Book:
The History of Physical Culture in Ireland. Available to buy here.
Reviews:
“The History of Physical Culture in Ireland is not only a learned and readable book about a part of sport and exercixe that has ended up in the backwaters of the more spectacular and mediatized competitive sports, it is also an example of a well-conducted research effort. … All in all, a book well worth spending time with.” (Hans Bolling, idrottsforum.org, May 4, 2021).
“It is a work of immense scholarly achievement, replete with original insights pertaining to complex questions of gender, race, class, childhood and commerce…” (Sean Donnelly, Irish Historical Studies, 2022).
“For the immediate Irish audience, Heffernan’s work is groundbreaking and an essential work complementing the country’s wider and more extensively explored history of sporting culture. In addition, the examination of how Irish people related to and identified with the body through physical culture makes an important contribution to the broader field of gender studies.” (Donal Howley, Journal of Sport History, 2022).
Awards:
Shortlisted for Lord Aberdare Prize, British Society of Sport History, 2022.
Book:
The History of Physical Culture. Available to buy here.
Reviews:
“After reading the book it’s evident that it not only offers an accessible entry point to the history of physical culture, but also a tangible way of uncovering one of the multitude of ways power relations are present within our everyday lives…” (Greta Bladh, idrottsforum.org, June 8, 2023)
“I’d encourage anyone to place it on their reading bucket list and pick up a copy to gain a richer appreciation for our bodies, our workouts, and the incredible journey that brought us to where we are today.” (Shawn Stone, Carved Outta Stone, June 30, 2023).
Awards:
Winner, Publisher’s Prize, Common Ground Networks, 2023.