeply disappointing outcomes from a practicing politics which lacks the certainty that armed struggle demands, but seldom delivers.
And rather than seeing the time-lapse of his memoirs as an impediment to understanding his involvement in the events of that period, his efforts to make his republicanism relevant to each decade which passed from the signing of the treaty up to the conflict in the Six Counties much better explains the mindsets of those like him who continue to do so.
In truth, Dan Mulvihill is a metaphor for the many other Mulvihill’s who existed before, during and after him but whose voices remain unheard because we prioritise the view and narrative of those who ‘got there’ at the expense of the views and narratives of those who ‘got them there’. I strongly recommend One Man’s Ireland Memoirs of Dan Mulvihill, Maverick Republican by Owen O’Shea.
Owen O'Shea, 2025. One Man’s Ireland Memoirs of Dan Mulvihill, Maverick Republican.
A cautionary note from the outset is that these memoirs were penned some decades after the actual events which give rise to a mild scepticism that the passing of time may have dulled memories or fashioned opinions to rhyme with subsequent narratives.
In fairness to the author he reminds us throughout of this time lapse and also, where possible, supplements the memoirs with corroborating evidence from national archives, other contemporary eyewitness testimonies and logical argument. Unlike certain current revisionists Dan Mulvihill does not deny his IRA involvement nor switches sides for personal political advancement, which allows the text to proceed with sufficient authenticity.
O’Shea’s approach is original in that he delves into other aspects of the conflict, invariably passed over by other works as deemed less interesting to the two conflicts which the author describes as ‘bookends’ to the truce called in 1921. And the results are informative.
As students and followers of republican history we tend to focus on the larger and more notable events in the conflict more often at the expense of the life experiences which directly impacted on the decision making of those involved at the time, both military and political. These insights are invaluable to a fuller understanding as to how our history unfolded and highlights the deeply flawed binary approach of the simplistic pro or anti-treaty, in particular as to how post-treaty politics developed and the different republican attitudes within it.
Mulvihill’s involvement in IRA actions, and internal IRA politics, are catalogued more as a personal insight into the man’s character as opposed to a cold chronology for historical reference. This approach led to an initial suspicion that the work was geared toward a more parochial audience as the myriad of names of his comrades and network of supporters leapt from the page.
At first the propensity for listing these names was seen as a testament to the author's rigorous research, which it is, but as the text evolves their true nature becomes more apparent in what represents a truly dark, depressing and demoralising experience outside of the military conflict, the application process for War of Independence pensions.
From Mulvihill’s perspective, this process represented an almost greater betrayal of the republican cause itself than the actual treaty did, and the work is to be congratulated on outlining how those who fought in the conflict inherited nothing more than an indifferent, and at times impenetrable bureaucracy. It is as fascinating as it is depressing and makes for essential reading.
During the War of Independence the IRA Brigades in Kerry were to the fore in the conflict, carrying out such notable operations as the Ballymacandy, Headford and Rathmore ambushes inflicting serious casualties on the British Army, RIC and Black and Tan forces. As an accurate barometer of their effectiveness the reprisals from the Black and Tans, most notably the burning of Ballylongford, affirmed the capabilities of Mulvihill, his comrades and network of supporters.
But Kerry was also noted for its savagery during the Civil War, far beyond that conflict's impact on other effective operational areas throughout Ireland. And again this is where O’Shea is to be congratulated on originality of approach. He identifies a triumvirate of potential reasons for this though does not set aside a specific chapter to address them. They evolve in accordance with Mulvihill’s memoirs but are notably identified.
Firstly there was a history of communal feuding in the Kerry region most notably in the mid nineteenth century with extensive fatalities common. In a rural setting with an oral tradition a bitter legacy is all but guaranteed.
Secondly the author references intelligence records from the IRA regarding informers which illuminate the motivations of those involved. Rather than being motivated by a sense of belief, or indeed financial inducement, invariably the reasons were of personal grudges and dislike of individual IRA Volunteers themselves.
Thirdly there was the manner in which the IRA policed the truce in the region, not exactly a bastion of impartiality, which threw fuel onto the fire of the inevitable differences that the Anglo-Irish Treaty would create. In essence the ingredients of deep divisions were already present, the impasse on the national question became an obvious outlet for their venting.
Those who were involved in struggle, the imposing experience of it, will identify with Dan Mulvihill, his decision-making process, the constant self-questioning when faced with deeply disappointing outcomes from a practicing politics which lacks the certainty that armed struggle demands, but seldom delivers.
And rather than seeing the time-lapse of his memoirs as an impediment to understanding his involvement in the events of that period, his efforts to make his republicanism relevant to each decade which passed from the signing of the treaty up to the conflict in the Six Counties much better explains the mindsets of those like him who continue to do so.
In truth, Dan Mulvihill is a metaphor for the many other Mulvihill’s who existed before, during and after him but whose voices remain unheard because we prioritise the view and narrative of those who ‘got there’ at the expense of the views and narratives of those who ‘got them there’. I strongly recommend One Man’s Ireland Memoirs of Dan Mulvihill, Maverick Republican by Owen O’Shea.
Owen O'Shea, 2025. One Man’s Ireland Memoirs of Dan Mulvihill, Maverick Republican.
Merrion. ISBN-13: 978-1785375453
⏩ The Fenian Way was a full time activist during the IRA's war against the British.
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