It takes place in the Harbour Hotel next Monday, September 16 at 8pm. The speaker is Professor Gary Murphy, author of the best-selling biography of the former Fianna Fáil leader, Iron in the Soul: The life of Charles J. Haughey Reassessed.
In this address, Murphy will tackle Haughey's role in the making of modern Ireland. He will explore Haughey's role at heart of Irish political life for over three and a half decades, and examine his still controversial legacy.
Charles Haughey was arguably the most talented and influential politician of his generation. His presence still looms large over Irish politics, yet the roots of his success – charisma, intelligence, ruthlessness, secrecy – complicates any evaluation of his life and work. With exclusive access to Haughey's archive, Murphy is able to offer a major reassessment of the controversial politician, who, for all his flaws and many contradictions, came to define modern Ireland.
Gary Murphy is Professor of Politics at Dublin City University and a member of the Royal Irish Academy. He is currently working on the biography of another former taoiseach, Brian Cowen.
