Dear readers,
I'm delighted to announce the upcoming Cork city launch on 4 December as follows:
Rebel Aghada, now on its fifth print run, remains available from this site (paperback only) and in selected shops and book stores at €15 each in Aghada, Midleton and Dublin, as follows:
and
The book's main features are
· An impressive cover spread featuring contemporary portrait photographs of an Aghada Volunteer and of a member of Cumann na mBan, with her brooch.
· Pages: xi, 134
· Unique photos and papers from private family archives
· Eight appendices, including a record for posterity of the names of officers and Volunteers of L Company, 4th Battalion, 1st Cork Brigade, July 1921
· A high quality fold-out Ordnance Survey map of the parish, and a featured sites map of military engagements
· Top quality publishing craftsmanship by CRM Design + Print Ltd., Dublin 12
International success
We are delighted with Rebel Aghada’s success in the parish, in Ireland and around the world. It has been a special pleasure to post copies to the Aghada diaspora and their descendants. Our records, so far, show online sales to Britain, France, Germany, USA, Australia and New Zealand, and throughout Ireland.
Testimonials received to date include:
From academia
The prominent historian, Sinéad McCoole, and member of the Irish government's Expert Advisory Group on the Decade of Centenaries, wrote:
Rebel Aghada by Billy Fitzpatrick, is Irish history from the perspective of an East Cork parish. The book uses an impressive array of sources, involving an intricate mix of official records and personal recollections. The depth, and indeed the added value of this book, lies in the biographical detail that provides context for stories of revolution. It is my earnest hope that Rebel Aghada will inspire others to write of their own people, parishes and places during this decade of centenaries.
From the Aghada diaspora
Des Lloyd, Gold Coast, Australia
The book has arrived and the first 50 pages have gone in the blink of an eye. I have found it enthralling to know the area I spent my summers and consider home could be such a hive of nationalism and it makes me proud to know my family has a tiny role within that. Many thanks Des
Diarmuid Dunne, Arizona, USA
I am on my third read of Rebel Aghada. I continue learning more interesting details every time I read it. I find the Clonmult story quite disturbing.
Marybeth Reynolds, South Carolina, USA
I want to tell you how much my family and I are enjoying your book. We have already ordered six of them for different family members here in the US
Josh Mahony, Cambridgeshire, England
A massive thank you for taking the time to write this fantastic book, the level of research and dedication put into it by yourself and everyone else involved is truly admirable and I honestly couldn't put the book down once I started reading. My grandparents were from Glanturkin & Guileen but they never spoke about the Revolution and they certainly never revealed that anything happened in Aghada (even though it transpires that my grandmother's 1st cousins, the Foley brothers, were in the Aghada Company) Thank you once again for writing this priceless piece of history. It really is special to me, and something I will cherish (and hopefully pass down to my children one day).
Tony Fitzpatrick, Cardiff
A fantastic and riveting book, full of detail! And all go from the start! Easy to read and to follow. The rest of the small parishes of Ireland will say Yeah, we can all do that! A wake-up call for the country … The contents will come as a shock to most people in the parish. Will have a big, positive effect. Giving respect to people who weren’t respected. Will bring the parish together. And then the place names of all the little places and villages now down in print! There's a movie in it with all its twists and turns and surprises. That is, when it goes nationwide in about a year or two. It represents Ireland, not just Aghada. That generation are all partying in the spirit world now: We have finally got recognition, we are finally being appreciated, and for years to come!
From Ireland
Anne Crehan, Newbridge, Co. Galway
The local history detail I found astounding! Really liked the way credit given to the many Protestant landowners who behaved admirably. Loved whole story of Mary Higgins and the Land War incident. Love the local anecdotes and v. vibrant images of great local characters such as Denis Kelly, who seemed to be into everything, and getting help from unexpected quarters because of his hunting and smuggling activities!
Seán Ó Raghallaigh, Coirnéal (ar scor), Óglaigh na hÉireann, Baile Átha Cliath
Cúntas cuimsitheach, bunaithe ar thaighde théagartha, atá sa leabhar seo. Tá an leabhar leagtha amach in ord deas so-léite, lán le heolas. Tá seirbhís déanta ag an túdar don phobal áitiúil. Tá saothar fiúntach cruthaithe aige in ómós dóibh siúd a ghlac páirt sa réabhlóid. Táimid uile faoi chomaoin ag an nglúin seo.
Dónal Óg O’Sullivan, Togher, Cork
Very interesting ...great writing style....of course a strong connection with the British navy in the area...as they used to say about the British navy: 'Timber on the outside and all Cork on the inside.'
