Eugene Downing (1913–2003) was not your usual Irish brigader: a
communist from his teenage years, an urbanised skilled worker, and
an Irish language enthusiast. Downing had no immediate Republican
record, joining the communist Workers Groups in Dublin just out of
his apprenticeship as an electrician. Despite this backdrop,
Downing spent nine months in the International Brigades Spain
before being invalided home (amputated lower left leg) in December
1938. His memoirs are presented here in English for the first time.
One Foot in a Spanish Grave: Eugene Downing’s Memoir of the
International Brigades in Spain – published in the Irish language
as La Nina Bonita agus An Róisín Dubh: Cuimhní Cinn ar Chogadh
Cathartha na Spáinne – has been long worthy of a translation
into English. The structure of the original Irish text has been
altered slightly, with some appendices omitted. Translated by
Micheál Ó hAodha, edited and introduced by Barry McLoughlin, One
Foot in a Spanish Grave begins with Brendan Byrne, Eugene’s
nephew, sharing his memories of a highly non-conformist uncle.
Downing’s portrayal of life in the International Brigades is
often humourous, greatly generous when judging others, but
ultimately critical of political zealotry. He proves himself to be
a wry observer of his fellow volunteers and of his own youthful
militancy in the virulently anti-communist Dublin of the 1930s.
This text is a translation of Eoghan Ó Duinnín’s (Eugene
Downing’s) book La Nina Bonita agus An Róisín Dubh: Cuimhní
Cinn ar Chogadh Cathartha na Spáinne (An Clóchomhar, Baile Átha
Cliath, 1986). The Irish-language rights for this book lie with
Cló Iar-Chonnacht, Indreabhán, Co. na Gaillimhe.
General
Imprint: |
University College Dublin Press
|
Country of origin: |
Ireland |
Release date: |
May 2023 |
Translators: |
Mícheál Ó hAodha
|
ISBN-13: |
978-1-910820-76-6 |
Categories: |
Books
|
LSN: |
1-910820-76-8 |
Barcode: |
9781910820766 |
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