The release of many British Army service records for the 1914–20 period on the internet courtesy of the UK’s National Archives has made available the file of one Thomas Bernard Barry of Roscarberry, Co. Cork. The file is part of the ‘Burnt Documents’ series and accordingly has suffered some fire damage as a result of … Read more
For the first time since Parnell—and in less upsetting circumstances for Ireland—the story of Edward and Mrs Simpson gave Irish people the chance to discuss marriage and divorce openly. Eileen Clare, a Wexford girl sent to a convent boarding-school in England, remembers the fascination with the romance among the Irish nuns. When she returned home … Read more
The month of July is named after Caius Julius Caesar—‘husband to every man’s wife, and wife to every woman’s husband’. But in Northern Ireland July is unquestionably the month of King Billy. The first half is taken up annually with the various events surrounding the commemoration of William’s victory in 1690 over his uncle and … Read more
The struggle over Cromwell’s legacy came to a head in the 1890s with the plans to erect a statue on the grounds of the British parliament at Westminster. The governing Liberal Party strongly supported the proposal in the hope of consolidating the nonconformingfe in England and by all accounts detested the place. Neither man could … Read more
In 1997, shortly after the Labour Party’s victory in the British general election, the newly appointed foreign secretary, Robin Cook, received a courtesy visit from Bertie Ahern. The taoiseach entered Cook’s office but immediately walked out again on seeing a painting of Oliver Cromwell in the room. He refused to return until somebody removed the … Read more