Nick Maxwell Sir, —Michael Doorley’s interesting article on the Friends of IrishFreedom (HI 16.2, March/April 2008) refers in passing to the supportersof John Devoy and Judge Daniel Cohalan referring to de Valera as ‘aforeign potentate’ but seems to regard this choice of words as a merecuriosity. In fact, they were making a specific reference to the UnitedStates … Read more
In eighteenth-century Ireland wealth and success were embodied in the carriage, and, unlike present-day totems of conspicuous consumption, these could be unique to the owner in style and pageantry. Like today’s private jets and helicopters, in the eighteenth century carriages were associated with successful traders and commercial figures. In Dublin in particular, corporation occasions offered … Read more
The Ouzel Galley Society was closely linked with the Dublin Chamber of Commerce. The other prominent commercial club was the Committee of Merchants, radical businessmen who organised and funded the erection of the Royal Exchange (now Dublin City Hall). They also sought (and failed) to stop the Dublin Custom House from moving to its present … Read more
Sir, —I was pleasantly surprised to see the portrait of the IRA GHQstaff in your May/June 2008 edition. David O’Donoghue’s assertionsabout their work are correct. I am currently researching the life ofDirector of Organisation Eamon ‘Bob’ Price for inclusion in anexpanded, revised edition of my father Ted Kenny’s book, The splendidyears. The book recounted my … Read more
In the aftermath of the Williamite revolution religious persecution intensified. In 1697 the Irish parliament, an exclusively Protestant assembly since 1691, enacted a law to banish all Catholic bishops and others exercising ecclesiastical jurisdictions, as well as regulars (religious orders), from Ireland. In 1704 ‘an act to prevent the further growth of popery’ demanded the … Read more