Canon Sheehan's writings provide valuable insight into Ireland's difficult process of cultural reconstruction after independence. This astute observer of Irish society was pessimistic about the future of religion. Though himself a man of European culture, he made a case for isolationism to become reality under the Free State. It is a case which today is easily scorned - but his work allows us to understand why it could command such support, and to appreciate its relative historical justification.

RUTH FLEISCHMANN