Boycott’s house at Keem, Achill

Sir,—First of all may I compliment you on the excellent layout of my article on ‘Captain’ Boycott in your last issue (HI 19.1, Jan./Feb. 2011). The featured photo of Boycott’s house at Keem was provided by a student of the Achill Archaeological School, Connie Harrison, and she had requested that she be credited in the … Read more

Who was IRA GHQ Director of Organisation in 1921?

Sir,   —Your edition of Jan./Feb. 2009 contained an interesting article by Risteárd Mulcahy on Leo Whelan’s painting GHQ staff, 1921. The caption identifies two of the people portrayed as Eamonn Price (organisation) and Eóin O’Duffy (assistant chief-of-staff). But were either of these men members of GHQ in the stated positions at the time of … Read more

Cromwell and Irish republicanism

Sir,—Fergus Whelan’s fascinating article on Cromwell and Irish republicanism (HI 18.6, Nov./Dec. 2010) brought to mind two interesting parallels between the Irish republicans of 1798 and the English republicans of a century and a half earlier. The Roundheads and Croppies both wore their hair short as a badge, and both Levellers and United Irishmen adopted … Read more

The true story of a ‘remarkable photograph’

Sir,   —The photograph on the cover of a recently published book, The War for Ireland 1913–1923 (see also Bookworm), is credited inside thus: ‘This remarkable photograph, taken on 14 October 1920 by 15-year-old John J. Hogan, an apprentice photographer, is of British intelligence officer, Lt Gilbert Arthur Price RTR, only seconds before he was … Read more

Dublin City Council and forthcoming centenaries

Sir,—In late 2010 Dublin City Council’s Arts and Culture Strategic Policy Committee established a commemoration sub-committee to plan how Dublin City Council should commemorate that have significant anniversaries occurring over the next six years. Since this is a Dublin City Council initiative, the events to be commemorated will be those that have a close association with … Read more