Padraig Deignan’s new book is to be launched by the Deputy Mayor of Sligo, Cllr Tony McLoughlin on Friday, 30 July 2010 at 7.30 pm in Sligo City Hall

About The Book

This is a story of the lives of individuals both Protestant and Catholic as well as communities, groups and organisations.  Read about the voting antics of the internationally infamous politician the wily John Jinks.  The Protestants who fought for the I.R.A. in the War of Independence and the Civil War.  The Nationalist sympathies of W.B. Yeats and the more extreme activities of Countess Markievicz on behalf of the cause of Irish freedom.  The businessman George Williams who cooked the books when applying for British compensation.  The story of the well known politician, landowner and military officer Bryan Cooper, who although a committed Unionist came to understand the aspirations of his fellow Catholic and Nationalist countrymen and publicly called for cooperation after his experiences in the First World War.
The efforts of Josslyn Gore-Booth and Arthur Jackson to bring industry to Sligo, encouraging new farming practices and establishing manufacturing industries in Sligo.  The events which have defined Sligo in Irish history, such as the first election held under Proportional Representation in Ireland or Britain in January 1919 and the events surrounding its first use in the Sligo Borough Election and its results which began the success of the Sligo Ratepayers Association, an organisation which united Protestants, Catholics, Unionists and Nationalists.  The setting up of the Sligo Chamber of Commerce by Protestant and some Catholic businessmen in January 1923 at the height of the Civil War in order to promote economic activity.  The active involvement by Protestant landowners along with Protestant and Catholic merchants in the commercial activity of Sligo town and especially in the development and maintenance of Sligo port and in the construction of the railways in the county from the latter part of the nineteenth century to the mid twentieth century.

About the Author

Padraig Deignan is a PhD graduate of NUI Maynooth. He is also a graduate of NUI Galway where he was awarded a BA, MA and a Higher Diploma in Education and has worked as a teacher in Sligo for a number of years.

Phone: 0876644504
E-mail: Padraigdeignan@hotmail.com