In 1979, in one of the first public addresses of his pontificate, Pope John Paul II called for a new study of the long-contested ‘Galileo affair’ that would permit ‘a frank recognition of wrongs from whatever side they came’. Needless to say, the initiative was widely welcomed, and when the pope established a formal commission … Read more
When the principal Ulster lords, together with almost 100 of their followers, fled the province in September 1607 they left behind a situation of some confusion. Among their own followers the removal of the focus of local loyalties and the administrators of everyday life created a sense of despondency, and even of betrayal. Some of … Read more
Is mó dán a ghin an tarlaing a dtugtar ‘Imeacht na nIarlaí’ coitianta air. Bainean dhá cheann de na dánta sin leis an imeacht féin agus leis an long a d’iompair na hIarlaí thar lear: ainmníonn ceann acu (7) cuid den lucht taistil a bhí sa long, insíonn an dán eile (8) gurbh é Cú … Read more
Ireland and slavery This year marks the bicentenary of the abolition of slavery in the British Empire of which Ireland was then part. Hence the particular emphasis on slavery in this issue. It was, however, a subordinate part, and many readers might shrug their shoulders and wonder what it has to do with us. Quite … Read more
Sir, —I refer to Kevin Haddick Flynn’s article on Seán South (HI 15.1,Jan./Feb. 2007). The claim in the final paragraph that there were‘4,000 full-time RUC men’ is inaccurate. The RUC itself never exceeded3,000 from 1922 until 1970. It is true that there were an additional1,500 Ulster Special Constabulary mobilised on a full-time basis, likethe full-time … Read more