Sir,—I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed your special issue on Brian Boru and the Battle of Clontarf (HI 22.2, March/April 2014). However, I am puzzled by the reference to the descendants of Cormac Cas as Dál Cais. As a proud member of that tribe I always knew it as Dál gCais, the reason being … Read more
Sir,—I have noticed belatedly the interesting article by John Gibney on Islandmagee in 1641 (HI 21.1, Jan./Feb. 2013). I am a direct descendant of Bryan McGee (1624–80), who, as the 1641 Depositions on-line show (http://www.1641.tcd.ie/), gave evidence at Lisnegarvey on 21 April 1653 regarding the murder of his family at Islandmagee on 8 January 1642. … Read more
The Military Service Pensions Collection originated in a decision of the Oireachtas, in June 1923, to compensate wounded members of the IRA, National Army, Irish Volunteers and Irish Citizen Army, amongst others, along with the dependants of deceased members of these organisations. The various Army Pensions Acts passed, 1923 to 1980, and the Military Service … Read more
An older generation of Keynesian economists—in Ireland Paddy Lynch comes to mind, and also James Meenan—usually studied a wide range of subjects, including history, before specialising in a particular field. Economics did not exist in isolation as an academic discipline; it was part of a broad spectrum of study that was seen as intricately interconnected. … Read more
The notes of a Cumann na mBan convention held in Dublin on 31 October 1915 record that: ‘A uniform was adopted and it was resolved that the use of the uniform be optional, but that none other be adopted by branches. It consists of a coat and skirt of Volunteer tweed and hat of same. … Read more