Two troubled visions of our National past

Sir Walter Ralegh in Ireland

by Sir John Pope Hennessy, edited with an introduction by Thomas Herron

(UCD Press, €24.00)

The Birth of the Fenian Movement: American Diary Brooklyn 1859

by James Stephens, edited with an introduction by Marta Ramón

(UCD Press, €20.00)

Peter Costello

These titles, so contrasting yet connected in their nature, are new editions to the growing series of ''Classics in Irish History'' published by UCD Press.

Sir John Pope Hennessy, a Catholic colonial governor who defeated the Parnellite candidate in Kilkenny's election in 1890, only to die soon after, is a most interesting character. He belonged to that long neglected group, the Irish Catholic conservatives. These people would undoubtedly have been of far greater influence if Victoria could have brought herself to allow her eldest son to reside in Ireland as Lord Lieutenant. This might have allowed for the development of a very different Catholic Ireland.

This little book was originally published in 1886. It is in many ways merely a brief sketch of its topic, yet because of the status of the author it is of great interest. Sir John was founder of a literary clan that included the Dickens scholar and the art historian, and more to the point the biographer James Pope Hennessey.

Colonies

(James Hennessey was fascinated by Irish affairs himself, writing very sympathetically about Trollope's years here setting up our postal service; and about Sir John in an excellent book Verandah, his fascinating study on British colonial history which focuses on Sir John's experiences in various colonies.)

To this reissue the American scholar Thomas Herron has provided a long introduction pointing out the double perspective of the book, in which Sir John fascinated by the swashbuckling nature of the Elizabethan conquest, also tried to set it in a context for his own readers by seeing Raleigh's activities and attitudes as the beginning of many of the troubles that beset English rule in Ireland in the 19th Century.

All would decry the Invincibles, but he reminds his readers that Ralegh and Queen Elizabeth had connived at the assassination of Irish chiefs. We could do with learning more about Sir John and his fellow Catholic landed gentry in Victorian Ireland. Perhaps the editor will oblige us.

Annotation

The text could I think have done with more annotation. Even the matter of how old the fabulously aged ''Countess of Desmond'' was is left up in the air.

The curious document that records the thoughts and meetings of Fenian founder James Stephens in America while trying to engage influential people there to support the cause is, as I say, a contrast.

The editor, who has written a full account of James Stephens and the Fenian movement already, provides the ''diary'', or rather journal for large parts of it are not daily records at all, provides an introduction and additional material on those involved which will make this of very great interest and use to those wishing to understand the roots of the republican movement. Already in these pages the belligerent suspicions of others that have bedevilled that movement are clearly present. It is a slight work, but one of great interest nevertheless.