Requiem for the Republic: Critical Essays

Requiem for the Republic is a collection of socio-political essays on the state of the Irish nation. Unfortunately, the current 'New Ireland' is but a pale shadow of the republic that was established a hundred years ago in 1921 following the War of Independence. The thesis of these critical essays is that Ireland is no longer a true republic. It is the author's contention that it has become a servile secularist state, ruled by a political elite with an inflated sense of self-importance and a lack of empathy for the common people. The essays look at different aspects of the transformation of a Christian nation into a secularist state. The main focus is on the clash of cultures between the toxic ideology of the 'New Ireland' and the high ideals set by the founding fathers of the republic. Of course, the views expressed by Bourke are his personal opinions. They are contestable and will be contested. Many 'liberal' writers choose to ignore the disintegration of Christian Ireland and its traditional values. However, Bourke will not be silent. He states his case with searing honesty knowing that to remain silent would not serve the public interest.