By Fiona Fitzsimons The Anglo-Normans introduced grand juries into Ireland to provide local government in the shired counties. The high sheriff of each county nominated 23 men to the grand jury—as distinct from the ‘petty’ trial jury of twelve—from the largest landowners, excluding peers. Their original role was judicial, deciding on whether cases should proceed … Read more
By Fiona Fitzsimons In the seventeenth century Ireland, not America, was the land of opportunity. There were more English settlers in Ireland, and more money to be made here, than in the American colonies, which were too distant, with little economic development. The other side of this particular coin was that those dispossessed by conquest … Read more
By Fiona Fitzsimons Founded in 1731 as a philanthropic organisation and members’ club, the Dublin Society was established to stimulate economic activity in Ireland. In 1738 it introduced a grant scheme funded by its own members. The first premiums were awarded in 1740 and continued annually. In 1761 the Irish parliament granted the Society £12,000 … Read more
By Fiona Fitzsimons The Famine years saw a substantial increase in the number of unaccompanied children in Irish workhouses. The consequent crisis in childcare prompted a public debate over whether Poor Law children should be raised in an institutional or a family setting. Although boarding out delivered better outcomes for children, it was never widely … Read more
By Fiona Fitzsimons The Anglo-Norman invasion introduced novel social and cultural practices into Ireland, including heraldry. In eleventh-century Europe, coats of arms developed out of military practice. Knights had to be able to distinguish friend from foe on the battlefield and in tournaments. The use of armorial bearings signalled the bearer’s status and nobility. Heraldic … Read more