Sir,—Why, after two decades of often acrimonious debate, do the late Peter Hart’s findings on sectarianism in the Irish revolution continue to intrigue, vex or perplex so many history buffs? Each attempt to settle the issue so far has raised more problems than it has solved. Andy Bielenberg’s ‘Platform’ article (HI 25.5, Sept./Oct. 2017) asserts … Read more
Sir,—Following your publication of an article by me relating to Arthur Griffith (HI 24.4, May/June 2016), I have been sent the attached undated photograph of Griffith, which gives no location or names. Suggestions are welcome at colum.kenny@dcu.ie. Looking at the photo, I believe that the third person from the left is Seán Milroy and the … Read more
Sir,—John Donoghue’s article (‘The curse of Cromwell: revisiting the Irish slavery debate’, HI 25.4, July/August 2017) includes misquoted and misleadingly contextualised source material relating to William Petty, architect of the Down Survey. The block quotation on pp 26–7 splices material excerpted from works printed 30 years apart, incorrectly implying that the quotation occurred as a … Read more
In the September/October 2017 edition of History Ireland I published a letter from Mr Mike McCormack of the Ancient Order of Hibernians in America headed ‘The Irish and slavery’. Mr McCormack’s letter took issue with an earlier article by John Donoghue but also made personal reference to Mr Liam Hogan, who co-authored an article published … Read more