Redmond family

John Redmond was the third Redmond to win a seat at Westminster, after his great-uncle and father, and was MP for Wexford constituencies (1881–91) and Waterford (1891–1918). Local loyalty to the former leader and his family continued to be a feature of political and even social life in Waterford after his death. Redmond’s son, Captain … Read more

Willie Redmond events

The commencement of similar commemorations for John Redmond’s brother, Major Willie Redmond, in Ennis in June 1924 further highlighted a resurfacing of Redmondite loyalties. Although not as big an event as the Wexford anniversaries, the 1924 Willie Redmond event feat-ured contingents in the procession from across Munster as well as from Wexford, Dublin and Galway, … Read more

Decade of Centenaries all-island schools’ history competition 2015

This competition for primary and post-primary schools is sponsored by the Department of Education and Skills, Mercier Press, UCC School of History and History Ireland. There are four categories: ‘decade of centenaries’; biography; local or regional issues; and national issues. There will be prizes for the best primary and post-primary project in each category, one … Read more

The medal

Benny Gallagher’s house is on the edge of Glenveagh National Park and just a quarter of a mile from the birthplace of St Colmcille. Last year, while he was digging in his garden, he found a medal, which he sent into our school for identification. We cleaned it using Coke, and inscribed on the back … Read more

Parnell and Katharine O’Shea

Parnell appears to have been happier with Katharine O’Shea than Abby was with Samuel Abbott, but he and Katharine were constantly trying to deceive her husband, Captain William O’Shea, about the nature of their relationship. In 1881 O’Shea challenged Parnell to a duel and in 1886 he pressured Parnell to obtain a seat in the … Read more