The Paris revolution of February 1848 raised unrealistic expectations in famine-ravaged Ireland. The sudden collapse of established regimes across Europe gave new hope to a divided and dispirited Repeal movement. Irish nationalists were led to believe that the Union could be repealed with similar ease. The romantic nationalists of Young Ireland were particularly heartened by … Read more
It has been noted as a case of historical negligence that no photographs were taken of the Great Irish Famine even though early photographers had the means. Those given to conspiracy theories suggest that photographs of the starving and the dead were taken but were such an affront to Victorian sensibilities and Britain’s standing in … Read more
The names of the leaders are familiar: Thomas Davis, Charles Gavan Duffy, John Blake Dillon, William Smith O’Brien, James Fintan Lalor and John Mitchel. However, amongst a wider circle of mainly young people who contributed to The Nation, who distributed it, who went to Repeal meetings or who joined the various societies promoting Irish culture … Read more