The sharp debates currently surrounding the issue of immigration and the securing of borders call to mind a strange situation that the de Valera government faced as the Second World War came to an end. By Bernard Kelly In late 1944, Dublin and Belfast were both surprised to learn that London was about to transfer … Read more
By Fiona Fitzsimons The Irish Film Institute was set up in 1943 and incorporated in 1945, with the involvement of the Catholic Church. In the 1980s the National Film Institute, as it was then known, removed any mention of the Catholic Church from its constitution. In 1986 the Irish Film Institute Irish Film Archive was … Read more
An activity that could be used to embarrass her brother at a very critical time in the fortunes of the labour movement in Ireland. By Gerry Watts In his revealing article ‘Delia Larkin: “More harm to the Big Fellow than any of the employers”?’, James Curry identifies a substantial rift between Delia Larkin and her … Read more
The composition of the jury that tried and convicted Roger Casement. By Niamh Howlin Once the authorities had decided to try Roger Casement in the English civil courts, his solicitor, George Gavan Duffy, set about trying to secure defence counsel. This was not straightforward, however, as a number of leading barristers refused to represent him. … Read more
6 February 2017 was the 90th anniversary of the death of Sam Maguire, whose name was bestowed on the cup that has been awarded every year since 1928 to the winners of the All-Ireland Gaelic football championship. But who was he? By Junette Stronge Sam Maguire was born near Dunmanway, Co. Cork, into a Church … Read more