In the Celtic world, as elsewhere, canines were admired for their senses of sight, smell and hearing. Dogs were used on hunting expeditions and to guard homes, as domestic pets and as a source of food. They abound in surviving mythology and folk tradition and are well represented in religion, where they are often associated … Read more
Child clerical sexual abuse, denial and cover-up Sir,—I read your editorial (HI 18.3, May/June 2010) with concern because it is upsetting to think of anyone who is usually positive expressing such despair at aspects of present-day life in Ireland. But I have to disagree with your suggestions regarding denial and cover-up of the sexual abuse … Read more
Sir, —Your edition of Jan./Feb. 2009 contained an interesting article by Risteárd Mulcahy on Leo Whelan’s painting GHQ staff, 1921. The caption identifies two of the people portrayed as Eamonn Price (organisation) and Eóin O’Duffy (assistant chief-of-staff). But were either of these men members of GHQ in the stated positions at the time of … Read more
Sir, —The photograph on the cover of a recently published book, The War for Ireland 1913–1923 (see also Bookworm), is credited inside thus: ‘This remarkable photograph, taken on 14 October 1920 by 15-year-old John J. Hogan, an apprentice photographer, is of British intelligence officer, Lt Gilbert Arthur Price RTR, only seconds before he was … Read more
Sir, —In the article ‘At O’Neill’s right hand: Flaithrí Ó Maolchonaire and the Red Hand of Ulster’ by Benjamin Hazard (HI 18.1, Jan./Feb. 2010), there is a sidebar discussing one of the traditional explanations for the Red Hand of Ulster, namely the story about a chieftain who, when his rival was leading in … Read more