This book meticulously analyzesCruiskeen Lawn, a popular column published in The Irish Times by Irish writer Myles na gCopaleen (real name Brian O'Nolan, though also known as Flann O'Brien), from 1940 to 1966.Cruiskeen Lawnwas a comic literary column devoted to offering a sharp and incisive portrait of mid-twentieth century Ireland. Conscious of the historical significance of twenty-six years& worth of political commentary by a renowned intellectual figure such as O&Nolan, this book examines the total of 4,032 newspaper articles that composeCruiskeen Lawnwith a twofold aim: firstly, to understand Myles na gCopaleen&sCruiskeen Lawnas a work of political commentary and to view the column as a historical account of mid-twentieth century Ireland; and secondly, to determine O&Nolan&s own political philosophy through a close reading of his opinions on the political events discussed throughout the book.