Sir,—As chairman of the Knockraha History and Heritage Society, I read with horror Gerard Murphy’s The year of disappearances: political killings in Cork 1920–1922 (reviewed in HI 19.1, Jan./Feb. 2011), which seeks to demonise the late Martin Corry TD for his role in the fight for Irish freedom. The author quotes my writings as a … Read more
Sir,—Your valuable article by David O’Donoghue on the IRA and the Nazis in the last issue (HI 19.2, March/April 2011, pp 36–9) prompts me to submit a photograph taken at one particular burial ceremony in Wexford on 11 June 1941. While official photos were taken for Irish Army intelligence by a Kodak representative, an audacious … Read more
Sir,—While reading your excellent Jan./Feb. 2011 (HI 19.2) issue, I was surprised that your caption for the photograph of Thomas J. Kiernan, Delia Murphy and their two children on p. 48 lacked the name of the tall bishop in the centre of the smiling family, and indeed suggested that the image illustrated the wartime work … Read more
Sir,—In response to the news item on the national flag and the city of Waterford (HI, March/April 2011), the following account might be of interest. In a letter written aboard HMS Lucifer at Waterford on 19 July 1845, to Rear Admiral Sir Hugh Pigot at Cove, her captain, Commander George Alexander Frazier, reported that … Read more
Sir,—As usual, I settled down in an armchair this evening to read the latest edition of History Ireland, always eagerly absorbed and a credit to the team. Alas, I think we are going to need a Hedge School on Irish railways, in which I confess to having more than a passing interest. My good friend … Read more