The Spy in the Castle

The Spy in the Castle explores an important dimension of the Irish War of Independence and it is a significant historical document. Irish history for many years after independence shied away from the bloody reality of guerilla warfare, prefering to focus on the almost-glamorous exploits of the men of the Flying Columns or those who took part in the set-piece battles with Black and Tans or Auxiliaries. David Neligan's account tells of back-street shootings, ambushes and assassinations. When he wrote it in the late 1960s few could have anticipated that the same sordid script would shortly be played out again in Northern Ireland. The Spy in the Castle refers to events more than 70 years ago. But in a way, it is also a contemporary tale of Ireland.