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Leopold Kerney was one of the most influential diplomats of twentieth-century Irish history. This book presents the first comprehensive biography of Kerney's career in its entirety from his recruitment to the diplomatic service to his time in France, Spain, Argentina, and Chile. Barry Whelan’s work provides fascinating new perceptions of Irish diplomatic history at seminal periods of the twentieth century, including the War of Independence, the Irish Civil War, the Anglo-Irish Economic War, the Spanish Civil War, and World War II, from an eyewitness to those events. Drawing on over a decade of archival research in repositories in France, Germany, Britain, Spain, and Ireland, as well as through unique and unrestricted access to Kerney's private papers, Whelan successfully challenges previously published analyses of Kerney's work and debunks many of the perceived controversies surrounding his career.
Ireland's Revolutionary Diplomat brings to life Kerney's connections with leading Irish figures from the revolutionary generation including Michael Collins, Ernest Blythe, George Gavan Duffy, Desmond FitzGerald, Arthur Griffith, and Seán T. O’Kelly, as well as his diplomatic colleagues in the service. More importantly, the book illuminates the decades-long friendship Kerney enjoyed with Éamon de Valera—the most important Irish political figure of the twentieth century—and shows how the "Chief" trusted and rewarded his friend throughout their long association. The book offers a fresh understanding of the Department of External Affairs and critically assesses the roles of Joseph Walshe, secretary of the department, as well as Colonel Dan Bryan, director of G2 (Irish Army Military Intelligence), who both conspired to destroy Kerney's reputation and career during and after World War II. Whelan sheds new light on other events in Kerney's career, such as his confidential reports from fascist Spain that exposed General Francisco Franco's crimes against his people. Whelan challenges other events previously seen by some historians as controversial, including Kerney’s major role in the Frank Ryan case, his contact with senior Nazi figures, especially Dr. Edmund Veesenmayer and German military intelligence, and his libel case against an acclaimed Irish historian Professor Desmond Williams. This book offers new observations on how Nazi Germany tried to utilize Kerney, unsuccessfully, as a liaison between the Irish government and Hitler’s regime. Captured German documents reveal the extent of this secret plan to alter Irish neutrality during World War II, which concerned both Adolf Hitler and the leading Nazis of his regime.
“This monograph is a strong piece of research and an original contribution to the growing number of Irish diplomat biographies. Based on an examination of new primary source material, Whelan’s book is as impressive as it is original.” —Irish Migration Studies in Latin America
"[In] Whelan's biography of Kerney, his meticulous research successfully upends what has hitherto prevailed as academia's received wisdom." —History of Ireland
"[Barry Whelan] gives a valuable insight into the early years of the Irish diplomatic service by going behind the official records. He has also helped restore the reputation of one of its pioneers." —The Irish Catholic
"This biography of Leopold Kerney focuses on his time in Spain during the Spanish Civil War and the first decade of the Francoist regime. The work draws on the previously unavailable private papers of Kerney. To me, the central point illuminated by this book is the difficulties in moving from a clientalist system to a professionalized civil service. Barry Whelan has done an admirable job highlighting this issue." —Jason Knirck, Central Washington University
"Ireland’s Revolutionary Diplomat provides a much-needed study of Leopold Kerney, an important but often overlooked figure in Ireland’s turbulent twentieth-century political history. Barry Whelan presents a balanced, meticulous, and thorough work that is a delight to read. You will not be disappointed." —Timothy J. Demy, U.S. Naval War College
"This new study of Leopold Kerney provides a fascinating account of a largely overlooked figure in Irish history. As a biography, it fulfills an important role, but it also provides a valuable new perspective on Irish, French, and Spanish political culture in the early twentieth century. Barry Whelan's use of sources is excellent, and he provides an insightful account of the career of an Irish diplomat during a turbulent period in Europe's history. Highly recommended for anyone interested in this period or in politics and history in general." —David Murphy, Maynooth University
Barry Whelan is a lecturer of Irish and European history at Dublin City University.
Introduction
1. From affluent Sandymount to war-torn Paris, 1881-1918
2. The First Irish Consul in Paris, 1919-21
3. The Treaty and the Irish Civil War, 1921-22
4. Consular and Diplomatic Envoy of the Irish Republic, 1922-26
5. The Wilderness Years, 1926-32
6. From France to Spain, 1932-39
7. Franco’s Most Famous Foreign Prisoner and Escapee – Frank Ryan
8. Inside the Viper’s Nest: Kerney and German Military Intelligence during the Second World War
9. Confidential Reports from Fascist Spain, 1939-1942
10. New Beginnings, 1946-48
11. “When Sorrows Come, They Come not Single Spies, but in Battalions!”