1949

A Novel of the Irish Free State (Irish Century Series, Book 3)

By: Morgan Llywelyn

Narrated by: Mil Nicholson

Morgan Llywelyn's masterly epic, the Irish Century, continues in 1949, a sequel to 1916 and 1921.

The struggle of the Irish people for independence is one of the compelling historical dramas of the 20th century. 1949 tells the story of Ursula Halloran, a fiercely independent young woman who comes of age in the 1920s. The tragedy of Irish civil war gives way in the 1920s to a repressive Catholic state led by Eamon De Valera. Married women cannot hold jobs, divorce is illegal, and the IRA has become a band of outlaws still devoted to and fighting for a Republic that never lived. The Great Depression stalks the world, and war is always on the horizon, whether in Northern Ireland, Spain, or elsewhere on the European continent.

Ursula works for the fledgling Irish radio service and then for the League of Nations, while her personal life is torn between two men: an Irish civil servant and an English pilot.

Defying church and state, Ursula bears a child out of wedlock, though she must leave the country to do so, and nearly loses her life in the opening days of World War II. Eventually she returns to an Ireland that is steadfastly determined to remain neutral during the war.

©2003 Morgan Llywelyn (P)2021 Tantor

Excellent series

I could listen to these over and over. Such a wonderful series! I’m going to read everything by this author

A History of War

I had no awareness of the position of Ireland through WWs 1 and 2. I am forever grateful for Morgan Llewellyn and the incredible research she must have done to produce this series. Now, off to 1972.. and Gerry Adams.

Absolutely Wonderful!

What a fabulous telling of an instrumental time in Ireland's remarkable history. Will begin 1972 now!

Fascinating historical novel

Growing up as a young child during this period in Ireland I was conscious of many of the events of the time. This series, has provided an enlightening framework and perspective within which these historical events occurred. All of this is presented in a very engaging story of the personal lives of the main characters.
If there is one criticism it would be the painful mispronunciation of Irish event, organization and place names, (ie the pronunciation of Eire A “ear”) which detracted from an otherwise outstanding narration.
Sean James

Fascinating History

The story weaves a historical view of Ireland’s struggle to be free through the eyes of people that draw you in and make you weep for the travesties one human puts on another.