Ireland 1963

In his latest book, Kearns revisits the extraordinary year of 1963, bringing to life the voices of the ordinary people who lived through it in a way no conventional history could match. It was a year like no other. Not for any one event, but for an astonishing sequence of occurrences - triumphs and tragedies, joys and sorrows - that spanned all twelve months: a biblical-like flash flood, tenement collapses, the liberating Bingo Craze, and a frightening `mystery caller' posing as a priest. And, of course, it was the year of President Kennedy's rapturous four-day visit to Ireland. The year reached its climax with fear for thirty Irish passengers aboard the liner Lakonia, "ablaze and sinking" at sea during Christmas week. Yet, a series of happy events throughout the year brought great joy to many. Kearns humanizes these events by relying on oral history from those who were there; their words and emotions carry a riveting authenticity and immediacy.