West of the Shannon: Connacht

Abstract

This chapter concentrates on regional newspapers in Connacht 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 four titles, the Tuam Herald, Roscommon Herald, Mayo News, and Leitrim Observer. The first two papers broadly represented a more constitutional form of Irish nationalism while the latter two came to be regarded as Sinn Féin or republican organs. 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 four papers between 1914 and 1921 is reviewed and analysed. Some of these titles were subjected to censorship, suppression, and forcible closure while in certain cases the proprietors were arrested or imprisoned. The experiences of each of these newspapers are documented in this chapter.