Easter Rising and the Somme

ir,—Having read Mr McAlister’s reply (Letters, HI 23.4, July/Aug. 2015) with interest, I notice that he has not addressed the issues which I raised. Nowhere in my letter (HI 23.3, May/June 2015) was there a suggestion of a joint remembrance ceremony commemorating the 1916 Rising and the Battle of the Somme. I do, however, believe … Read more

Armenian genocide?

ir,—As a close student of the Near East, I would endorse Pat Walsh’s corrective (letters, HI 23.3, May/June 2015) on the use of the word ‘genocide’ with regard to the Christian Armenians. It raises issues with regard to their nationalism, some of which I learned from exiles in Cyprus. It makes for interesting comparisons with … Read more

‘Imaginative and enthusiastic’?

Sir,—I am delighted that Fionnula Smyth (Letters, HI 23.4, July/Aug. 2015) was pleased with my article on wartime Irish shipping in the preceding issue. She takes exception to my ‘imaginative and enthusiastic’ comments on the government’s actions in setting up Irish Shipping Ltd. She is also critical of the government for not having set up … Read more