If, before the death of Bobby Sands in 1981, there was a name most likely to survive in the popular memory of ‘the Troubles’—to join the ranks of Kevin Barry and Seán South—it was ‘Big Joe’ McCann. There were a number of reasons. First, the local legend that flourished after he was gunned down on … Read more
The potential for harnessing power on the River Shannon had long been recognised, with plans dating back to an 1844 report published by Sir Robert Kane (1809–90), a Dublin-born chemist. A later proposal, known as ‘Frazer’s Scheme’, was inspired by similar work at Niagara Falls and was endorsed under the Shannon Water and Electric Power … Read more
The relationship between church and state went to the heart of Irish politics and society for much of the twentieth century and is obviously of central relevance to the history of Irish sexuality. But the hierarchy was not always strident or, on the surface, demanding. What is most striking is the extent to which politicians … Read more
The National Museum of Ireland’s permanent exhibition Soldiers and Chiefs: The Irish at War at Home and Abroad from 1550 has a large collection of loans from museums around the world. These include items belonging to Major General Patrick Cleburne (1828–64) and the 10th Tennessee Infantry Regiment (Irish) of the Confederate Army, on loan from … Read more
From its inception the story of Irish canals was laden with tragedy. Men close to starvation laboured for a few pence a day to dig them, and barge masters sailed fully armed against a backdrop of simmering hostility. Guinness was the major customer of the Grand Canal Company (GCC). In the 1800s they undercut local … Read more