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
Few men in the eighteenth-century political world rose more rapidly or spectacularly than John Fitzgibbon. The son of a wealthy convert lawyer, he was barely thirty when he entered Parliament in 1778. Within five years he was appointed Attorney General. In 1789 he attained the highest legal office in Ireland, Lord Chancellor. He advanced equally … Read more
There was a time when Irish boys were free to choose their own school readers … being sturdy lads, born into a heritage of suffering and persecution, the spirit of resistance burning in their veins, it is not surprising that the reading book they liked best was a cheap little work containing an account of the daring deeds of famous … Read more
The historiography of Irish monasticism emphasises the glory and piety of this enlightened era, with its myriad of saints espousing high art and learning, and not only moulding this island but also making a resounding impact on Europe. Raiding and warring might seem anathema to this ostensibly spiritual world, but the numerous references to plundering … Read more
This exceptional offer became possible after an agreement between the governments of Australia and the United Kingdom resulted in the Assisted Passage Scheme. Almost one miIlion people took advantage of the cheaprate passage to start a new life Down Under. During the period covered by the scheme (1947-71) 991 ,431 British subjects received an assisted … Read more