The first meeting to discuss the foundation of Cumann na mBan was held on 25 November 1913, the same night as the first meeting of the Volunteers. Its first ‘official’ meeting was in Wynn’s Hotel on 2 April 1914. Agnes O’Farrelly was its first president and Mary Colum was one of its first organisers. The … Read more
Across 1 William ‘Guillermo’ ———, Cork-born scientist who helped establish Spain’s Natural History Museum (6). 5 Reverend Nicholas ———, appointed Professor of Natural Philosophy at Maynooth in 1826 and credited with the invention of the induction coil (6). 10 Sultan Selim I dramatically expanded the eastern and southern frontiers of this empire (7). 11 Name … Read more
Coercive confinement in Ireland: patients, prisoners and penitents Eoin O’Sullivan and Ian O’Donnell (Manchester University Press, £65) ISBN 9780719086489 Coercive confinement in Ireland puts the spotlight on the wide range of institutions used by independent Ireland to confine ordinary criminals and those who flouted the moral codes of the period, along with children and … Read more
Dublin Fire Brigade and the Irish Revolution Las Fallon (South Dublin Libraries, €7.50) ISBN 9780956580481 Dublin Fire Brigade (DFB) has a pivotal if unsung role in the history of the Troubles, 1916–23, and as the individual responsible for destroying one of the last artefacts from that time, I feel that I am particularly well … Read more
The Book of Kells Bernard Meehan (Thames and Hudson, €60) ISBN 9780500238943 The codex of the four Gospels, translated into Latin, in Trinity College, Dublin, known since at least 1621 as ‘the Book of Kells’ (a detail we learn on p. 24 of this book), is no ordinary manuscript! It is viewed, indeed treasured, … Read more