Home ⋅ Published Books ⋅ 'A Great Beauty 2021: The Michael Collins Story. An epic story of war, love, suspense, betrayal and murder'

'A Great Beauty 2021: The Michael Collins Story. An epic story of war, love, suspense, betrayal and murder'
Share by Email Share on Messenger Share on Whatsapp Share on Whatsapp

By: A. O'Connor
Publisher: Poolbeg Press Ltd
Published: August 2021
Pages: 450
Categories: Biography
Language: English
Available as: Paperback
On sale at:
ISBN-13: 9781781997376
ISBN: 1781997373

It is 1920 and, as the War of Independence rages throughout Ireland, Michael Collins is the most wanted man in the British Empire. He lives a life in hiding, conducting guerrilla warfare, outsmarting the authorities, a figure of mystery and intrigue. Very few know even what he looks like. He occasionally finds rest and comfort with the family of Kitty Kiernan, his best friend’s sweetheart. Then Michael finds himself falling in love with the complex and enigmatic Kitty. Lady Hazel Lavery, wife of famous artist Sir John Lavery, is considered the most beautiful and charming society hostess in London. An American of Irish descent, haunted by a tragic past, she sets out to use her friendships with men like Winston Churchill to bring peace to Ireland. When Michael, recently engaged to Kitty, arrives in London as part of the Irish peace delegation, he finds himself the centre of intense public fascination. Hazel Lavery takes Michael under her wing and navigates him through London high society. They form a close bond and soon are engulfed in rumours of an affair and accusations that Michael has been seduced by the glamour of London and by Hazel. Kitty all but despairs at the situation but is determined to fight for him. After the infamous Anglo-Irish Treaty, Ireland veers towards civil war. As Michael, Hazel and Kitty arrive in Dublin that fateful week in August 1922,the war is at its zenith – and this love triangle is about to implode with devastating results.

Other Books From this Category

View More From This Category

Other Books From this Author

  • 6 Oct 2026 - Poolbeg Press Ltd

    The Expectation

    By A. O'Connor

  • 20 Oct 2020 - Poolbeg Press

    A Telegram From Berlin

    By A. O'Connor

    1939 – As the clouds of war gather across Europe, diplomat Gabriel Ford is sent to London to outline the Irish government’s intended policy of neutrality. While there, Gabriel, recently engaged an...

  • 1 Oct 2019 - Poolbeg Press Ltd

    'A Great Beauty'

    By A. O'Connor

    It is 1920 and, as the War of Independence rages throughout Ireland, Michael Collins is the most wanted man in the British Empire. He lives a life in hiding, conducting guerrilla warfare, outsmarting ...

  • 1 Nov 2018 - Poolbeg Press Ltd

    'By Royal Appointment'

    By A. O'Connor

    In 1861 nineteen-year-old Bertie, Prince of Wales, began an affair with the Irish actress Nellie Cliffden. By Royal Appointment is a  fictionalised account of their story, based on true events.

  • 25 Oct 2017 - Poolbeg Press Ltd

    'The Legacy of Armstrong House'

    By A. O'Connor

    2017 At Armstrong House, Kate and Nico Collins are looking forward to a bright future with their young son Cian. When archaeologist Daniel Byrne arrives in the area to investigate life there during th...

  • 23 Mar 2017 - Poolbeg Press Ltd

    'On Sackville Street'

    By A. O'Connor

    '1869 When Milandra Carter arrives to live on Sackville Street as a young widow, she becomes the talk of Dublin. Firstly, she scandalises society by refusing to wear the mandatory widow s weeds. She t...

  • 24 Sep 2015 - Poolbeg Press

    The Footman

    By A. O'Connor

    From the country mansions of 1930s Ireland, to the decadence of 1940s wartime Paris to the courtrooms of London in modern times. What the Footman saw . . . In 1930s Ireland, Joe Grady becomes the foot...

  • 20 Oct 2014 - Poolbeg

    The Left-Handed Marriage

    By A. O'Connor

    Irish beauty Diana Cantwell meets Max Von Hoffsten, heir to a German count, and their romance blossoms in the carefree days before the First World War. But, when they become engaged, Max’s father in...

  • 26 Sep 2013 - Poolbeg Press Ltd

    'The Secrets of Armstrong House'

    By A. O'Connor

    Present day - Kate and Nico Collins are filming a docudrama about life in their home Armstrong House in Ireland during its golden age at the turn of the century. When they discover a cover-up of a ter...

  • 28 May 2009 - Poolbeg Press Ltd

    'Ambition'

    By A. O'Connor

    When the most glamorous store in Knightsbridge, Franklyns, becomes a casualty of the credit crunch, new boss Stephanie Holden is appointed to transform its fortunes. Turning a profit seems the easy...

  • 30 Sep 2007 - Poolbeg Press Ltd

    Property

    By A. O'Connor

    From building towering glass apartment blocks to gated enclaves of mansions, Cunningham Homes has been a driving force of Ireland’s property boom. Denise and Cormac Cunningham seem the epitome of th...

View More From This Author

About Us

Irish Interest in based on one very simple idea: to bring the contents of any Irish bookshop to people everywhere, especially those outside Ireland who do not have the possibility of keeping abreast of new books published in Ireland. The Irish Interest web platform is purely a provider of information about new publications. The aim of the site is to have every publishing house in Ireland adding their latest titles as they become available. Hyperlinks to each title bring users of the site directly to the publisher's web area or to a sales site where books can be purchased.

Privacy Policy

Irishinterest.ie and its owners strive at all times to preserver the privacy of all personal information stored on its website and servers. Information deemed to be private and confidential will not be communicated to any parties or divulged in any way. Cookies and similar technologies Irishinterest.ie and its owners are not responsible for external data collection entities. Third party sites with access to Irishinterest.ie may be able to acquire or assimilate data. Cookies and similar technologies can be utilized by third parties accessing our site without our knowledge.

Terms & Conditions

Irishinterest.ie, Irishinterest.com, and its owners take no responsibility for information issued on its site that is posted by third parties. It is the sole responsibility of the third parties who utilize the site for publication of any information to ensure that such information is correct and does not infringe laws and the rights of others who may be affected by publication of such information. Disputed material will be removed pending clarification.