I have enjoyed every minute while compiling the characters in 'Irish Legends', their particular achievements are far ranging and each very different, chosen by me mainly for what they have achieved for Ireland all in different ways. Ireland is a relatively young country partition happening in 1921, in many ways this was the start of the trouble as the 'Irish Free State' strived to unite people. Roger Casement, early in his career ,worked for the British Foreign Office where he completed valuable work in the depressed areas of the world; he was knighted in June 1911 for his work. The work was so severe he had to retire because of his failing health.
I felt that I had to include the Casement story, Casement disliked the British bitterly and felt they treated his fellow Irishmen with contempt. At this time he longed for independence and seized the opportunity to take a leading roll in the Easter Rising in 1916 - against the British - to attempt to force them into declaring independence. Arms were willingly supplied by Germany, who were at war with England at this time. Later Casement was hanged as a traitor.