OnTheTown: Knights, lords, Irish chiefs, earls and barons gathered at the Heraldic Museum, Kildare Street, Dublin on Tuesday evening for the launch Anne Chambers's new book, At Arm's Length: The Aristocracy in Ireland.
"I wanted to know why Ireland's aristocracy had received such a negative treatment in the past and if it was justified," Chambers explained. The book was launched by Dr T.K. Whitaker, who said it would prove to be interesting and enjoyable for the general reader and students alike.
The Co Mayo-born author is currently working on two film scripts. One is based on the life of Grace O'Malley and the other, focusing on the true story of an Indian maharajah who lived in Connemara in the 1920s, is being developed by Four Provinces Films. Producer Redmond Morris, the 4th Baron Killanin, attended the event.
Many of the 14 present-day chiefs and peers who were interviewed by Chambers for the book were also present at the event, as were family and friends of the author.
Conor O'Brien, Lord Inchiquin, said the subject matter would be "slightly controversial", but he welcomed its publication so soon after the Government's decision last year to withdraw recognition of the descendants of Ireland's clan chiefs.
Brendan Parsons, the 7th Earl of Rosse, who attended with his wife, Alison, Countess of Rosse, said the book was "timely".
Noting that many people come to Ireland to find their ancestors, Count Randall MacDonnell said the subject was vital to Irish tourism and the book "had to be written".
Also present were Daniel O'Donovan, The O'Donovan, Lord of Clan Cathal, and his wife, Madam O'Donovan; Thomas Sweeney, the Mac Sweeney Doe; Desmond FitzGerald, 29th Knight of Glin; Jeremy Browne, 11th Marquess of Sligo, and his wife, Lady Sligo; and the Honourable Garech Browne, founder of Claddagh Records.