By Bernadette Cunningham Who is the most famous person in Irish history? We all know about ‘lies, damned lies and statistics’, so how can we compare the renown of various historical personalities from the Irish past? What biases will affect any attempt to rank historical personalities by reputation or popularity? What if a database designed … Read more
BY TONY CANAVAN Where and when did the War of Independence start? At Soloheadbeg, Co. Tipperary, 1919, I hear you say. Well, in Donegal they recently commemorated what they claim was the first action of the War of Independence. On 4 January 1918, an RIC party was bringing two republican prisoners from Kincasslagh to court … Read more
BY AODHAN CREALEY MARCH 03/1947 Carol Reed’s film noir Odd Man Out, set in post-war Belfast with James Mason in the title role, opened in the city’s Classic cinema, off Royal Avenue. A large number of RUC men, in uniform and in plain clothes, were on duty outside, partly because Inspector General (Chief Constable) Sir … Read more
Bridge over the River Tolka to be named after one of the ‘Forgotten Ten’. By Seán Ryan The recent decision by Dublin City Council to name the bridge over the Tolka in the north Dublin suburb of Drumcondra after Frank Flood is to be welcomed. Flood was executed by the British authorities for his part … Read more