Nick Maxwell Sir,—In most places, history is just history—but not in Ireland, it seems, where history is primarily politics. I find myself nonplussed by your editorial comment about a [British] royal presence in Dublin two years hence—in a journal that calls itself History Ireland? If history must be politics, let me call to mind that French President … Read more
Situated in a purpose-designed building, the Somme Heritage Centre is dedicated to Ireland and the First World War. Although located in a place with a strong unionist heritage, the centre is not solely devoted to the 36th (Ulster) Division, although naturally it features strongly. The centre itself is undergoing some important structural and administrative changes … Read more
My father’s war RTÉ 1, April 2015 For the centenary years of the First World War (2014–18) the BBC are deploying their vast resources across TV, radio and on-line platforms in what is, apparently, the single largest project they have ever undertaken: dramas, documentaries, debates, real-time accounts and much more besides are scheduled for … Read more
1970 Dr Patrick Hillery, Minister for External Affairs, visited the Falls Road, Belfast. The visit was criticised by the British Foreign Secretary, Sir Alec Douglas-Home, as ‘an error of judgment and a serious diplomatic discourtesy’. 1988 An explosion and resulting oil and gas fires destroyed Piper Alpha, an oil production platform in the North Sea … Read more
1864 The Royal College of Physicians, Kildare Street, Dublin, was founded. It was the first medical institution in Ireland or Britain to allow women to sit its examinations 1998 Orangemen gathered at Drumcree Church, Portadown, Co. Armagh, declaring that they would remain there until allowed to proceed with their banned march along Garvaghy Road. Over … Read more