An Phoblacht (Feb./ March 2021)
Rebel Aghada ranks among the best books of the Decade of Centenaries...It is a fascinating read.
Dr Dermot Quish, former president of the Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland
A hugely enjoyable, well-written book… Rebel Aghada provides a skillful interaction between the micro and macro political and military landscapes during the War of Independence.
Dr Peter Rigney, author of How Railwaymen and Dockers Defied an Empire (Dublin, 2021)
Great book and a really enjoyable read.
And a selection from the parish of Aghada
Aghada GAA Club
A fantastic book, written by Aghada GAA life member, Billy Fitzpatrick
Joe Day, Guileen (and Urlingford, Co. Kilkenny)
Rebel Aghada is extremely well written, researched, referenced and the conclusions at the end of each chapter help put events in context. It shines a light on several events, places as well as people that were unknown to many, yet on our doorstep.
John C. Garde, Ballyshane (and Lucan, Co. Dublin)
It’s the first time I've read a book on the parish which tells of the ordinary people. And, as far as I’m concerned, this is the first time all areas of the parish – north, south, east and west – are given equal treatment.
Charles Hayes, Rathcoursey
This is a great book. It's THE baseline book of the struggle for Independence in our parish and a most important reference for any scholar delving into the revolutionary history of Ireland.
Martha Walsh, Upper Aghada
I'm thoroughly enjoying the book and am only half way through!Lovely to see my grand aunt Ellen featured and you've certainly started many history related conversation in this family and beyond. I've sold another copy for you to Allison Horgan up in our school in Aghada. Her grandfather is featured in the Ballyregan story. I’d say word of mouth will have you sold out in no time!
---------------------------------------------------
The price again for the book is €15 - or €20, to include €5 for post and packaging to anywhere in the world, when bought online from this site.
All good wishes; stay safe from Covid-19; and happy reading.
Beir bua!
Billy Fitzpatrick
26 Oct. 2021
I'm delighted to announce the upcoming Cork city launch on 4 December as follows:
Rebel Aghada, now on its fifth print run, remains available from this site (paperback only) and in selected shops and book stores at €15 each in Aghada, Midleton and Dublin, as follows:
- Eurospar supermarket, Whitegate - and other Aghada outlets
- McCarthy News, 43 Main Street, Midleton
and
- Terenure Village Bookshop, 101 Terenure Road North, Dublin 6W.
- Sinn Féin Bookshop, 58 Parnell Square Dublin 1
- Connolly Books, 43 Essex Street E, Dublin 2.
- Alan Hanna’s Bookshop, Rathmines, Dublin 6
The book's main features are
· An impressive cover spread featuring contemporary portrait photographs of an Aghada Volunteer and of a member of Cumann na mBan, with her brooch.
· Pages: xi, 134
· Unique photos and papers from private family archives
· Eight appendices, including a record for posterity of the names of officers and Volunteers of L Company, 4th Battalion, 1st Cork Brigade, July 1921
· A high quality fold-out Ordnance Survey map of the parish, and a featured sites map of military engagements
· Top quality publishing craftsmanship by CRM Design + Print Ltd., Dublin 12
- Paperback ISBN no.: 978-0-9955975-5-6
International success
We are delighted with Rebel Aghada’s success in the parish, in Ireland and around the world. It has been a special pleasure to post copies to the Aghada diaspora and their descendants. Our records, so far, show online sales to Britain, France, Germany, USA, Australia and New Zealand, and throughout Ireland.
Testimonials received to date include:
From academia
The prominent historian, Sinéad McCoole, and member of the Irish government's Expert Advisory Group on the Decade of Centenaries, wrote:
Rebel Aghada by Billy Fitzpatrick, is Irish history from the perspective of an East Cork parish. The book uses an impressive array of sources, involving an intricate mix of official records and personal recollections. The depth, and indeed the added value of this book, lies in the biographical detail that provides context for stories of revolution. It is my earnest hope that Rebel Aghada will inspire others to write of their own people, parishes and places during this decade of centenaries.
From the Aghada diaspora
Des Lloyd, Gold Coast, Australia
The book has arrived and the first 50 pages have gone in the blink of an eye. I have found it enthralling to know the area I spent my summers and consider home could be such a hive of nationalism and it makes me proud to know my family has a tiny role within that. Many thanks Des
Diarmuid Dunne, Arizona, USA
I am on my third read of Rebel Aghada. I continue learning more interesting details every time I read it. I find the Clonmult story quite disturbing.
