Chronicle of Jails

Darrell Figgis (1882-1925) was a journalist, author and nationalist propagandist. William Murphy is a lecturer in Irish Studies at the Mater Dei Institute of Education, Dublin City University.

'University College Dublin Press has now published over thirty 'Classics of Irish History'. These contemporary accounts by well known personalities of historical events and attitudes have an immediacy that conventional histories do not have. Introductions by modern historians provide additional historical background and, with hindsight, objectivity.' Books Ireland Nov 2007 'Scholars of nineteenth-century Irish and Irish-American politics should reacquaint themselves with these classics, part of a long running and immensely useful series from University College Dublin Press.' Irish Literary Supplement Fall 2008 'there is a lot of day-to-day description of prison life for the Irish prisoners. The book is never dull and often lively, even though Figgis overrates his importance. - This is best described as an exercise in propaganda; it caught the tide, as Irish opinion turned in the aftermath of the rising against the British and towards the insurgents.' Books Ireland November 2010 'Prisons are tools of politics, both to detain opponents and as something to rally against. A Chronicle of Jails was an assortment of essays and memoirs written by Darrell Figgis in 1917. Originating as a piece of propaganda, this work has earned in its place among Irish and British history, and - proves to be a vital addition to any community or college library European history collection.' The Midwest Book Review Feb 2011

• Introduction by William Murphy; Prefatory Note; A Chronicle of Jails.