Nick Maxwell By Stephen Collins It was fitting that last October’s Parnell Society annual symposium on the theme of the Irish parliamentary tradition began with a focus on the political life of John Bruton, who died a year ago. Bruton was the only leader of the state in its first 100 years of independence who was clear … Read more
Sir,—Paddy Cullivan ends his thought-provoking (but provocative) piece on Tone’s death (HI 32.5, Sept./Oct. 2024) in a constructive mood, stating that he ‘could have been murdered’, and ‘we just don’t know’. This opinion piece comes after several exchanges on the topic last year, referenced here for HI readers. He states that two [unnamed] Trinity scholars … Read more
Sir,—Ruairí Nolan’s exploration of the mystery of Thomas Francis Meagher’s death at Fort Benton, Montana, in 1867, when he was just 43 years old (HI 32.5, Sept./Oct. 2024), features a photograph of the fine equestrian statue of Meagher that stands in a place of honour outside the Montana state capitol at Helena. I paid a … Read more
BY DONAL FALLON THE IRISH COURTS PODCAST Marking the centenary of the Courts of Justice Act, 1924, a new podcast series explores landmark legal cases in Irish history, with some remarkable guests appearing. In ‘The David Norris Case’, we hear from author Colm Tóibín, former president Mary McAleese and David Norris himself. Other episodes explore … Read more
BY AODHÁN CREALEY JANUARY 06/1839 The ‘Night of the Big Wind’. With nothing on the barometer to indicate its approach, Ireland’s most devastating recorded storm hit the west coast in the afternoon and then moved eastwards, affecting the northern half of the country in particular and peaking between 2am and 5am. With winds described by … Read more