The years of influence of de Valera are central to this interpretation of post-independence Ireland. De Valera has been made to shoulder personal responsibility for many of the defects in Irish society in that period. The essays in this book seek to re-examine and re-evaluate that charge. Contributors: Owen Dudley Edwards, Se‡n Farragher, Dermot Keogh, Tom Garvin, Ged Martin, Caitriona Clear, Brian P. Kennedy, John McGahern, Brian Walker, Gear—id î Crualaoich, Gear—id î Tuathaigh and Garret FitzGerald.