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The Wolfe Tones

Phenomenon

 

By

Alex Fell

 

Available now.

 

Price: €15.99

 

 

 

For 5+ copies, discounts available,

please contact orders@choicepublishing.ie

 

 

About the Author

 

 

                                                  

 

 

 

 

 

This is her third book.

 

In addition to her second commissioned book the Complete Book of In Hand Showing, she wrote the ground breaking first book ever on The Irish Draught Horse which collated oral history and pedigree information in the nick of time from the old men who kept the breed alive in the teeth of the destructive policies of, in that case, the Department of Agriculture, interviewing, finding lost records and compiling pedigree charts.  It is relevant to this work because Ireland’s only native breed of horse was greatly affected by the Penal Law as was Irish folk music.  It is also an international star as are the Wolfe Tones and both are worthy of immense national pride.

 

Irishness is something she took for granted, only very recently discovering the achievements of Charlotte Despard the suffragette, a distant relative.  She too had cared about Irish injustice only in the early 20^th century when, helped by her friend Maud Gonne, she morally and financially supported strikers and prisoners’ families.  The strange thing is that Charlotte Despard’s brother, as Field Marshal French, was instrumental in recognising and registering the Irish Draught Horse, discovered also after that book was written.  A link to Irish music too in the form of another remote relative Percy French a writer of music hall songs.  Researching this book finally explained why her grandfather chose to call his son Parnell.

 

 

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The Wolfe Tones Phenomenon

 

This book is an attempt to place the Wolfe Tones, arguably Ireland’s most popular and internationally successful folk and ballad band, in its political and social context. To explain why it was felt that these accomplished musicians should be kept away from mass entertainment via the broadcast media and why their immense contribution to the national economy at a time of financial crisis should be ignored.  Also to collate their considerable achievements.

 

This unplanned gallop through Irish history had the unexpected result of discovering the pivotal influence of the Wolfe Tones in bringing about the Peace Agreement in Northern Ireland.

 

 

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Alex Fell is a sociology honors graduate, a former senior forensic psychiatric social worker and human rights lawyer.  With a love of music from her family background as the daughter and great granddaughter of prominent musicians, and personal experience, she has a strong sense of justice.  The Wolfe Tones’ story reeks of injustice. 

"....THIS BOOK IS A MUST-READ" Irish Voice.