A Place Apart

1978 book by Dervla Murphy

A Place Apart: Northern Ireland in the 1970s is a book by Irish author Dervla Murphy, first published by John Murray in 1978.[1] The book won the Christopher Ewart-Biggs Memorial Prize in 1979.[2]

A Place Apart
AuthorDervla Murphy
CountryIreland
LanguageEnglish
SubjectNorthern Ireland, The Troubles
PublisherJohn Murray
Publication date
1978
Pages290 (first edition)
AwardsChristopher Ewart-Biggs Memorial Prize
ISBN0719536499
941.6082/4/0924
Preceded by'On a Shoestring to Coorg 
Followed by'Wheels within Wheels 

Background

change

Murphy, an acclaimed travel writer, traveled by bicycle to Northern Ireland during the height of The Troubles in the 1970s. In this work, she seeks to understand the political and social situation by interacting with people on both sides of the sectarian divide: Catholics and Protestants.[3]

Summary

change

In A Place Apart, Murphy investigates the political landscape of Northern Ireland, combining travel commentary with geopolitical analysis. Despite family connections to the IRA, she approached the topic without sectarian bias. Murphy identifies as an "agnostic humanist" and reflects on her respect for various religions.[3]

The book includes her critical thoughts on the Articles 2 and 3 of the Constitution of Ireland, which at the time asserted Irish territorial claims over Northern Ireland.[1]

Reception

change

A Place Apart received critical acclaim for its balanced analysis of the conflict in Northern Ireland. Murphy’s nuanced perspective, despite her personal ties to the IRA, made the book a valuable commentary on The Troubles. The book won the Christopher Ewart-Biggs Memorial Prize in 1979 for promoting peace and understanding between Britain and Ireland.[2]

References

change
  1. 1.0 1.1 Murphy, Dervla (1978). A Place Apart. John Murray. ISBN 0719536499.
  2. 2.0 2.1 "A Political Love Affair: The History of Anglo-Irish Relations". 2017-07-13. Retrieved 2024-10-03.[permanent dead link]
  3. 3.0 3.1 Murphy, Dervla (1978). A Place Apart. John Murray. p. 15. ISBN 0719536499.

Other websites

change