1995 marks the 250th anniversary of the ‘45 which also coincides withthe quincentenary of the foundation of the University of Aberdeen.Organised in conjunction with the Thomas Reid institute, the collegeprovided the ideal location for a week-long conference in August onJacobitism and the Scottish Enlightenment. This unique gatheringbrought together many of the foremost authorities in the … Read more
To commemorate the seventy-fifth anniversary of the foundation of theGarda Síochána, a historical society has been established. Its firstnewsletter appeared in July 1995 and a winter lecture series is alreadyunderway. Hon. Secretary, Sgt. John Duffy is eager for all suggestionsand he hopes that the society will engage the attention of both servingand retired members of … Read more
No Taoiseach. No British prime minister. No armed security. No jostlinghordes of press. Not even one international jurist was presentyesterday to witness the decommissioning ceremony in a south Dublinhouse. There was just one weapon, bearing little resemblance to a late20th-century Armalite. ‘Destroyer’ read the inscription on the barrel.Wrapped in tissue and blue cardboard, the .32 … Read more
A plaque commemorating the founding of the United Irishmen was unveiledin Belfast’s Clifton Street cemetery on Saturday 7 October by DouglasGageby, former editor of the Irish Times and Patron of History Ireland,who said that the United Irishmen ‘were above all good people, bravepeople, people with aspirations for harmony among the people of thisisland’. The veil … Read more
Mel Gibson’s recently released film Braveheart, based rather loosely on the life of the Scots hero William Wallace, has engendered much debate and not a little criticism. It is a far from perfect production with many distortions of fact and some cringe-inducing historical gymnastics. In many cases these misconstructions were not necessary. We could have … Read more