Marybeth Reynolds, South Carolina, USA
I want to tell you how much my family and I are enjoying your book. We have already ordered six of them for different family members here in the US
Josh Mahony, Cambridgeshire, England
A massive thank you for taking the time to write this fantastic book, the level of research and dedication put into it by yourself and everyone else involved is truly admirable and I honestly couldn't put the book down once I started reading. My grandparents were from Glanturkin & Guileen but they never spoke about the Revolution and they certainly never revealed that anything happened in Aghada (even though it transpires that my grandmother's 1st cousins, the Foley brothers, were in the Aghada Company) Thank you once again for writing this priceless piece of history. It really is special to me, and something I will cherish (and hopefully pass down to my children one day).
Tony Fitzpatrick, Cardiff
A fantastic and riveting book, full of detail! And all go from the start! Easy to read and to follow. The rest of the small parishes of Ireland will say Yeah, we can all do that! A wake-up call for the country … The contents will come as a shock to most people in the parish. Will have a big, positive effect. Giving respect to people who weren’t respected. Will bring the parish together. And then the place names of all the little places and villages now down in print! There's a movie in it with all its twists and turns and surprises. That is, when it goes nationwide in about a year or two. It represents Ireland, not just Aghada. That generation are all partying in the spirit world now: We have finally got recognition, we are finally being appreciated, and for years to come!
From Ireland
Anne Crehan, Newbridge, Co. Galway
The local history detail I found astounding! Really liked the way credit given to the many Protestant landowners who behaved admirably. Loved whole story of Mary Higgins and the Land War incident. Love the local anecdotes and v. vibrant images of great local characters such as Denis Kelly, who seemed to be into everything, and getting help from unexpected quarters because of his hunting and smuggling activities!
Seán Ó Raghallaigh, Coirnéal (ar scor), Óglaigh na hÉireann, Baile Átha Cliath
Cúntas cuimsitheach, bunaithe ar thaighde théagartha, atá sa leabhar seo. Tá an leabhar leagtha amach in ord deas so-léite, lán le heolas. Tá seirbhís déanta ag an túdar don phobal áitiúil. Tá saothar fiúntach cruthaithe aige in ómós dóibh siúd a ghlac páirt sa réabhlóid. Táimid uile faoi chomaoin ag an nglúin seo.
Dónal Óg O’Sullivan, Togher, Cork
Very interesting ...great writing style....of course a strong connection with the British navy in the area...as they used to say about the British navy: 'Timber on the outside and all Cork on the inside.'
An Phoblacht (Feb./ March 2021)
Rebel Aghada ranks among the best books of the Decade of Centenaries...It is a fascinating read.
Dr Dermot Quish, former president of the Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland
A hugely enjoyable, well-written book… Rebel Aghada provides a skillful interaction between the micro and macro political and military landscapes during the War of Independence.
Dr Peter Rigney, author of How Railwaymen and Dockers Defied an Empire (Dublin, 2021)
Great book and a really enjoyable read.
And a selection from the parish of Aghada
Aghada GAA Club
A fantastic book, written by Aghada GAA life member, Billy Fitzpatrick
Joe Day, Guileen (and Urlingford, Co. Kilkenny)
Rebel Aghada is extremely well written, researched, referenced and the conclusions at the end of each chapter help put events in context. It shines a light on several events, places as well as people that were unknown to many, yet on our doorstep.
John C. Garde, Ballyshane (and Lucan, Co. Dublin)
It’s the first time I've read a book on the parish which tells of the ordinary people. And, as far as I’m concerned, this is the first time all areas of the parish – north, south, east and west – are given equal treatment.
Charles Hayes, Rathcoursey
This is a great book. It's THE baseline book of the struggle for Independence in our parish and a most important reference for any scholar delving into the revolutionary history of Ireland.
Martha Walsh, Upper Aghada
I'm thoroughly enjoying the book and am only half way through!Lovely to see my grand aunt Ellen featured and you've certainly started many history related conversation in this family and beyond. I've sold another copy for you to Allison Horgan up in our school in Aghada. Her grandfather is featured in the Ballyregan story. I’d say word of mouth will have you sold out in no time!
---------------------------------------------------
The price again for the book is €15 - or €20, to include €5 for post and packaging to anywhere in the world, when bought online from this site.
All good wishes; stay safe from Covid-19; and happy reading.
Beir bua!
Billy Fitzpatrick
26 Oct. 2021
