Sir,—I am researching the life of Conor O’Brien the writer, architect,patriot and round-the-world yachtsman. His full name was Edward ConorMarshall O’Brien and he lived from 1880-1952. He was a grandson ofWilliam Smith O’Brien and a half-brother of Dermod O’Brien, the artistand former President of the RHA. He married Katharine Clausen theartist daughter of Sir George … Read more
Sir,—I was very pleased to read the article by Owen McGee on FrederickJames Allan in your Spring issue, 2002 (HI 10.1). I hope that abiography is planned, as it is well deserved. My main interest in FredAllan has rested in his long-time relationship with Major JohnMacBride. The latter has been the recipient of a bad … Read more
Sir,—In his informative contribution, ‘Bulmer Hobson, “the mostdangerous man in Ireland”’ (HI 10.1, Spring 2002), Des Gunning mentionsthe peculiar fact that Hobson ‘has failed to attract the attention of aserious biographer’. So diverse was Hobson’s influence that publishedtwentieth-century Irish history is seriously undermined by thisomission. He certainly doesn’t fit into any of the stereotypes associatedwith … Read more
Sir,—I am a trifle disappointed, but not surprised, with Tim Bowman’sfinal conclusions in his otherwise well-informed and scholarly reviewof the role of the Ulster Volunteers before World War I—‘The UlsterVolunteers 1913-1914: force or farce?’ (HI 10.1, Spring 2002). Inhindsight it is unfortunate that he opted for a title that delivers thedistinct impression of an ability … Read more
Sir,—In his article, ‘Major Robert Gregory and the Irish Air Aces of 1917-18’ (HI 9.4, Winter 2001), Adrian Smith asserts that John McCudden, brother of James McCudden, was ‘posthumously awarded the family’s second Victoria Cross’. The sole Victoria Cross awarded to the McCudden family was that awarded to James and announced in the London Gazette … Read more