The battle of Trafalgar in 1805, in which Nelson defeated a combined French and Spanish fleet, was considered an astonishin Continue reading
Filed under Irish history …
Socialist Countess
Meg McNena’s new play about Constance Markievicz constitutes an epic story of women’s engagement in politics. Continue reading
The Report on the Mother and Child Homes
In the culture of the time, the father, considered the boss of the household in a patriarchal society, felt compelled to do his duty by barring his umarried pregnant daughter from living with the family. Considerations of familial love wilted when faced with the condemnation of neighbors, community and church. Continue reading
Jonathan Swift: On the Road to Ireland
Clive Probyn reads the Holyhead journal of 1727 as a turning point in his life. Continue reading
The Importance of the Gaelic Revival
Their literature, their games, their religion and certainly their language existed at a higher level than anything the locals had to offer. Continue reading
Poetry by Michael Boyle
The only 1916 rebel to be given a state funeral Continue reading
A literary Laureate writes
If you ever wondered why Anne Enright was chosen as first Laureate for Irish Fiction, this book will explain. Continue reading
A word for the Brothers
Their schools were known for their tough discipline, but they deserve the country’s thanks. Continue reading
Eliza McCready: A ‘Belfast Girl’ sent to Moreton Bay
She wasn’t simply an obscure name on a family tree. Her name appeared in the archives, documents from which I could determine meaning. Continue reading
About my Belfast Girls
Jaki McCarrick talks about the writing, at ‘white heat’, of her play, ‘Belfast Girls’. Continue reading
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