Great Irish Voices is a compilation of speeches, sermons and addresses that acknowledges the range of thought and purpose expressed by eminent Irish people over the last 400 years. Arranged in chronological order and with biographical notes, it is a really interesting and enlightening entré into several spheres of Irish life through the centuries.

Noteworthy speeches from the dock followed by issues relating to The Birth of a Nation provide an insight into historical events that have coloured this nation's path to freedom. The editor notes that as time has gone on politicians have relied less on oratorical skills and more on their speech writers than their predecessors. The fact that only two women feature in this collection can be accounted for by the fact that between 1922 and 1979 there was no female presence on the political or national stage. Much pain and yet great grandeur of spirit is reflected in this book.