Sir,—Volunteers James and Timothy Coffey were from Breaghna, Enniskeane, Co. Cork, the eldest boys in the family of eight of farming parents James and Margaret Coffey. In the early hours of Monday 14 February 1921, the soldiers of the Essex Regiment and Black and Tans were escorted by two masked civilians, who were members of … Read more
Sir,—In his review of Terror in Ireland (HI 20.3, May/June 2012) Pádraig Óg Ó Ruairc maintains that my chapter about the Kilmichael ambush failed to address the ‘wider debate about historiography’ and the ‘serious questions regarding Hart’s methodology, and in particular his claim to have interviewed an unnamed Kilmichael veteran at a time when all … Read more
Sir,—Any reader not yet stupefied by recent exchanges on the late Peter Hart’s academic integrity is invited to consult my detailed and footnoted riposte to John Regan’s charges in a forthcoming issue of History. His latest contribution to History Ireland restates familiar accusations without offering fresh evidence. One specific challenge should, however, be declined forthwith. … Read more
Sir,—Des Bell and Fearghal McGarry complain (HI 20.3, May/June 2012) that ‘before the first scene of The Enigma of Ryan had been shot, our film had been denounced by an Irish Democrat article headlined “Film to slander Frank Ryan as Nazi collaborator”’. They do not name the author of the offending article and are being … Read more
Sir,—Re the ongoing debate on ‘ethnic cleansing’ (Letters, HI 20.3, May/June 2012). In his great welcome-home poem to Daniel O’Connell after the Clare election in 1828, the South Kerry poet Tomás Ruadh Ó Suilleabháin looked forward to Catholic supremacy with the arrival of Emancipation. He warns Protestants that O’Connell will be on their track ‘go … Read more