For many years, Jim Kemmy has been in the forefront of research and scholarship on the events of the Limerick Soviet. Mere words hardly suffice to acknowledge his contribution to the research and writing of this book nor to repay the debt which I owe him.
At all times, he was free with access to his invaluable trove of original materials on the Soviet and to his stockpile of relevant material, both published and unpublished. More importantly, perhaps, he gave freely of his advice and experience at vital stages of the project. Without his invaluable assistance and encouragement, this book could not have been written at all.
In Chapter Three, I have relied heavily for the demographic information on Limerick on James M Dalgleish's pioneering MA thesis for Warwick University, entitled "The Limerick Soviet". That thesis, and another on the Soviet, by Timothy Molan for NIHE, Limerick, were useful cross-references for my own research.
Kevin O'Connor, a Limerickman, and a former colleague of mine in the Newsroom of RTE, carried out an important interview, with Mr Charles St George, of Limerick, a contemporary witness of some of the key events mentioned in the narrative. I am grateful to to them both for the trouble they took.
Joe Clarke undertook extremely important research, on my behalf, in London, while Michael Cannon checked archival material in Paris. At my request, Father Liam O'Sullivan made a thorough search of the Limerick Diocesan archives for relevant material.
In the matter of illustrations, George Spillane provided me with a number of photographs and I gratefully acknowledge the permission of Ian Dodson Junior to use his excellent map of the Special Military Area, first used in the Limerick Labour History Group's schools pack "Revolt of the Bottom Dogs 1916-21".
Thanks are due to the administrators and staff of several libraries and archives for their efficient and courteous assistance over several years of research: The National Library of Ireland, the State Paper Office, Dublin, the Public Record Office, London and the British Library, Colindale.
In RTÉ, the Librarian, Máire Ní Mhurchú and the Library staff were cheerful and indefatigable in dealing with a variety of queries and requests for books. Tom Holton, of the Stills Department, was also of assistance.
Finally, a sincere word of thanks to my wife, Patricia, for her tolerance and patience during the lengthy period of preparation of the book.
Liam Cahill
