Interesting biography about a less well-known figure in Irish history. By a granddaughter and therefore uncritical.

This is an interesting book about an interesting man. Sheila Carden provides an intimate portrayal of Tom Kelly and his political contribution to Irish life. As one of the first Sinn Féin Councillors on Dublin Corporation before Independence he played a major role in campaigning against slum landlords and highlighting the grievances of tenants in tenements. As such the book is useful for both a social and a political history of the times Kelly lived through. Absent for the Treaty vote while a TD he indicated his support but he would later leave Cumann na nGaedheal for Fianna Fáil as did some others who had backed the Treaty but were disillusioned as to how far that Government had advanced it. He remained with Fianna Fáil until his death but the book is lacking in detail about his time in that party and view of different policies, opinion of de Valera and other Ministers, for example. I was disappointed that there was more detail about his contribution to and life in Fianna Fáil which deserved more than the few pages it was given. ( )