This conference, convened by Gillian O’Brien and Finola O’Kane Crimmins from UCD, brought together 37 international speakers from a broad interdisciplinary background—history, literature, art and architecture—to explore the subject of Georgian Dublin. Garret FitzGerald opened the proceedings and reflected on the necessity of preserving the Georgian landscape of Dublin and on the battle for Hume … Read more
In October 1914, two months after the outbreak of the Great War, the civilian voluntary effort to support Irish troops at home and at the front was coordinated for the provinces of Leinster, Munster and Connacht by a joint executive committee of people from the British Red Cross Society (Co. Dublin branch) and the Irish … Read more
It’s stating the obvious, but no less true for that, to say that History Ireland wouldn’t exist without its readers. Over the years, many of you have taken the time to let me know what you think of the magazine. Our reader survey, conducted towards the end of 2005, sought to find out in more … Read more
The last conventional battle in Irish history was fought on Sunday 12 July 1691 at Aughrim, Co. Galway. A 20,000-strong Irish Jacobite army under the command of French Lt.-Gen. St Ruth occupied a defensive position stretching over one and a half miles along the ridge from Aughrim village. On the opposite, north-east or Ballinasloe, side … Read more
In 1914 approximately 57,000 Irishmen were serving in the British Army and its reserves. It is now generally accepted that over the following four years of the Great War another 144,000 enlisted, giving a total figure of approximately 200,000. Why did they enlist? Motivation varied from the personal—restlessness, a thirst for adventure or a wish … Read more