New book details the life of London-Irish nationalist leader Art O’Brien

A new book, Art O'Brien and Irish Nationalism in London, 1900-25, by DCU academic Dr. Mary MacDiarmada explores Irish nationalism in London during the first quarter of the twentieth century through the prism of the life of Art O’Brien, detailing how he went from wealthy electrical engineer to leader of Irish militant nationalism in London.

Art O’Brien was a member of the Gaelic League, Sinn Féin, the Irish Volunteers, the Irish Republican Brotherhood and the Irish Self-Determination League of Great Britain. He also established a prisoner relief organization and had significant involvement in gun-running for the 1916 Rising and the War of Independence. Appointed London envoy of Dáil Éireann in 1919, he was a close confidant of Michael Collins, Arthur Griffith and Éamon de Valera and was a mediator in various peace initiatives between the British and Sinn Féin during 1920 and 1921. 

O’Brien has long been a neglected figure in the historiography of the Irish revolution and little is known of his activities despite his extensive contribution.Based on rigorous research of British and Irish archives, Irish language material and privately held papers, MacDiarmada’s book argues that O’Brien made a vital contribution to the prosecution of the Irish revolution by coordinating prisoner relief, financing gun-running and instigating a major propaganda campaign in favour of Irish independence.

This is the first comprehensive study of a London-based activist of the Irish revolution and it recounts the hitherto little-known story of Irish cultural, political and militant nationalism in London between 1900 and 1925.

Dr. MacDiarmada said

“Art O’Brien was a leader par-excellence of Irish nationalism in London at a crucial time in the struggle for Irish independence and gave of himself wholeheartedly to that cause”.

About Dr Mary MacDiarmada 

Mary MacDiarmada completed a PhD at DCU in 2018 under the supervision of Dr. Daithí Ó Corráin of the School of History and Geography. She also holds an M. Social Science degree from UCD. She has published in The Irish Economic and Social History journal and in  Irish Studies in International Affairs.She is currently a Research Fellow at the School of History and Geography,DCU.

The book is available from Four Courts Press.