Sir,—Recent discussions about the role of the RIC in the War of Independence have often failed to take in both the local and the broader context, especially the north–south dimension. This can be seen clearly in the case of the murder of Tomás MacCurtain, lord mayor of Cork, at the hands of police on 20 … Read more
Sir,—Dr Jenny Farrell takes issue with me (HI 27.6, Nov./Dec. 2019, letters) for ascribing to Liam O’Flaherty ‘disillusionment’ with the Soviet Union, referring to his 1931 book I went to Russia (HI 27.5, Sept./Oct. 2019, ‘The Radical Club, a 1920s forum for “progressive cultural activity”’). In fact, I said only that he wrote a ‘disillusioned account’ … Read more
Sir,—I was pleased to see a review of the centenary edition of my book in the last issue (HI 28.1, Jan./Feb. 2020). However, my pleasure was diminished by two errors of fact that may have influenced the reviewer’s approach. Referring to the role of the IRB, the reviewer states: ‘The only definite evidence that its leadership … Read more
Sir,—I have just read Pádraig Óg Ó Ruairc’s article (HI 28.1, Jan./Feb. 2020, Platform) about the emergence of the alt-right brigade and wish to thank him for so eloquently and forcefully debunking the narrow definition of ‘Irishness’ which they espouse. I am Irish by choice as well as by accident of birth. As the son of … Read more
His assassination was ‘unmistakably the first blow in a methodical campaign of terrorism’. By Neville O’Connell On Monday 23 June 1919 the first horse-race meeting in three years took place on the outskirts of Thurles town. The organisers had advertised it throughout the country in an effort to make it an overwhelming success. Thousands were … Read more