How many divisions has the pope? As Eamon O’Flaherty observes in his review of Irish media reaction to the death of Pope John Paul II (TV Eye, pp 52–3), ‘remarkable claims have been made about John Paul II’s influence on world history, the most notable being that he was the main architect of the downfall … Read more
Sir, —This photograph has defied identities and definition despitepublication in County Wexford newspapers and submission to the NationalLibrary. Its importance is evident by the formality in pose, thepresence of two bishops in silk hats, George Noble, Count Plunkett, andone other identified, active, influential but unobtrusivenationalist—the gentleman in the back row at the extreme right. He … Read more
Sir, —You are to be congratulated on publishing Ron Hill’s article ‘Thecollapse of the Soviet Union’ (HI 13.2, March/April 2005). Not only wasit an informative introduction for the general reader, but also itraises a number of questions. Hill ends his piece with the summary:‘[The Soviet Union] had lost its way sometime in the 1970s, and … Read more
Sir, —Peter Hart in his interview (HI 13.2, March/April 2005) dismissesmy work in Tom Barry: IRA freedom fighter, saying that it ‘containsalmost no new evidence’ despite my in-depth analysis of the Kilmichaelambush, the sectarian issue (1920–22) that Peter Hart places suchemphasis on in his book (but not in the interview) and other aspects ofTom Barry’s … Read more
Sir, —In the January/February issue (HI 13.1) Professor John Horne gives an illuminating account of the origins and rise to power of Fascism in Italy and of National Socialism in Germany. I have only two cavils with his article. After examining arguments for and against the notion that the two movements had enough in common … Read more