Meda Ryan – författare

Biddy Early: The Wise Woman of Clare is an intriguing book that transports readers to a quaint two-roomed thatched cottage nestled between the Clare hills, overlooking Kilbarron Lake in Ireland. This was the home of the notorious red-headed Biddy Early, a figure shrouded in mystery and debate. Arguments persist about whether Biddy was a witch or a divinely gifted individual. Throughout this book, the reader is immersed in the rich tapestry of Irish folklore and history, as the mention of Biddy Early's name in any part of Ireland, particularly in County Clare, evokes a flood of astonishing stories, cures, prophecies, warnings, and broken spells. The narrative explores her life, being four times widowed, and the legendary 'magic bottle' she possessed. This bottle, always kept within reach and hidden under a shawl when she travelled, was her tool for clairvoyance, much like a crystal ball, offering her insights and answers. The book masterfully blends fact, legend, and mystery, offering a comprehensive portrayal of Biddy Early, a figure who continues to fascinate and mystify. It's an essential read for those interested in Irish folklore, women's history, and the enduring power of myth and legend in shaping our understanding of the past.

Tom Barry: IRA Freedom Fighter chronicles the action-packed life of the Commander of the ThirdWest Cork Flying Column, including the decisive Kilmichael ambush and thecontroversy regarding sectarianism during the 1920–22 period.Author, Meda Ryan,  details his involvement on the fringesof the Treaty negotiations; his Republican activities during the Civil War; hisengagement in the cease-fire/dump-arms deal of 1923; his term as the IRA’sChief of Staff and his participation in IRA conflicts in the 1930s, 1940s,1950s and right up to his death in 1980. Includes an extensive body of primary sourcematerial, including Tom Barry’s papers,

Liam Lynch joined the Irish Volunteers after the Easter Rising of 1916 and quickly rose through its ranks. He reorganised the Cork Brigade in 1919 and in 1921 became the commanding officer of the First Southern Division which controlled all the Volunteer Brigades in the south of the country. A prominent opponent of the Treaty of 1921, he became chief of staff of the anti-Treaty IRA, leading the fight against the pro-Treaty forces until his death in 1923. With the aid of Liam Lynch’s personal letters, private documents and historical records, 'Liam Lynch: The Real Chief' traces the turbulent career of one of Ireland’s greatest guerrilla commanders from his birth in 1893 until his death twenty-nine years later in the Civil War when he was killed in action on the Knockmealdown mountains. This book demonstrates Liam Lynch’s importance in Irish history, including his efforts with Michael Collins, Richard Mulcahy and others to avoid a civil war, and his unwavering efforts to achieve a thirty-two county republic, rather than a partitioned state. Part of the 'Irish Revolutionaries' series being published in the run-up to the centenary of the 1916 Rising.