Southern Exposure: Munster

Abstract

This chapter concentrates on regional newspapers in Munster and presents an overview of the regional press in the province during the 1914-21 period. A brief history of some of the main newspapers is provided while some of the key figures involved in those titles are also considered. However, the chapter specifically focuses on five titles, the Cork Constitution, Skibbereen Eagle, Southern Star, Clonmel Chronicle, and Kerryman. These represent a broad range of political sympathies – one unionist title, two independent titles, and two titles that were strongly associated with the Sinn Féin party. Individual sections record the origins and history of each title while the key figures involved in of each of these publications are also profiled. Additionally, the editorial commentary of all five papers between 1914 and 1921 is reviewed and analysed. All bar one of these papers were affected by the Anglo-Irish conflict – the Southern Star and Kerryman experienced censorship, suppression, and forcible closure while the Cork Constitution and Skibbereen Eagle were targeted by Irish republicans. The experiences of each of these newspapers are documented in this chapter.