A landmark 1970 anthology: 24 Irish writers reflect on James Joyce's life, work, and literary legacy. First edition, original dust jacket, with contributions from Samuel Beckett, Edna O'Brien, Flann O'Brien, and others.
About This Collection
A Bash in the Tunnel: James Joyce by the Irish is the definitive first-edition hardcover published by Clifton Books in 1970, edited by John Ryan. This is a seminal anthology that gathers 24 of Ireland's finest literary voices to examine, celebrate, critique, and reinterpret the life and monumental legacy of James Joyce.
The contributors read like a roll-call of 20th-century Irish literary royalty: Samuel Beckett (Joyce's friend and literary heir), Edna O'Brien (pioneering novelist), Brian Nolan (Flann O'Brien, satirist and author), Patrick Kavanagh (poet and essayist), Stanislaus Joyce (James's own brother), Ulick O'Connor, John Montague, and 16 others. Together, they construct a multifaceted, intimate portrait of Joyce from the perspective of those who knew him or felt his influence most profoundly.
The book is bound in dark green cloth boards and presented in its original, unclipped dust jacket, which carries the 1970 price marking (£2.50 / 50 shillings net). Inside, the text is complemented by illustrated sketches, including a striking portrait of Joyce by the renowned Irish artist Sean O'Sullivan R.H.A. The 259-page text block is bright, clean, and superbly readable—a lasting tribute to mid-century Irish publishing craft.
Why This Book?
Seminal Literary Criticism
A foundational anthology of Joycean scholarship and interpretation—essential for anyone serious about Joyce, modernism, or 20th-century Irish letters.
Historic Contributors
Features essays by literary giants including Samuel Beckett, Edna O'Brien, and Joyce's own brother Stanislaus—voices that shaped modern Irish and world literature.
Original First Edition
A complete, original 1970 Clifton Books hardcover with unclipped dust jacket—a direct link to the vibrant Dublin literary scene and its reception of Joyce.
Illustrated & Beautifully Made
Includes original sketches and a striking portrait by Sean O'Sullivan R.H.A. Green cloth boards, solid binding, exemplary mid-century Irish bookcraft.
Excellent Reading & Display Copy
Bright, clean interior pages free from foxing, inscriptions, or marked passages. Tight binding and square spine make it equally at home on a shelf or in daily use.
Affordable Collector's Entry Point
A true vintage hardcover with significant literary and historical merit, offered at a price that welcomes both scholars and collectors building a foundation collection.
Specifications
| Book Title | A Bash in the Tunnel: James Joyce by the Irish |
|---|---|
| Editor | John Ryan |
| Publisher | Clifton Books |
| Publication Year | 1970 |
| Edition | First Edition |
| Format | Hardcover with Original Dust Jacket |
| Binding | Dark Green Cloth Boards |
| Pages | 259 |
| ISBN-10 | 090125519X |
| EAN | 9780901255198 |
| Illustrations | Yes, including portrait by Sean O'Sullivan R.H.A. |
| Language | English |
| Country of Origin | Ireland |
The Photos
Every photograph in this listing shows the actual item for sale. You will see the book's front cover (featuring the iconic tunnel motif and portrait), the back cover (showing the complete table of contents in brick-wall lettering), the spine (with crisp title lettering in white), and a close-up of the spine's condition. These images provide a complete record of the book's exterior and edge wear.
Condition Report
Grade: Good, Used Pre-Owned
This is a solid, complete, and very readable copy with honest, significant wear concentrated on the dust jacket.
Dust Jacket: The original, unclipped dust jacket is present and shows heavy signs of age and use. The top edge of the spine is chipped, creased, and torn. The bottom edge of the jacket is heavily frayed, "bashed," and scuffed throughout, with small paper losses visible (particularly along the bottom edge). The price label (£2.50 / 50s. net) remains legible.
Hardcover Boards: The dark green cloth boards underneath are in good shape. The corners and spine ends show bumping and softening consistent with shelf wear and the jacket's condition. No major stains or damage to the cloth itself.
Pages & Binding: All 259 interior pages are in excellent, clean condition. The text is bright and crisp with no foxing, inscriptions, underlining, or other marking. The binding remains tight and square throughout. This is a genuinely pleasant reading experience.
Overall: This is an honest, good-condition reading copy and an affordable collector's example. The interior merit far outweighs the cosmetic wear to the jacket. Please examine the photo gallery to form your own complete assessment.