When this book was originally published in 1960 no full-length study of the Parnell ‘split’ had been made, despite it being such a landmark in Irish history. The book treats the eleven months between the verdict on the O’Shea divorce case the death of Parnell as a dramatic unity. This was the first modern work to provide a connected account of such neglected episodes as the ‘Boulogne negotiations’ and Parnell’s final campaign in Ireland. The crisis was a crisis for English liberalism as well as Irish nationalism and the author discusses the effects of the catastrophe upon Gladstone and his colleagues. The author obtained access to several valuable collections of private papers in England and Ireland which throw a lot of light upon the actions and opinions of the main participants in this famous tragedy.
1.The Years of Power 2. The O’Shea Affair 3. War of Manoeuvre 4. The Parnell Manifesto 5. Committee Room Fifteen 6. The Rift Widens 7. An American Interlude 8. The Boulogne Negotiations 9. The Liberal Guarantees 10. In Decline 11. The Last Phase. Conclusion. Appendices: The Parnell Manifesto. A Note on Party Finances.
Biography
F.S.L. Lyons
Original reviews of The Fall of Parnell:
‘This is an outstandingly good book…[Lyons’] scholarship is sure, as is his judgement of men and events, and he writes a smooth-flowing, compelling narrative.’ Roy Jenkins, The Listener.
‘…a brilliant and exciting analysis of one of the major crises in the history of nineteenth century Irish nationalism.’ Lawrence J. McCaffrey, American Historical Review, Volume 66 Issue 1 (1960).
‘Dr. Lyons’ narrative is clear and his judgments command respect.’ Christopher Howard, Irish Historical Studies, Volume 12, Issue 47, (1961).
