The Tailor and Ansty
Encyclopedia
The Tailor and Ansty is a 1942 book by Eric Cross
about the life of the Irish
tailor
and storyteller
, Timothy Buckley, and his wife Anastasia ("Ansty") Buckley (née McCarthy). The book was banned by the Censorship of Publications Board
because of its depiction of premarital cohabitation, and its sexual frankness.
The book was the subject of significant debate in 1942 in Seanad Éireann
, Ireland's upper house
, in which Buckley was accused of being "sex-obsessed", and his wife of being a "moron". It was said that they were examples of the "sores of moral leprosy" that could "undermine Christianity". Parts of the Seanad debate were struck from the record because they contained quotes from the book made by Sir John Keane
, to determine if they were really obscene or not. Keane also made the point that an opponent, Professor Magennis
, did not know what sodomy
was. The wider debate concerned the activities of the then "Free State Board of Book Censors", and Keane's motion was defeated on a vote by 34-2.
The local clergy arrived at Buckley's home, and forced him to burn his copy of the book. Frank O'Connor
, who had become an authority on the issue, said that a boycott
had been arranged against the couple.
The book was adapted for the stage in 1968 by P.J O'Connor, with Ronan Wilmot and Nuala Hayes playing the Tailor and Ansty respectively.
The ban on the book remained in place until the 1960s.
Eric Cross (writer)
Eric Cross was an Irish writer born in Newry, County Down, Ireland.In 1942, he published The Tailor and Ansty, in The Bell, a collection of stories and sayings from an old country tailor called Timothy Buckley and his wife Anastasia that Cross had recorded, with a foreword by Frank O'Connor...
about the life of the Irish
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
tailor
Tailor
A tailor is a person who makes, repairs, or alters clothing professionally, especially suits and men's clothing.Although the term dates to the thirteenth century, tailor took on its modern sense in the late eighteenth century, and now refers to makers of men's and women's suits, coats, trousers,...
and storyteller
Storyteller
- Films and television :* Narradores de Javé , a 2003 Brazilian film by Eliane Caffé* The Storyteller , a 2009 American horror film* The Storyteller, a 1988 television series by Jim Henson...
, Timothy Buckley, and his wife Anastasia ("Ansty") Buckley (née McCarthy). The book was banned by the Censorship of Publications Board
Censorship of Publications Board (Ireland)
The Censorship of Publications Board is an independent board established by the Censorship of Publications Act, 1929 to examine books and periodicals that are for sale in the Republic of Ireland. It is governed by the Censorship of Publications Acts of 1929, 1946 and 1967. The Board has the...
because of its depiction of premarital cohabitation, and its sexual frankness.
The book was the subject of significant debate in 1942 in Seanad Éireann
Seanad Éireann
Seanad Éireann is the upper house of the Oireachtas , which also comprises the President of Ireland and Dáil Éireann . It is commonly called the Seanad or Senate and its members Senators or Seanadóirí . Unlike Dáil Éireann, it is not directly elected but consists of a mixture of members chosen by...
, Ireland's upper house
Upper house
An upper house, often called a senate, is one of two chambers of a bicameral legislature, the other chamber being the lower house; a legislature composed of only one house is described as unicameral.- Possible specific characteristics :...
, in which Buckley was accused of being "sex-obsessed", and his wife of being a "moron". It was said that they were examples of the "sores of moral leprosy" that could "undermine Christianity". Parts of the Seanad debate were struck from the record because they contained quotes from the book made by Sir John Keane
Sir John Keane, 5th Baronet
Sir John Keane, 5th Baronet , was an Irish barrister and politician. He was educated at Clifton College and Royal Military Academy Woolwich. He succeeded his father as 5th Baronet in 1892. He was a senator in the upper house of the Irish parliament. He was also a director of the Bank of Ireland...
, to determine if they were really obscene or not. Keane also made the point that an opponent, Professor Magennis
William Magennis
William Magennis was an Irish politician and university professor. Born in Belfast, he was educated at Belvedere College, Dublin, and University College Dublin. In 1893 he was called to the Bar...
, did not know what sodomy
Sodomy
Sodomy is an anal or other copulation-like act, especially between male persons or between a man and animal, and one who practices sodomy is a "sodomite"...
was. The wider debate concerned the activities of the then "Free State Board of Book Censors", and Keane's motion was defeated on a vote by 34-2.
The local clergy arrived at Buckley's home, and forced him to burn his copy of the book. Frank O'Connor
Frank O'Connor
Frank O’Connor was an Irish author of over 150 works, best known for his short stories and memoirs.-Early life:...
, who had become an authority on the issue, said that a boycott
Boycott
A boycott is an act of voluntarily abstaining from using, buying, or dealing with a person, organization, or country as an expression of protest, usually for political reasons...
had been arranged against the couple.
The book was adapted for the stage in 1968 by P.J O'Connor, with Ronan Wilmot and Nuala Hayes playing the Tailor and Ansty respectively.
The ban on the book remained in place until the 1960s.