Earlier this year I wrote about Irish involvement in the First World War and how, although the numbers of Irish involved are still contested, official estimates currently stand at 210,000 mobilised and 49,300 dead. There is another war in which Irish soldiers fought and died in similar numbers but which is forgotten by official Ireland: … Read more
Peter Edmund Lacy/Pyotr Petrovich Lasci (1678–1751) of Killeedy, Co. Limerick, was the son of Pierce Edmund de Lacy of Ballingarry and his wife Maria (née Courtney). He joined the regiment of his uncle, Colonel John Lacy, as an ensign in the Prince of Wales’ Regiment of Irish Foot at the beginning of the Jacobite/Williamite War … Read more
Sir,—As a footnote to John Gibney’s excellent review of RTÉ’s The Torture Files (HI 22.5, Sept./Oct. 2014), may I remind your readers that a great Englishman raised his voice vigorously denouncing the so-called ‘clean torture’ practised in Northern Ireland after the introduction of internment. It was none other than Graham Greene who poured scorn on … Read more
Sir,—I feel I must respond to Oliver Eagleton’s ‘Platform’ piece, ‘Is Leaving Cert History fit for purpose?’ (HI 22.5, Sept./Oct. 2014). I hold an MA and a Ph.D and have taught History for a number of years, and have also examined the subject at Leaving Cert level. The article makes reference to sources which disprove … Read more
Sir,—Michael Carragher’s letter (HI 22.5, Sept./Oct. 2014) puzzles this writer as much as your editorial in the previous issue puzzled him. His arguments seem to be drawn from the assertions of the popular British histories post-1918. For him, Carson’s and Redmond’s role was merely to advocate ‘enlistment to fight their country’s enemy’. This can be … Read more