Emmet Dalton: Somme Soldier, Irish General, Film Pioneer

Description

This is the first-ever biography of Emmet Dalton, an American-born Dubliner, Home Ruler and later Republican, whose extraordinary military career as a British officer, IRA leader and General in the Free State army brought him from Flanders to Beal na Bláth. A decorated hero of the Battle of the Somme, he returned from the war with the rank of Captain and transferred his military expertise to the now rampant IRA, serving as Director of Training, and greatly impressing Michael Collins with his extraordinary daring and nerve.

Soon befriending Collins and becoming his close confidant, he  accompanied him to the Treaty talks in London in 1921, and in the Civil War that followed Dalton oversaw the bombardment of the Four Courts, personally manning an 18-pounder artillery gun. He then masterminded and led the audacious seaborne landings and successful recapture of Cork City and ‘Munster Republic’ from Anti-Treaty forces, but was ultimately traumatised when Collins died in his arms at Beal na Bláith.

In his expansive biography, Sean Boyne vividly portrays Dalton’s experiences and the vital role he played in the politics and wars that created the independent Irish state. Dalton was the first Senate Clerk and he became a pioneer of the Irish film world, founding Ardmore film studios and establishing the Irish Film industry. An attractive and high-achieving figure in Irish life in war and peace, Dalton’s heroism allowed him to live his many lives to the full, and this compelling biography does justice to a figure who will captivate all those interested in modern Irish history and the birth of the state.

Table of Contents

Chapter One ~ Early Days
Chapter Two ~ The Great War
Chapter Three ~ IRA Activities
Chapter Four ~ Treaty Talks
Chapter Five ~ Liaising with the British
Chapter Six ~ Evacuation of Crown Forces
Chapter Seven ~ Battle of the Four Courts
Chapter Eight ~ Fighting Spreads
Chapter Nine ~ The Landings
Chapter Ten ~ Death at Bealnablath
Chapter Eleven ~ The War Continues
Chapter Twelve ~ Leaving the Army
Chapter Thirteen ~ Senate Clerk
Chapter Fourteen ~ Moving To England
Chapter Fifteen ~ Making Films
Chapter Sixteen ~ Life After Films

About the Author

Sean Boyne began his journalistic career with the Irish Press group of newspapers and retired in 2009 from the Sunday World, where he was Political Correspondent. He has written a number of books.