BOOK: The Irish Soldier book
Summary
Professor Thomas Bartlett discusses his edited volume, *The Irish Soldier*, which traces the evolution of Irish military service from the Viking era to modern peacekeeping. The conversation challenges the "martial race" stereotype, arguing that Irish enlistment was largely driven by economic necessity and migration rather than inherent warlikeness. Bartlett highlights the often-overlooked roles of women in military support and the Irish contribution to the British Empire, while also examining how the militarization of 19th-century Ireland shaped local economies and society.
Topics discussed
Introduction and defining the Irish soldier
Debunking the 'martial race' myth and Churchill
Economic drivers of enlistment in underdeveloped Ireland
High mortality rates and the role of disease
Women as essential support staff in armies
Irish soldiers in the American War of Independence
The Irish role in the British and other empires
Militarized society and the impact of barracks
Recruitment challenges and the rise of railways
Women in uniform and the denial of pensions
Modern evolution: Peacekeeping and Women of Honour
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