Cormac O’Malley was born in Ireland but came to live in the U.S. with his American artist mother, Helen Hooker, when his father, Ernie O’Malley, died in 1957. His career in international corporate law aside, Cormac has focused on the literary and artistic heritage of both his parents, including the publications of books not published during their lifetimes.
Cormac has also done a wonderful series of podcasts reading from, and talking about his father’s memoirs, On Another Man’s Wound, which covers Ernie’s participation in the Irish War of Independence, and The Singing Flame, which is set in the Civil War. At just 23, Ernie, who was born in Castlebar, Co. Mayo, was the IRA commandant general leading seven thousand volunteers during Ireland’s battle for freedom from Britain. The signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty (1921) created the Irish Free State, but divided the nation, and Ernie went on to serve as IRA senior commander of the anti-Treaty forces in the Irish Civil War.
Patricia Harty, editor of Irish America, speaks to Cormac about his recent book, written with Harry F. Martin, called Ernie O’Malley: A Life, and their conversation covers everything from Ernie’s passion and dedication to an Irish Republic, to his eventual progression into the world of writing and poetry.
Ernie O’Malley is a true hero. This informative interview reminds us how grateful we are to family members who keep these important stories alive for generations. I can’t wait to read this new book to learn even more.