‘Many people have claimed to be him. His real name was Paddy Butner. He was 9 years old’ (Desmond Ryan). Sir, —I am compiling information in order to write a short articleconcerning Paddy Butner. In 1929 Col. Charles Dalton, in his book Withthe Dublin Brigade, gave the credit for driving the stolen armoured carunder the … Read more
Sir, —I read with interest about those who engineered or took part inthe Easter Rising of 1916 (HI 14.2, March/April 2006) but I would liketo know about the thousands of ordinary people who were affected indifferent ways by the fighting on their doorsteps, the bombing andburning and the loss of livelihood. My great-grandparents had a … Read more
Sir, —I bought your magazine for the first time recently while waitingfor a train at Heuston Station. I really enjoyed it, but theoutstanding article was by Charlie McGuire on Seán McLoughlin. What afascinating account of this man, and, of course, the epilogue had mereally purring! But can we have more, please? What became of SeánMcLoughlin’s … Read more
Sir, —Hot on the heels of comparing Ulster unionists to the Nazis, it now seems that Mary McAleese wishes to reinstate the glorification of a rebellion that caused immeasurable suffering to the very people the insurgents were seeking to free from ‘oppression’. This seems particularly unfortunate at a time when the Republic of Ireland seemed … Read more
Just when you thought it was safe…? ‘The Republic guarantees religious and civil liberty, equal rights and equal opportunities to all its citizens, and declares its resolve to pursue the happiness and prosperity of the whole nation and of all its parts, cherishing all the children of the nation equally, and oblivious of the differences … Read more