An Age of Innocence: Irish Culture 1930-1960

Abstract

Irish life between 1930 and 1960 is normally presented as a sort of cultural wasteland. In a radical re-examination of the period, Brian Fallon challenges this sterotype and argues that Ireland's cultural and artistic life was vigorous, continuous and fertile. He argues that the effects of literary censorship, while onerous and vexatious, were greatly exaggerated and that they did not have a stultifying effect on the cultural vitality of the country. Despite the censorship, literature flourished with such substantial writers as Flan O'Brien, Patrick Kavanagh, Sean O'Faolain, Frank O'Connor and Liam O'Flaherty. In the visual arts, figures as diverse as Evie Hone, Mainie Jellett, Norah Guinness, Louis le Brocquy and Patrick Hennessy all either established or consolidated their careers. In addition, the period saw the firm establishment of a public broadcasting service in Ireland and its sponsorship of a national symphony orchestra. Fallon's provocative and passionate survey of this period rescues it from the cliche-ridden neglect into which it has fallen. it will prompt a lively reassessment of these important years

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