The Voice of the Provinces

Ireland’s regional and provincial newspapers have played a largely unrecognised role in Irish history, this book charts their experiences in the dramatic and sometimes violent years leading up to independence. They were not immune from the conflict – they risked censorship, suppression, prolonged closure, and sometimes violent attack. This book tells their story for the first time.

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Ireland’s regional newspapers were among the first to record the turbulent events that took place in the country between 1914 and 1921. But who were the personalities behind these papers and what was their background? Did they remain as impassive bystanders while dramatic developments unfolded or were they willing or unwilling participants? What were the difficulties they faced when reporting such formative and sometimes violent events? This book addresses these questions and provides a comprehensive portrayal of the regional press across the entire island at that time. The origins of Ireland’s contemporary provincial newspapers, both nationalist and unionist, as well as independent, are examined and those who ran such publications are profiled. Additionally, the manner in which many of these titles reacted to events during these years is scrutinised and analysed. How did they respond to the Easter Rising? Did they foresee the rise of Sinn Féin? Did they approve of the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921? This was a time when regional newspapers risked censorship, suppression, possible closure, and ultimately violent attack. This book records their experiences and charts the history of Ireland’s regional press during the tumultuous and violent years leading up to independence.