Five Books That Capture the Irish Struggle for Freedom

From the plantations of the 16th century to the Easter Rising and beyond, the Irish quest for self-determination has been characterised by resilience, sacrifice, rebellion and an unshakeable sense of nationhood that refused to be extinguished by oppression, state violence, slaughter, propaganda and dirty wars directed against them.

No longer an oppressed nation, Ireland now leads by example in demonstrating solidarity and humanity when confronting modern tyranny.

Here are five of the most enduring and thought-provoking books on Irish history published by Mercier Press, Ireland’s oldest independent publishing house:

On Another Man’s Wound by Ernie O’Malley

On Another Man’s Wound takes its title from an old Ulster proverb—”It’s easy to sleep on another man’s wound.” First published in 1936, it remains the defining account of Ireland’s revolutionary years from 1916 to 1921. Through vivid, lyrical prose, O’Malley captures the texture of Irish life at the time—the beliefs, songs, legends, and landscapes that shaped a generation. His portraits of comrades and leaders bring the era to life with immediacy and depth. The story continues in The Singing Flame, charting O’Malley’s Civil War experiences, and Raids and Rallies, recounting his comrades’ campaigns—both also published by Mercier Press.

Guerilla Days in Ireland by Tom Barry

Guerrilla Days in Ireland, first published in 1949, is a gripping firsthand account of the Irish War of Independence. Barry, commander of the West Cork Flying Column, tells the story of a small band of Volunteers who waged a determined campaign against a vastly larger occupying force. Written with clarity and tension, the book captures the discipline, danger, and improvisation of guerrilla warfare in rural Ireland. At its heart lies Barry’s powerful depiction of courage, endurance, and idealism in the face of overwhelming odds—a defining portrait of Ireland’s fight for self-determination.

My Fight For Irish Freedom by Dan Breen

My Fight for Irish Freedom is one of the defining memoirs of Ireland’s revolutionary period. In 1919, a small group of young men—poorly armed, barely trained, and driven by conviction—renewed the struggle to end British rule in Ireland. Branded outlaws, they lived “on the run,” hunted and outnumbered, sustained only by faith in their cause and the growing support of ordinary people. First published in 1924, Breen’s account captures the courage and intensity of those turbulent years. Read widely beyond Ireland, it influenced a generation of revolutionaries in India and inspired figures such as musician Shane MacGowan.

Towards Ireland Free by Liam Deasy

Towards Ireland Free, first published in 1973, is the compelling memoir of one of the Irish War of Independence’s key commanders. Joining the Volunteers in 1917, Deasy rose to lead the West Cork Brigade, recounting with clarity and restraint the tense, hope-filled years of Ireland’s struggle for self-rule. His narrative captures both the intensity of local resistance and the human spirit behind it, offering vivid portraits of comrades and community. From daring coastal raids to the famous ambushes at Kilmichael and Crossbarry, Towards Ireland Free stands as one of the most authentic and resonant accounts of Ireland’s revolutionary years.

The Ballycotton Job by Tom Tom Mahon

The Ballycotton Job tells the astonishing true story of one of the most daring episodes of Ireland’s Civil War—the capture of the British munitions ship Upnor off the Cork coast. As Ireland stood on the brink of internal conflict, an audacious plan unfolded: a commandeered tugboat, a night-time chase, and the seizure of eighty tons of arms. Drawing on years of archival research and interviews, this vivid narrative reconstructs the drama, ingenuity, and high stakes of the operation. Blending history and adventure, and uniquely told from a British and Irish perspective it offers a gripping glimpse into a moment when Ireland’s fate hung in the balance.