SHANE O'NEILL: 'The Grand Disturber' of Elizabethan Ireland

Reading like a true-life Game of Thrones this well-crafted and extensive story re-examines the twists and turns of the life of Shane O'Neill, a powerful Gaelic chieftain who confronted both Queen Elizabeth I and the Catholic Church head-on, with sword and pen, achieving great power through intelligence and force.He perceived the threat faced by his country where many did not, and was rewritten into official histories as little more than a self-aggrandising barbarian, and the meta-story here is that history belongs to the victor, and that received wisdom can be corrupt.Brian Mallon has taken contemporary documents to re-examine these accepted views and convincingly argues that Shane O'Neill repeatedly outsmarted authorities for proto-nationalist reasons as much as personal ambition and was a massively popular leader.The characters are vividly written and three dimensional, illustrating their Iives and drives a la Hilary Mantel, bringing dry historical fact to full-blooded life.As with all novel-histories I would love to have an appendix to clarify what is fact and what is dramatic licence.I thoroughly recommend this cinematic historical tour-de-force to anyone interested in Irish or British history.

Hi Brian Mallonsince I started reading your book Shane O'Neill the grand disturber of Elizabethan Ireland I couldn't leave it down, I'm now on chapter 31 Katherine and Shane are on Inishdowel with the children, Sorley, O'Hagan and my old favorite Farleigh. I really don't want to read any more as I know what is coming and it would break your heart. I won't say to much about the book as to spoil it for others but I will tell people if they want to know the real Shane O'Neill and the struggle he had to try and hold on to his country then read this book. Brian I can't thank you enough for this brilliant piece of work, you have done Shane O'Neill proud and I learnt a lot about our history. I will finished it tonight

In the name of God, why is this book so long? It's 20,000 loc on kindle, which makes it about 4 times longer than a typical novel and larger than hefty fantasy. Yet despite this massive length, almost nothing happens. An eternity is spent in London, where Shane O'Neill is literally waiting around for something to happen or permission to go home (just like the reader). The odd skirmish or chasing of the bishop isn't enough to hold attention.One thing I did like was how the book captured the dialouge of the Irish language in terms of style and idioms, but that is pretty much the only thing I liked.I slogged on waiting for it to get better and something good to actually happen, but eventually I gave up.

What a truly rip-roaring, (at times) rib-tickling, rambunctious rollercoaster of a piece of narrative wizardry woven by Brian Mallon around the extraordinary life, times, many triumphs, and tribulations of the erstwhile Tyrone chief, the one and only undauntable and oft-times invincible Shane O'Neill.A cracking, thoroughly fascinating, and absorbing read.

Brian Mallon has penned a tale of intrigue, heroism and human integrity set against the conflicts set in motion almost half a millennium ago when England began its subjugation of Ireland. Mallon weaves historical facts seamlessly with timeless themes of honour, jealousy, pride, politics and romantic love tinged with unbearable loss. An absolutely essential read not only for students of Irish and English history but for those who enjoy the sweeping pageantry of sagas such as "The Tudors" and "Borgia" which "Shane" could easily rival if adapted to the screen.