Nick Maxwell The object of the disaffected in Ireland is the repeal of the Act of Union. (Report of Sir Arthur Wellesey’s agent, May 1808) The passing of the Act of Union (1800) was one of the most controversial and contested events in modern Irish history. The historiography has reflected this with interpretations divided on key elements … Read more
Giraldus (c.1146-c.1223) is famous, and infamous, for his works describing Wales and Ireland in the later twelfth century: they present both countries from the viewpoint of a Roman-minded Cambro-Norman cleric. However, we also can ascertain his view of Europe through a map that is found in a manuscript along with his two books on Ireland—the … Read more
Dracula! The very name conjures up visions of mist-shrouded ruined castles in the mountains of Transylvania and of superstitious peasants huddled together in some Moldavian village inn. Forget all that—Dracula might be closer than you think! In fact, the true home of the vampire count might more correctly lie in Ireland! Leacht Abhartach In the … Read more
Diarmaid Ferriter lectures in history at St Patrick’s College, Drumcondra. Clodagh Tait is a postgraduate history student at University College Cork; Hans S. Pawlisch works at the Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Washington DC; Mícheál Ó Siochrú lectures in early modern Irish history at Trinity College, Dublin; Dominic Bryan lectures … Read more
For a long time Irish nationalism was seen primarily in terms of political movements, and there has been a tendency to identify with mass movements rather than elites. Recent theories which emphasise how educational and social obstacles to upward mobility for minorities in a professional society encourage nationalist movements has revived interest in the Catholic … Read more