DUBLIN — A long-forgotten literary manuscript from Ireland’s revolutionary era has emerged from obscurity, offering a vivid glimpse into a nation divided by war and the human stories that shaped its struggle for independence. The Tragic Isle by N.P. Kennedy, a novel set during the Irish War of Independence and its turbulent aftermath, has been published for the first time after lying undiscovered for decades.
Described as “a story of love and conflict, loyalty and compromise set during the rebel resistance at the height of Ireland’s War of Independence (1919–1922), the post-treaty civil war and the final declaration of peace,” The Tragic Isle traces the moral and emotional journey of Bernard Thompson, a British Army veteran turned reluctant participant in Ireland’s rebellion. Operating as an auxiliary to the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC), Thompson is “appalled by the unruly behaviour of his fellow recruits.” When his patrol is ambushed and he is left for dead, he is rescued by the very rebels he was sent to suppress — an act that changes his life and his loyalties. “As he recuperates, he acquires such sympathy and understanding for the Irish cause that he goes over to the other side.”
A Rediscovered Story From Ireland’s Past
What makes The Tragic Isle remarkable, literary observers note, is not only its narrative but its provenance. “It is a remarkable story that reads like a fireside tale, told with style, flair, vividness, candour, colour and panache,” the publisher noted. “Adding to the authenticity of the narrative is the fact that it is conveyed by one who himself was a product of the period, writing at a time when the events being recalled were within living memory. The really remarkable aspect however, is how the story has come to light, having laid hidden for decades.”
The novel’s discovery provides a rare cultural artefact from a generation that lived through Ireland’s most formative years. The manuscript was found among possessions left behind by its author, Nicholas P. Kennedy, after his death in 1978. Its recovery offers both historical and personal significance — a direct literary link to the early 20th-century Irish experience, written by someone who lived through it.
The Life Behind the Story
Born in Ireland in 1908 into a family of eight children, Kennedy grew up “in what could be said to have been the crucible of Ireland’s struggle for independence.” His parents ran a grocery shop on Dublin’s Townsend Street, which “was eventually forced to close due to circumstances arising out of the tumult and turmoil of the period.”
Over his lifetime, Kennedy became deeply engaged in the Irish language, music, and drama, and is “fondly remembered as a highly intelligent and interesting man, serious but with a great sense of humour.” Though he passed away at the age of 69, his work and memory endure through this rediscovered manuscript.
Kennedy is survived by his son, Mahon, and daughter, Ailis, as well as grandchildren. For the family, publishing The Tragic Isle represents more than a literary event — it is a gesture of legacy and remembrance. “This book is a valuable legacy of his family and descendants, who have chosen to share it and make it available to the general public for the first time,” said the publisher.
A Legacy Shared With New Generations
The release of The Tragic Isle under the imprint of The Manuscript Publisher reflects a growing trend of rediscovering and restoring long-lost works to public attention — particularly those with deep cultural and historical resonance. The book’s publication underscores the enduring fascination with the Irish independence period, seen through the lens of those who witnessed its upheaval first-hand.
For contemporary readers, The Tragic Isle offers a compelling blend of historical insight and human emotion, set against the backdrop of revolution, reconciliation, and nation-building. Its publication arrives at a time when renewed interest in archival storytelling and recovered manuscripts is reshaping how literary history is preserved.
As the publisher notes, “The Tragic Isle by N.P. Kennedy is published under the imprint of The Manuscript Publisher and is available to buy online, in print and e-book editions.”
For both scholars and general readers, the novel stands as a testament to Ireland’s literary and historical legacy — a rediscovered voice from the past, now speaking again to a new generation.
