Nick Maxwell

Sir,—An inset to the thoughtful and interesting article ‘Reclaiming an Irish “Way of St James”’ (HI 24.3, May/June 2016, p. 17) gives a short summary of Thomas à Becket and his relationship with King Henry II, one-time friend and possible accomplice to his murder. It says that what came between the one-time friends was, ‘among … Read more

Sir,—Brian Kelly (HI 24.4, July/Aug. 2016, letters) is of course correct when he states that the assertion that Cromwellian-era Irish prisoners suffered under exactly the same conditions as African-American slaves in the British West Indies is ‘derided by professional historians’. However, just because an idea is derided by professional historians does not mean that it … Read more

Sir,—Having read D.R. O’Connor Lysaght’s letter (HI 24.4, July/August 2016) with interest, I can only concur wholeheartedly with him that Arthur Griffith was an anti-Semite; this is fairly well known. However, what is less well known, if known at all, is that a number of others who espoused nationalism of the separatist variety were also … Read more

Sir,—The photograph (above) depicts an LDF parade through Cork’s Patrick Street taken in 1943 or 1944. I would be grateful to any of your readers who might recognise it and contribute additional information. Some years ago I published it and received two phone calls, one from Perth, Australia, and one from a lady in Cork, … Read more

Sir,—Angus Mitchell’s essay on Roger Casement’s Black Diaries (HI 24.4, July/Aug. 2016) was revealing and informative, and his affirmation that Casement was a ‘gay martyr’ is interesting—and honest. But, so far as I understand, Casement’s sexual orientation was not just about being homosexual: it was that he was attracted to boys between the ages of … Read more