Poet Theo Dorgan launching Gombeens at the Gate.

Last night, my co-author and friend Jim Kennelly and I launched our latest book Gombeens at the Gate: Renewing the Rising through Ideals, Character and Place.

Gombeens at the Gate delves into the Rising and the Irish Revival that preceded and inspired it. Ireland today, although quick to pay lip service to 1916, is sadly lacking in idealism and character. We are stumbling along with no overarching vision or purpose. We have an eroding national identity, lack of will to save our unique language, and as so many scandals and tribunals suggest, questionable reserves of moral courage.

Why did this happen? How can it be changed? Gombeens at the Gate attempts to answer these questions.

For all of their faults, the visionaries who were captivated by the heady spirit of the Revival and the equally determined revolutionaries who went out to fight for freedom in 1916, all shared a vision of Ireland as not only a sovereign state, but as the home of a good and successful society. A society where people of all traditions and persuasions could flourish.

The true legacy of the Rising must be characterised by authenticity, tradition, integrity and a distinctive sense of place.

Now is the time to rejuvenate a true enterprise spirit; to generate the innovative and equitable society that was fought for, but never achieved, a century ago.

It will be another week or two before Gombeens at the Gate makes it into your local bookstore. However, the book is already available for online purchase on my website: www.finbarrbradley.ie.

I encourage you to read our book, explore with us these ideas and ultimately make up your own mind. I’m keen to hear what you think.