Edited by Mark O'Brien and Kevin Rafter, this study of the Irish Independent will be published by Four Courts Press in winter 2012. My chapter details the history of the paper during the period 1916-1923; a time when the Irish Independent established its dominance in the Irish market

Independent Newspapers: A History - edited by Mark O'Brien & Kevin Rafter

For over a century, Independent Newspapers has been the most successful media organization in Ireland. From William Martin Murphy to Tony O’Reilly, the newspaper group has long been at the centre of public life, often in controversial circumstances. In this revealing volume, fourteen leading scholars examine the interaction between proprietors and the newspapers, the company’s journalists and journalism, and the relationship between the newspapers and Irish society.

Contents: Patrick Maume (DIB), The origins of Independent Newspapers; Padraig Yeates, William Martin Murphy; Felix Larkin (ind.), Tim Harrington, editor 1905–31; Ian Kennelly (NUIG), The Irish Independent and the Irish revolution; Colum Kenny (DCU), Tom Grehan: an advertising pioneer; Aoife Whelan (UCC), ‘Irish Ireland’ and theIrish Independent; Mark O’Brien (DCU), Frank Geary, editor 1935–61; Donal O Drisceoil (UCC), Independent Newspapers and the emergency; Gary Murphy (DCU), Independent newspapers and post-war society; Kevin Rafter (DCU), Hector Legge and the Sunday Independent; John Horgan (DCU), The changing of the guard: 1961–73; Joe Breen, Vinne Doyle, editor 1981–2005; Ida Milne (TCD), Independent Newspapers as employer; Mark O’Brien, Independent Newspapers and the newspaper market; Gavin Ellis (U of Auckland), Independent Newspapers as a global organization; Kevin Rafter, Proprietors and Independent Newspapers.