BY AODHÁN CREALEY NOVEMBER 10/1939 Charlotte Despard, née French (95), suffragette, socialist and philanthropist, died when she fell down the stairs in her home in Whitehead, Co. Antrim. Considering that they were polar opposites on the political spectrum, it is remarkable how Madame Despard, as she was popularly known, remained on close terms with her … Read more
By Donal Fallon The Irish Newspaper Archives has been a vital service for those researching the past for many years now, providing more than 300 years of archive publications on-line. Until now, these publications have consisted largely of national titles like the Freeman’s Journal, Irish Press and Irish Independent, as well as regional publications such … Read more
The disestablishment of the Church of Ireland 150 years ago (‘in the nick of time’, according to Kenneth Milne, pp 24–7) was a triumph of British statecraft in Ireland. Prime Minister Gladstone had not only prepared the ground across a broad spectrum of UK public opinion by making it a major plank in his general … Read more
September 02 Mon 7.30pm Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, 63 Merrion Square South, Dublin 2. Undimmed by the shadow of Rome? Ireland in a European world (100 BC–AD 500), Alexandra Guglielmi. 09 Mon 6.30pm Rathmines Library, Dublin 6 (rathmineslibrary@dublincity.ie, 01-497 3539). First Dáil and first shots, Maeve Casserly. 10 Tues 8pm Genealogical Society of … Read more
By Lar Joye This September marks the 80th anniversary of the start of the Second World War and the passing of the Emergency Powers Act 1939 by Dáil Éireann. Between 1939 and 1945 Ireland remained neutral, although many Irish men and women joined the British Army. The Irish Army expanded to several times its pre-war … Read more