Nick Maxwell Robert Erskine Childers wrote these words in the darkness of his damp prison cell less than an hour before his execution for unlawfully possessing a firearm (ironically given to him by Michael Collins) during the Civil War. It was then, and has since, been speculated that he had been an agent of the Crown and … Read more
The 2014 Kenmare Chronicle: your town, your community, your history. Irish heart, English blood: the making of Youghal (History Press Ireland, ?18 pb, 224pp, ISBN 9781845888220). Medieval and monastic Derry: sixth century to 1600 (Four Courts Press, ?24.95 hb, 176pp, ISBN 9781846823831). Thomas Clarke (O’Brien Press, ?12.99 pb, 272pp, ISBN 9781847172617). Seán MacDiarmada (O’Brien Press, … Read more
The weapons were imported after the arming of the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF), which, with the open support of the opposition Conservative Party, was established to prepare for civil war rather than accept all-Ireland Home Rule as set out in the bill of 1912. Home Rule had been introduced to allow the Liberal Party to … Read more
When Lord Frederick Cavendish was killed by the Invincibles in the Phoenix Park in May 1882, nothing like it had happened in British political life since Prime Minister Spencer Percival was shot dead in the lobby of the House of Commons in 1812. Percival is the only British prime minister to have been assassinated, and … Read more
I have to admit that I felt apprehensive about visiting this museum. It was a bit like entering the lion’s den to go into the headquarters of one of the loyal orders. The big friendly posters outside did not help and the welcome from the porter was not exactly warm, although that may have been … Read more