The man whose father's career was blasted by an The son of a Fine Gael official and TD becomes editor of Fianna Fáil's newspaper. There was financial security, servants and a lively social life in the Coogan home in Monkstown. He married Beatrice Toal, a policeman's daughter, considered to be one of the most beautiful women in Dublin. "Ned" Coogan, Tim Pat's father, an IRA and Sinn Féin organiser in his native Kilkenny, was appointed as deputy commissioner of the new police force. The Coogans were a family that did well - initially - out of the founding of the new State. Irish Pressfor almost two decades, author of a dozen books on Irish history and culture, Tim Pat Coogan's many-stranded memoir is an instructive prism through which to view some aspects of the evolution of post-independence Ireland. To this store of happiness, a few lines later, he adds the blessings of six children, 12 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. 'I ENJOY MANY friendships with both men and women, my house is warm and comfortable, and there is an abundance of wine on my sideboard." Thus, Tim Pat Coogan, at 73, contentedly frames the world about him. Tim Pat CooganWeidenfeld Nicholson, 356pp, £18.99
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