IrelandThe Irish Times Book of the Year has become a valuable annual institution, encapsulating a series of snapshots, in words and pictures, of major events and developments from the year gone by, writes Ivana Bacik
This most recent edition covers the 12-month period between October 2006 and September 2007. In his introduction, editor Peter Murtagh describes many of the highlights, such as the General Election campaign; the ongoing saga of "the Taoiseach and his money"; and heightened public concern about the dangers of climate change.
As Murtagh writes, the selection of events covered is inevitably subjective. It is always possible to quibble about the choices made in putting any volume like this together, and there are some notable omissions, to which I will return. However, there are also many real gems. I was delighted to re-read some of my own favourite pieces from the last year, including the excellent October 2006 article by Declan Kiberd in support of gay marriage.
Other particularly memorable articles include Kathy Sheridan's illuminating if disturbing analyses of the homicide trials of Pádraig Nally and Joe O'Reilly. Carl O'Brien's sympathetic interview with the family of Adrian and Ciara Dunne and their two young daughters, all of whom died tragically at their home in Monageer in April, is similarly disturbing and very poignant.
A poignant note is also struck in the tribute paid by Fionnuala O'Connor to Northern politician David Ervine, following his death in January, where she writes that there was a sad irony in the timing of his last exit - long after his "loyalist fringe" had lost its influence in the peace process.
But it would be a mistake to dwell on the losses and sorrows of the past 12 months. Many happy occasions are also recorded. Miriam Lord, for instance, applies her customary wit in documenting the historic day in April when "Big Ian gave Bertie a manly wallop on the shoulder". The symbolic handshake between Taoiseach and First Minister at Farmleigh House is captured by Dara MacDonaill's striking photograph, which shows Big Ian smiling somewhat apprehensively, while Bertie grins broadly and clasps his arm very firmly.
Ireland's international cricket triumphs during the year made for another series of happy occasions, and a lively account of these is presented by Richard Gillis under the unlikely headline "Bray puts Ireland on the World Map" - about Jeremy Bray's great performance in Kingston, Jamaica.
A different kind of achievement is recorded in the charming photograph of Louis le Brocquy, together with his son, Pierre, viewing his retrospective exhibition at the Hugh Lane gallery in February, hosted in honour of the painter's 90th birthday. The picture shows father and son absorbed in admiring one of the paintings. Another photograph of a le Brocquy painting appears earlier in the year, this time marking its sale for a record €820,000 at an art auction in December 2006.
My favourite photograph, however, of the many included in the book, is of wedding planner "Franc" (aka Peter Kelly), throwing a bouquet into the air with a host of brides behind him, all in white, reaching up to catch it. The caption records that the brides were prepared to spend an average of €35,000 each on their wedding day - still, only a fraction of the cost of a le Brocquy!
A RANGE OF DIFFERENT perspectives on the 2007 General Election campaign is provided; from Martyn Turner's satirical cartoons, to Newton Emerson's irreverence. In one piece, "Lack of Oranges leaves Sinn Féin sucking on a Lemon", Emerson recounts how Sinn Féin blamed "a serious shortage of Protestants in the 26 counties" for their poor showing in the election. More election humour is provided in Frank McNally's "Long John Gormley Clings to Mast as Michael McDowell Walks Plank", describing how McDowell entered the "shark-infested waters of the RDS . . . locked in a grim struggle with his old seafaring nemesis". McNally concludes that "In this pirate drama, it was McDowell who didn't have a leg to stand on".
Other elections are also covered, notably the French presidential campaign. Lara Marlowe gives a fascinating account of "the Sarkozy paradox" in her May profile of the successful candidate. Fintan O'Toole dissects what we might equally call "the Ahern paradox"in his June article "Welcome to Planet Bertie", which marvels at how the Taoiseach turned apparent weakness into strength and won a third successive election, despite all the controversy about his finances.
Despite the immense range of issues considered in this book, there are some notable omissions. It seems odd not to have included any mention of the crisis in Darfur, and only very limited reference to the war in Iraq. Given the current intense focus on the health system, it also seems odd not to have covered any healthcare topics.
Of course, part of the fun about compilations like these is the inevitable musing about what could or should have been included. The choice is always subjective. One person's annus horribilis is another person's golden age - and this book, like previous editions, provides an excellent context for each individual's memories of the 12 months past.
Ivana Bacik is an independent Senator for Dublin University, a barrister, and Reid Professor of Criminal Law at Trinity College Dublin. She was elected to the Seanad for the first time in July 2007
The Irish Times Book of the Year 2007 Edited by Peter Murtagh Gill and Macmillan, 276pp. €26.99