Sir,—In relationto the letters from Micheál Mac Donncha and Nicholas Furlong (HI 17.5, Sept./Oct. 2009) challenging JoostAugusteijn’s statement in his letter (HI 17.4, July/Aug. 2009) that ‘The Sinn Féin electionmanifesto [in the 1918 general election], did not call for a republic, nor didit make it clear that force was going to be used’, I would like to … Read more
Á chairde, —I am a young historian at the University of Vienna researching ‘Cumann na mBan in the Provisional Republican Movement 1969–1986’. Could any readers who have material about Cumann na mBan from this time period please contact me? The role of Cumann na mBan during this period is sadly missing from the history books. … Read more
A chara, —For over 40 years I have been dealing in antiques, collectables or just pure honest-to-God bric-a-brac. The subject of heritage, repatriation or just moving old objects from one area or country to another has always both fascinated and haunted me. A letter (HI 17.4, July/Aug. 2009) on the Akwiten Canoe and the Book … Read more
Sir, —Your editorial ‘Ireland’s fascist real McCoy’ (HI 17.5, Sept./Oct.2009) points to the emergence of extremism here in the 1940s. Whatmight seem to some a tad odd, however, is your emphasis upon the Irishtradition not of constitutional but of parliamentary democracy. Thusthere is no mention of either Bunreacht na hÉireann or of the earlierConstitution of … Read more
We in Ireland have always prided ourselves on the robustness anddurability of our democratic institutions. Of all the European statesthat gained independence in the twentieth century ours is the only oneto have maintained an unbroken tradition of parliamentary democracy.(HI 17.5, Sept./Oct. 2009, editorial) Really? Because of a deep and well-rounded ignorance of history Icannot contest … Read more