Sir John Gilbert Nineteen-ninety-eight is the centenary of the death of Sir John Gilbert whose valuable legacy to the city and people of Dublin continues to this day. Born in Dublin in 1829, he was a noted book collector, librarian of the Royal Irish Academy, historian and archivist. The Gilbert Library in Pearse Street contains … Read more
by Christine Casey and Christopher Ward In 14 St Stephen’s Green is an unusual historical document. On one pane of a sash window in the rear hall-floor parlour are scratched the names of five soldiers: A.O. Pollock 21st Regiment, W. Rowland McKay 3rd Dragoon Guards, W.C. Forbes 92nd Highlanders, Mr M. McKay 3rd … Read more
Who fears to speak of ‘98? 1998 will mark the bicentenary of the United Irish rising of 1798 and preparations for its commemoration are already underway, especially in County Wexford where the bicentenary holds special significance. A commemoration association, Comóradh ‘98, backed by the local authorities and numerous county organisations and societies, has been active … Read more
History Ireland recently received an AIB Better Ireland Award in the ‘arts and communication’ category in recognition of its contribution to Irish cultural life. The proceedings were transmitted live from the AIB headquarters in Ballsbridge and televised on RTE on 10 January 1995 and presented by Pat Kenny. Dublin editor, Tommy Graham, is pictured here … Read more
(Recorded live on Sunday 29 September 2024, @ The Substation, Alexandra Road, Dublin, D01 H4C6) In 1986, the maritime historian, John de Courcey Ireland, wrote: ‘The lives of island peoples like Ireland’s [have] been dominated by the seas encircling them. Yet this fact has been largely ignored by Irish historians’. Is Irish history still ‘sea … Read more