Nick Maxwell A plaque commemorating the founding of the United Irishmen was unveiled in Belfast’s Clifton Street cemetery on Saturday 7 October by Douglas Gageby, former editor of the Irish Times and Patron of History Ireland, who said that the United Irishmen ‘were above all good people, brave people, people with aspirations for harmony among the people … Read more
Sean Duffy Mel Gibson’s recently released film Braveheart, based rather loosely on the life of the Scots hero William Wallace, has engendered much debate and not a little criticism. It is a far from perfect production with many distortions of fact and some cringe-inducing historical gymnastics. In many cases these misconstructions were … Read more
John Molony, at present Research Professor at the Australian Catholic University, was the Keith Cameron Professor of Australian History at University College Dublin from 1990 to 1993. He returned to Dublin for a brief visit recently to launch his latest book, a biography of Thomas Davis, A soul came into Ireland (Geography Publications). Brendan Smith … Read more
Susan Hood Strokestown Park House, one of Ireland’s finest Palladian mansions, and the last in County Roscommon to remain intact, has been the focus of much public attention as the site of Ireland’s first Famine Museum, which occupies its adjoining stable wing. The museum was opened by President Robinson in May 1994 (see … Read more
South by Maurice Phelan The new Junior Certificate syllabus, launched with much publicity a few years ago, was to herald a whole new approach to the teaching of history in the South. The emphasis was to be on sending pupils and teachers to the ‘sources’. There was to be a move away from the names, … Read more