The Radical Thinking of Desmond Fennell

How can we create a more vibrant public discourse in Ireland? How do we organise Irish society so that it prospers culturally and economically? Why is a national identity important? How can we ensure the future of the Gaeltacht? And where is the Western world heading?

These are just some of the questions that Desmond Fennell (1929-2021) applied himself to in a lifetime of thinking and writing. Fennel was one of Ireland’s great independent thinkers. A writer, essayist and public intellectual, he brought a fresh perspective to debates on Irish identify, language, media, politics and the wider world.

In this curated collection, editors Toner Quinn and Jerry White bring together some of his most important writings – from his classic essay on the Irish language, ‘Revival or Not?’, to his analysis of the media in Ireland, ‘Getting to Know Dublin 4’, and from his probing exploration of Irish cultural and intellectual life, ‘Intellect and National Welfare’, to his prescient analysis of the Western world, ‘The Postwestern Condition’.

How can we create a more vibrant public discourse in Ireland? How do we organise Irish society so that it prospers culturally and economically? Why is a national identity important? How can we ensure the future of the Gaeltacht? And where is the Western world heading?

The Radical Thinking of Desmond Fennell is a vital collection for anyone seeking a fresh perspective on Ireland and the world today.