Nick Maxwell

Sir,—As we are now in the zone of commemorations of the First World War, one aspect of Ireland’s involvement tends to be forgotten. Ireland was in the front line in one of the most critical engagements of that war. I refer to the submarine campaign waged against British (and Irish) supply lines. The situation became … Read more

Sir,—In her interesting article on ‘Women and war in Ireland, 1914–18’ (HI 22.4, July/Aug. 2014) Senia Pasˇeta notes that ‘optimism about post-war prospects for women’ was expressed ‘as early as 1915’ by Edith Somerville. Even earlier, in October 1914, Mary Hayden, Professor of Modern Irish History at UCD, addressed the Irish Women’s Franchise League on … Read more

Sir,—Your last editorial (HI 22.4, July/ Aug. 2014) is puzzling. How could ‘the political leaders . . . of Ireland . . . stand indicted’ for the Great War? Carson wasn’t in cabinet until 1915 and Redmond declined his appointment, so your concern must be with both men’s advocating enlistment to fight their country’s enemies. … Read more