Lecture by Irish author Patrick O'Sullivan Greene
Patrick O'Sullivan Greene will give a lecture on Wednesday 24th January 2024 at 7pm at the Library in Monaco. Patrick's new book 'Revolution at the Waldorf: America and the Irish War of Independence' tells the real history of the money, power and political battles that defined Irish-America for a generation.
Biography
Revolution at the Waldorf: America and the Irish War of Independence, by Patrick O’Sullivan Greene, was published in Ireland in 2022 and in America in September 2023. His first book, Crowdfunding the Revolution: The First Dáil Loan and the Battle for Irish Independence, was released in 2020 to critical acclaim: President Michael D. Higgins invited Patrick to present the book to him at Áras an Uachtaráin; Paschal Donohoe, Irish Minister for Finance, wrote: ‘The quality of writing and the pace of storytelling ensure that this is not a niche or specialist work of history. This is a compelling read. I wish I had written it myself’; while Professor Francis M. Carroll called it a ‘very important book.’ Patrick has written articles for the Irish Times, appeared on the David McWilliams Podcast, and on national and local media.
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Click HERE for details on the author and his recent book, 'Revolution at the Waldorf: America and the Irish War of Independence' - the real history of the money, power and political battles that defined Irish-America for a generation.
Book review of Patrick's first book 'Crowdfunding the Revolution: The First Dáil Loan and the Battle for Irish Independence'.
“The quality of writing and the pace of storytelling ensure that this is not a niche or specialist work of history. This is a compelling read. I wish I had written it myself.” Paschal Donohoe, Minister for Finance, Ireland
Save the date!
Wednesday 24th January 2024
Lecture theme
From Revolution to Royalty - The making of an Irish-American Princess
In his debut novel, This Side of Paradise, F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote that Amory Blaine, modelled on Fitzgerald himself, 'suspected that being Irish was being somewhat common.' Fitzgerald's Irish heritage, and lack of independent wealth, manifested itself in an inferiority complex and feeling like a parvenu in Anglo-Saxon American society. This Side of Paradise was published to critical and commercial success in 1920, just nine years before the birth of Grace Patricia Kelly.
Fitzgerald did not challenge the roots of his insecurity in his writing, but fortunately for the young Grace, with her 'common' heritage, others would devote their lives to the elevation of those of the Irish race in America. They opposed anti-Irish caricatures in literature, and stage-Irish drama, and pro-English revisionist interpretations of American history; highlighting the contribution of the Irish in the American Revolutionary War and the Civil War. They supported the fight for an independent Ireland to remove the stigma attached to the Irish race that would exist as long as the homeland was under English rule. Daniel F. Cohalan, justice of the supreme court of New York and Irish-American leader, declared in 1920: ‘Because of our Irish blood, we are handicapped in America and, consequently, have an interest in the freedom of the race.'
In the same year, Jack Kelly, a young Philadelphia bricklayer and talented rower, one of ten children born of Irish emigrants, commenced his own personal crusade on behalf of the Irish in America. Refused entry to compete in the prestigious Diamond Sculls at the Henley Royal regatta in England, for reasons including a rule excluding anyone 'who is or ever has been...a mechanic, artisan or labourer', he went on to defeat the winner of the race in the 1920 Olympic final, in one of the closest races in Olympic history. The future self-made millionaire and politician, and father of Grace Patricia Kelly, would continue his crusade on behalf of Irish-America throughout his business, political and family life.
This speaking event will weave the experiences of F. Scott Fitzgerald, Judge Daniel F. Cohalan and Jack Kelly into the making of an Irish-American Princess.