Nick Maxwell 
The French revolutionary government had launched two unsuccessful Irish invasions—in 1796 and 1798—believing that Britain’s naval superiority would be much reduced by the loss of Ireland. In 1803, following lobbying by Irish generals in the French army for the creation of a new Irish corps, Napoleon approved the formation of a light infantry battalion, La … Read more
Irishmen soldiered abroad in the armies of continental Europe from at least 1587, when Irish regiments were formed in Spain, and this tradition continued well into the early nineteenth century. Many were forced to seek fame and fortune abroad after failed rebellions and religious discrimination at home. Following defeat in the Williamite War (1689–91), the … Read more
On 1 May 1639 a ‘Wild Goose’ in Brussels, Flanders, passed away somewhat unexpectedly and was interred in the Church (now Cathedral) of St Michael and St Gudula in the city. His resting place and that of his noble wife, Marie Hannedouche, is now no longer marked, owing to reconstructions of the church over the … Read more
The Council of Irish Chiefs and Chieftains together with Clans of Ireland (Fínte na hÉireann), in association with the History Department of Trinity College, Dublin, and History Ireland magazine, is offering a prize of ?750 for the winning entrant in an essay competition on Gaelic Ireland. Entry is open to all persons over eighteen years … Read more
The O’Molony surname and its more modern variants (Moloney, Maloney and Mullowney) all derive from the Gaelic Ó Maoldomnaig, meaning ‘descendant of a servant of Sunday’. The ‘e’ was inserted in the Molony surname in the eighteenth century to distinguish Catholic Molonys from their Protestant brethren. Omallun is another variant seen in the Petworth Archives … Read more