The definition of British rule in Ireland as ‘usurpation’ (with some reference to Brexit)

The interesting article by Brian Hanley on ‘the shadow of Strongbow’ in the last issue (HI 27.3, May/June 2019) made reference to the word ‘usurpation’ as a description of the character of English rule in Ireland. Reflection on the significance of this word provides not only an unexpected connection between Patrick Pearse and John Redmond … Read more

An English invasion, 1169?

Sir,—Permit me two observations on your excellent last issue on Strongbow and his companions (HI 27.3, May/June 2019). Prof. Seán Duffy’s Platform piece and your deliberately provocative editorial proclaiming the invaders to be English has surely garnered much reaction. But I fail to see how a mixed band of Norman, Welsh, Flemish and, yes, some … Read more

The Bremen today

Sir,—The article on Col. James Fitzmaurice and the Bremen (HI 27.2, March/April 2019) is a very interesting one. The Bremen was a Junkers W33 long-wing monoplane and was based on a typical all-metal Junkers construction with an aluminium skin. The engine was able to reach 310 horsepower. The average weight of a Junkers W33 was … Read more

Correction

Sir,—In my review of the late Donnchadh Ó Corráin’s Clavis Litterarum Hibernensium (HI 27.3, May/June 2019) I accidentally attributed the beautiful one-verse poem Isan bhFrainc to the Franciscan poet Pilib Bocht Ó Huiginn, when in fact it was composed by his Dominican contemporary Pádraigín Haicéad. I would ask your readers to treat the lapse as … Read more