Holy Ireland

About the Book

"Holy Ireland" tells of Dodo's adventures as he tries to bring peace to warring Catholic and Protestant factions in Northern Ireland. He is frustrated by the contrariness of the two sides. He is threatened by an American "spook," shot at in an ambush, and roughed up by a mob. Nevertheless he enjoys the scenic and culinary delights of Ireland, becoming devoted to Guinness stout. He makes some progress, although as the story ends it is not clear whether a lasting solution will be found to "the Ulster Problem."

About the Author

James W. Spain, born in Chicago in 1926 not far from the Englewood Rail Yards, grew up during the Great Depression, and was educated at the University of Chicago and Columbia University. He spent most of his life as a career diplomat, serving as U.S. Ambassador in Tanzania, the United Nations, Turkey, and Sri Lanka. He is the author of three books on the Pathans of Pakistan; American Diplomacy in Turkey; a diplomatic memoir, In Those Days ; a book of short stories, Innocents of the Latter Day; and several “Dodo Dillon” tales about the adventures of a retired American diplomat in exotic corners of the world.