Nick Maxwell 
Following the First World War, the perceived inadequacies of the peace settlement were a major contributing factor to political turmoil in Italy. Coining the phrase ‘mutilated victory’, the acclaimed poet, politician and soldier Gabriele D’Annunzio (1863–1938) emerged as the high priest of Italian irredentism. Acting on his grievances, he formed a private army, which in … Read more
The first monument erected by the National Graves Association was over the graves of rank-and-file Easter Week Volunteers in Glasnevin Cemetery. It was unveiled by Frank Ryan on 31 March 1929. Over the years the monument began to show signs of wear and tear, so on the 50th anniversary of the Rising the association, at … Read more
Walter Stanley Paget was a painter and illustrator who was born in London in 1863 and died in 1935. As a painter he exhibited six times with the Royal Academy, though he seems to have been more successful as an illustrator; he was commissioned to produce drawings for books by both Sir Walter Scott and … Read more
The National Graves Association (NGA) was formed in 1926. The first meeting was presided over by Mrs Kathleen Clarke, widow of the executed 1916 leader Thomas J. Clarke, and set out its objectives: to restore and maintain the graves of the patriotic dead of every generation, to commemorate those who died in the cause of … Read more
The Ulster Volunteer Force (1913–20) was a paramilitary organisation created in January 1913 in response to the campaign against Home Rule. The UVF soon had 90,000 members; it was mainly led by retired British Army officers and trained by reserve non-commissioned officers. The members were well equipped compared to their southern opponents, the Irish Volunteers; … Read more