Southern Exposure: Munster

This chapter concentrates on regional newspapers in Munster and presents an overview of the regional press in the province during the 1914-21 period. A brief history of some of the main newspapers is provided while some of the key figures involved in those titles are also considered. However, the chapter specifically focuses on five titles, the Cork Constitution, Skibbereen Eagle, Southern Star, Clonmel Chronicle, and Kerryman. These represent a broad range of political sympathies – one unionist title, two independent titles, and two titles that were strongly associated with the Sinn Féin party. Individual sections record the origins and history of each title while the key figures involved in of each of these publications are also profiled. Additionally, the editorial commentary of all five papers between 1914 and 1921 is reviewed and analysed. All bar one of these papers were affected by the Anglo-Irish conflict – the Southern Star and Kerryman experienced censorship, suppression, and forcible closure while the Cork Constitution and Skibbereen Eagle were targeted by Irish republicans. The experiences of each of these newspapers are documented in this chapter.

Introduction

This chapter provides a brief historiography of Irish newspapers and details some of the most significant texts documenting this particular strand of the print media. It also highlights the rather limited amount of published material specifically covering any aspect of Ireland’s regional press. The relative lack of attention to this section of the print media is not sufficient reason alone to justify a study such as this and accordingly this chapter explains the necessity for filling such a historical gap. It also details the scope of the research and details the relevant research questions that are posed. Additionally, the primary sources that are utilised in addressing such research questions are briefly considered. Finally, the structure of the book is outlined and the reasoning for addressing it on a province-by-province basis is provided.

West of the Shannon: Connacht

This chapter concentrates on regional newspapers in Connacht and presents an overview of the regional press in the province during the 1914-21 period. A brief history of some of the main newspapers is provided while some of the key figures involved in those titles are also considered. However, the chapter specifically focuses on four titles, the Tuam Herald, Roscommon Herald, Mayo News, and Leitrim Observer. The first two papers broadly represented a more constitutional form of Irish nationalism while the latter two came to be regarded as Sinn Féin or republican organs. Individual sections record the origins and history of each title while the key figures involved in of each of these publications are also profiled. Additionally, the editorial commentary of all four papers between 1914 and 1921 is reviewed and analysed. Some of these titles were subjected to censorship, suppression, and forcible closure while in certain cases the proprietors were arrested or imprisoned. The experiences of each of these newspapers are documented in this chapter.

The Pale and Beyond: Leinster

This chapter concentrates on regional newspapers in Leinster (excluding Dublin) and presents an overview of the regional press in the province during the 1914-21 period. A brief history of some of the main newspapers is provided while some of the key figures involved in those titles are also considered. However, the chapter specifically focuses on four titles, the Meath Chronicle, Enniscorthy Echo, Kilkenny People, and Midland Tribune, papers that came to be regarded as Sinn Féin or republican organs. Individual sections document the origins and history of each title while the key figures involved in of each of these publications are also profiled. Additionally, the editorial commentary of all four papers between 1914 and 1921 is reviewed and analysed. All of these titles were subjected to varying degrees of censorship and suppression while in some cases editors or proprietors were arrested and imprisoned. The experiences of each of these newspapers are documented in this chapter.

Provincial Newspapers: Politics and Censorship

This chapter details the emergence of a predominantly nationalist regional press in Ireland during the late 1800s and early 1900s. It also discusses the attendant developments in the journalistic profession plus educational advances that led to significant rises in levels of literacy. The broader political affiliations of regional newspapers are also outlined in detail and the direct involvement of both political parties and individual politicians in the newspaper business is also scrutinised. Furthermore, the overall relationship between the press and the state is analysed. In this context this chapter explores the increasing deployment of newspapers as a propaganda weapon, particularly during wartime. Additionally, the issue of censorship is examined and the restrictions under which Irish newspapers were compelled to operate during the 1914-21 period are fully investigated.

Conclusion

This chapter returns to the research questions posed in the introduction and reflects on some of the most notable features of the regional press that are detailed in the book. This includes the devout religious faith that was evident amongst so many editors and proprietors and the involvement of so many journalists in organisations such as the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) and the Gaelic League. It also includes the remarkably lengthy editorial tenures that was so common within the regional press and the high degree of prolonged family ownership of newspapers. Also reviewed is the frequently fractious relations between the British authorities and Irish newspapers. Finally, this chapter recognises the predominantly conservative nature of Irish regional newspapers and concludes by emphasising the importance of the historical gap that this book fills.

Northern Drumbeats: Ulster

This chapter concentrates on regional newspapers in Ulster and presents an overview of the regional press in the province during the 1914-21 period. A brief history of some of the main newspapers is provided while some of the key figures involved in those titles are also considered. However, the chapter specifically focuses on four titles, the Impartial Reporter, Londonderry Sentinel, Anglo-Celt, and Donegal Democrat. These papers represented a range of political sympathies across the province. The first two were staunchly unionist organs while the latter two were nationalist organs – the Anglo-Celt supportive of constitutional nationalism whereas the Donegal Democrat adopted a more republican stance. The experiences of each of these newspapers are documented in this chapter.