Appeal for help to write a book

Dr Adrian Grant, from Gransha Road, Buncrana, is a Research Associate in Conflict Cities at the University of Ulster at Belfast’s York Street Campus.

He is currently gathering information for his new book, titled ‘The Irish Revolution, Derry-Londonderry 1912-1923’ which is being published in due course through Four Courts Press, Dublin.

“The publishers came to me a couple of years ago,” said Adrian, explaining how the collaboration came about.

“They are doing a series of these books for every county and I had written a book for them previously in 2012, titled ‘Irish Socialist Republicanism’, which was based on my thesis from my doctorate, which I finished in Magee in 2010.

“They were looking for someone with knowledge of the north west and they knew that I have the ability to do it, so they gave me a call,” he said.

There is a plethora of theory on the subject matter that Adrian is researching, but he wants to get his hands on as much empirical material as he can to add real colour and depth to the book.

“I am appealing for people to share a bit of time with me in 2016 to help me with my research,” he said.

“Ideally I’d like it if people could get in touch with any observations they have or memories they have of relatives who shared their experiences or stories of life in Derry-Londonderry at that time, 1912 to 1923.

“If anyone has any family memorabilia, including photographs, old diaries or letters or handed down stories that relate to that time or have anything they could share to do with the development of Unionist or Nationalist politics, from the Ulster Volunteers and Irish Volunteers, even stories of people that worked in the docks, in the shirt factories, or anything to do with life in this area at that time, please get in touch with me.

“If you have stores about your grandparents or stuff that has just been passed down in story form would be brilliant.

“I am searching for the kind of stuff you cannot find in newspapers or government archives,” he said.

Adrian is keen that people from all walks of life get in touch.

Contact Adrian by email at [email protected] or at his university email on [email protected].

Alternatively, to speak directly to him telephone him at 00353 860885193 or at the university on 02895 367254