Was the War of Independence necessary?

Sir,—I would largely concur with D.R. O’Connor Lysaght’s analysis of Labour’s dilemma during the War of Independence (Letters, HI 27.2, March/April 2019) and with Martin Mansergh’s observation (Platform, ibid.) that ‘A lot of historical commentary has been too binary, pitching constitutionalism against armed action’. My main point (Platform, HI 27.1, Jan./Feb. 2019) was that other … Read more

Saint Patrick retold correction

Sir,—My thanks to Joe Culley (Bookworm, HI 27.2, March/April 2019) for the kind and thoughtful little review of my recent book, Saint Patrick retold. However, there is an error to which I must draw your attention. Nowhere in the book do I argue that ‘Patrick entered the clergy to avoid the inherited role of tax … Read more

‘Keeper of the Flame’

Sir,—Thank you for publishing my letter (HI 27.2, March/April 2019). As regards your comments on my letter and the article itself, I took your advice and re-read the article (‘Keeper of the Flame’ by Patrick Maume, HI 27.1, Jan./Feb. 2019), especially the section headed ‘Holocaust denial’. I can see from re-reading that, as you say … Read more

Markievicz in Mountjoy

Sir,—The caption on p. 37 of Ruairí Ó hAodha’s article on Mary Size (HI 27.2, March/April 2019) implies that Constance Markievicz was removed from Richmond Barracks directly to Aylesbury Prison in England. In fact, as the ‘Register of Convicts Sentenced to Penal Servitude’ (above/below) shows, she was held in Mountjoy Prison, Dublin, from 7 May … Read more

John Nicholson

Sir,—I read with interest Stuart Flinder’s sanitised life of John Nicholson (HI 27.1, Jan./Feb. 2019). I had already bought and read Mr Flinder’s book, Cult of a dark hero: Nicholson of Delhi (2018). I came across John Nicholson in Empire and sexuality by Ronald Hyam, in which he paints a picture of the ‘softer side’ … Read more