ABSTRACT:
The first detailed study of Irish-German relations between the wars. Based on extensive pimary research in Irish, British and German archives. Contrary to popular perception, Irish-German relations occupied a central role in the making of the Irish state. The bilateral Irish-German relationship is placed in the contest of the Irish states' independent foreign policy towards Britain and constitutes a complex triangular diplomatic triangle. Among the issues probed are: Irish establishment of a mission in Germany in the immediate aftermath of the Great War; the Irish response to Nazi persecution of the Catholc Church and Jews; the influence of fascism/Nazism in Irish society; Irish perceptions of Hitler and Nazism; Nazism's perceptions of Ireland and the Irish; the career of the infamous Irish diplomat Charles Bewley; the Anglo-Irish-German trade triangle during the Great Depression; Nazi infiltration and espionage; IRA collaboration with the Nazis; Irish appeasement policies; the origins of Irish neutrality. The author argues that Irish policy was one of satisfying German nationalist grievances.
