T. O'Grady, K. Matthews, M. Lonergan
 The Bell Magazine and the Representation of Irish Identity by Kelly Matthews chronicles the colorful history of the magazine and discusses The Bell’s contribution and response to the transformation of Irish society in the mid-20th century, as the experience of war and wartime censorship, the expansion of international relations, and the encroaching tide of technological modernization irrevocably changed the patterns of traditional Irish life.
On Wednesday, November 14th the Consul General, Michael Lonergan, hosted the U.S. launch The Bell Magazine and the Representation of Irish Identity, which was released by Four Courts Press, Dublin, in June, 2012.
The book has been very well received in Ireland, with full-page reviews in the Irish Independent and Sunday Times. Matthews has also made two appearances on Newstalk radio in Dublin and was interviewed for an RTE program that will be broadcast later this fall.
 
The book was edited by Seán O’Faoláin, Frank O'Connor, and, later, Peadar O'Donnell. It appeared monthly from 1940 to 1954, and it consciously promoted a multi-faceted version of Irish identity, one that could embrace both rural and urban realities, Gaelic and European influences, northern and southern traditions, wealthy and poor social classes, and many other seemingly contradictory voices in Irish culture.
Further information about the book, which was released by Four Courts Press (Dublin) in July, can be accessed here: http://www.fourcourtspress.ie/product.php?intProductID=1091. The book is available for purchase via Amazon, Barnes and Noble online, and International Specialized Book Services (www.isbs.com, full listing at http://www.isbs.com/partnumber.asp?cid=&pnid=386045).