THE WAY WE WERE: CATHOLIC IRELAND SINCE 1922.

This article reviews Mary Kenny's book *The Way We Were: Catholic Ireland Since 1922*, which focuses on the historical context of Catholic Ireland and profiles of individuals shaped by its values. The book combines memoir, historical reflection, and personal anecdotes, addressing themes such as second-wave feminism, Irish political and cultural figures, and the evolving role of Catholicism in Irish society. Kenny's perspective emphasizes avoiding presentism and offers a defense of Catholic Ireland amid increasing secularization, though her tone and assessments may appear subjective or patronizing to some readers. The work serves as a reflective source on 20th-century Irish history, particularly urban Ireland in the 1970s, but should be considered within the author's personal viewpoint and the context of its writing.