The first military intervention of the United States in World War I. By Daire Brunicardi On 4 May 1917 a flotilla of unusual vessels appeared off the Daunt lightship at the approaches to Cork Harbour. These were destroyers of the United States Navy; with their low profile and four stubby funnels, they were quite different … Read more
A startling discovery about Ernest Blythe (1889–1975), a central figure in the Irish revolution and early Free State, who re-emerged as managing director of the Abbey Theatre (1941–67) after his premature departure from parliamentary politics in 1936. By David Fitzpatrick Ernest Blythe was brought up near Lisburn, but only developed an active interest in the … Read more
After almost a century, readers of Ulysses are still learning about how and why James Joyce created one of the most complex and provocative Jewish characters in literature. By Vincent Altman O’Connor While Leopold Bloom is the most renowned Irish Jew of all time, it is generally accepted that the character was modelled on Joyce’s … Read more
Murlough, Co. Donegal By Jon Sass Near the summit of Croaghan Hill, Murlough, Co. Donegal, are the remains of possibly the most advanced windmill in Ireland. It was built in 1874 by John Sanderson (1819–1901) of Louth, Lincolnshire, for Charles Robinson (d. 1906), farmer, who leased a farmstead and 118 acres from the earl of … Read more
Richard Lovell Edgeworth, born at Bath, Somerset, in 1744, died at Edgeworthstown, Co. Longford, 200 years ago. By Tony Lyons The Edgeworths settled in Ireland in the mid-1580s during the reign of Elizabeth I, having come from Edgeware near London. Their principal Irish seat was in County Longford. Over subsequent years the family’s fortunes ebbed … Read more