Nick Maxwell Chalice in a bog…or fool’s gold? Sir,—In ‘The Cusack Papers: new evidence on the Knock apparition’ (HI 4.4, Winter 1996), John White claims to have discovered new evidence that promises to ‘challenge our present understanding of Knock’, but he neither clarifies what is ‘new’ about his evidence nor shows how it changes our understanding. A … Read more
The Centre for Emigration Studies at the Ulster-American Folk Park and Queen’s University Outreach Programme launched their MSSc course in Migration Studies last November. The programme offers an exciting opportunity to study aspects of migration both to and from Ireland between 1600 and 1900. Based at the Folk Park, where the Centre for Emigration Studies … Read more
Columba & his churches 597-1997 On 4-7 July Magee College, Derry will host a conference to mark the 1400th anniversary of Columcille’s death. The theme will be the geographical and cultural diversity of the churches which promoted the cult of St Columba, a man whose career spanned the island of Ireland, north and south, … Read more
Abbey of St Thomas the Martyr An archaeological assessment at 2-5 Meath Market, South Earl Street (beside HI’s offices) has uncovered substantial structures of archaeological significance, which appear to be the remains of the medieval Abbey of St Thomas the Martyr. The abbey, later known as Thomas Court, was founded in March … Read more
by Michael Curwen Almost 200 years ago my great-great-great-grandfather spent two months travelling round Ireland. His description of the journey was published in 1818 under the title Observations on the State of Ireland principally directed to its Agriculture and Rural Population; in a series of letters written on a tour through that country. I … Read more