The Gates Flew Open

ISBN: 9781781171691

written by Peadar O'Donnell.

The Gates Flew Open - an Irish Civil War Prison Diary.

DETAILS:

Peadar O'Donnell became involved in Irish republicanism through his initial involvement in socialism as an organiser for the ITGWU.When he was unsuccessful in establishing a branch of the Irish Citizen Army in Derry he joined the IRA and led guerrilla activities in Donegal and Derry during the War of Independence.

He was a member of the Executive of the anti-Treaty IRA and was in the Four Courts when it was attacked by Free State forces. He was arrested shortly afterwards and was involved in organising a hunger strike among the anti-Treaty Republicans which lasted 41 days.

While in prison he began writing 'to escape the bare walls of the prison cell'. This is a story of prison life in the midst of Civil War in Ireland that combines glimpses of humour with moments of tragic poignancy as the author describes games of handball and bridge with men who faced the firing squad within twenty-four hours.

O'Donnell was one of the last survivors of the Independence struggle in Ireland, retaining his radicalism and idealism right up to his death in 1986 at the age of 93.

Peadar O'Donnell was born in Meenamore, Donegal in 1893 and trained as a teacher. He joined the IRA during the War of Independence and quickly rose through the ranks. He published his first novel, Storm, in 1925 followed by Islanders in 1928. In 1964 he became editor of The Bell and remained as its editor until 1954. He died in 1986.

Above published in Mercier Press.