DUIGNAN, Mary Ann (‘Chicago May’) (1871–1929), criminal and prostitute, described by contemporary tabloid journalists as ‘the most dangerous woman in the world’, was born on 26 December 1871 in Edenmore townland, Dromard parish, Ballinamuck, Co. Longford, the eldest among two daughters and three sons of Francis Duignan and Anne Duignan (née Gray); the pet name … Read more
At a time when there is a greater acknowledgement of the role played by Irishmen in the British army, there is a group of Irishwomen with a unique claim to recognition for their humanitarian work among soldiers. Elise Sandes was the founder of a welfare movement that survives today. She was an evangelical Christian and … Read more
A new monument to Michael Joseph (The) O’Rahilly, who was shot during the dying hours of the Easter Rising, was unveiled to an enthusiastic crowd on O’Rahilly Parade on 29 April 2005. The artist, Shane Cullen, was commissioned to celebrate a courageous and gallant individual who died 89 years ago and has done this with … Read more
One of the successes of last year’s ‘Contesting History’ course in Trinity College (sponsored by History Ireland and running on Monday evenings for eighteen weeks from October 2004) was not just the debates that were stimulated on the night but also the homage that is being paid to it in an upcoming RTÉ Radio series, … Read more
Gone but not forgotten tells the story of the people who fought for Irish independence from the area of south Dublin, which today is known as Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown. The women profiled here were judges, educators, writers, social activists, freedom fighters, spies, county council officials and politicians. James Connolly’s youngest daughter, Fiona, featured in the exhibition, … Read more