New evidence of early matches has necessitated a reappraisal of Irish soccer’s foundation story. By Martin Moore According to its foundation myth, association football was introduced into Ireland on 24 October 1878, when John McAlery organised an exhibition match in Belfast between two Scottish teams, Caledonian and the famous Queen’s Park. McAlery, known as the … Read more
John Nicholson—the Irishman who became a god. By Stuart Flinders Question: What had the duke of Wellington, the writer Brendan Behan and the explorer Shackleton in common? Answer: Their portraits all appeared at an exhibition of ‘great Irishmen’ in 1965. You can imagine the arguments amongst visitors to the event in Belfast about who deserved … Read more
58 South William Street, Dublin 2 The City Assembly House was the first purpose-built art gallery in Great Britain and Ireland. The Society of Artists in Ireland was established expressly to promote the work of Irish artists and to provide an academy for the arts. Following the success of the first exhibition, held in rented … Read more
A great discovery that has been plagued by controversy for two centuries. By Michael Smith The dark scudding clouds and misty haze parted briefly in the late afternoon to reveal the wondrous sight of an icy landscape never seen by human eyes before that moment. It was 30 January 1820 and Edward Bransfield, an accomplished … Read more
By Joseph E.A. Connell On 21 January 1919 the First Dáil met in the Mansion House’s Round Room. At 3.30pm Count Plunkett called the meeting to order and nominated Cathal Brugha as Ceann Comhairle (speaker/chairperson). Padraig Ó Maille seconded this. Brugha presided thereafter and, following the reading of the Declaration of Independence, he told the … Read more