A journeyman sea captain made exceptional picture-charts of Irish harbours almost 400 years ago. By Arnold Horner A little-noticed survey of many of Ireland’s harbours, made in the 1630s, offers some unique views of Dublin (p. 27) and other harbours at the time when Thomas Wentworth, earl of Strafford, ruled as the king’s deputy. … Read more
A new calendar of documents, commissioned by the Irish Jesuits for the bicentenary of the order’s restoration in 1814. By Vera Moynes An anti-clerical edict proclaimed by the president and council of Munster on 18 August 1604 contained the following description: ‘[the] Jesuittes, Seminaries and massinge priestes have bene … so much harkned unto and … Read more
SEPTEMBER 03 Mon 7.30pm Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, 63 Merrion Sq. S. Music, dancing and country house culture in mid-nineteenth century Ireland, Dr Mullaney-Dignam. 11 Tues 8pm Skerries Historical Society, Keane’s Bus Bar. The sinking of the RMS Leinster, October 1918, Niall O’Reilly. 12 Wed 6pm Old Dublin Society, Dublin City Library & … Read more
The object that became a museum. By Jim Kelleher This 90-ton diving-bell, built in 1866 in Drogheda, was designed by Bindon Blood Stoney, who was a port engineer from 1856 to 1898. A diving-bell is open at the bottom and allows six workmen to descend down a funnel through an airlock to work … Read more
By Joseph E.A. Connell Jr In 1895 the City of Dublin Steam Packet Company ordered four steamers for Royal Mail service, named for the four provinces of Ireland: RMS Leinster, Munster, Connaught and Ulster. These four were commonly referred to as ‘the provinces’. The Leinster was a 2,640-ton packet steamship with a service speed of … Read more