Alcock and Brown The Irish War of Independence had commenced, although it had not reached its most dangerous phase, when two men, Alcock and Brown landed in Ireland from the skies making history in the process. What was so historic about what they achieved? Well it was a significant moment in aviation history and the British aviators John Alcock and Arthur Whitten Brown made the first non-stop transatlantic flight. They ...
Ernie O’Malley It is a somewhat ‘grainy’ photograph from the front cover of the Irish Press newspaper in March 1957 but it tells a lot about the respect in which the man was held. O’Maley was one of the most important and enduring figures of the Irish revolution and the same newspapers coverage of his death provides an interesting outline of his life (although later records probably superseded what was published...
Frank Ryan How long does it take for an obituary to appear in a newspaper? For Frank Ryan of Spanish Civil War fame, the answer is several months. In March 1845 as the second world war drew to a close, Ryan’s death was reported in Irish newspapers having occurred more than eight months previously in war time Germany. Ryan is best remembered for leading the Irish brigade in the Spanish Civil War on the Popular Front side, ...
The battle to save Wood Quay Back in the late 1970s the battle to save Wood Quay led to a major debate in Ireland into how we treat our culture and heritage. The controversy stemmed from the planned construction of Dublin City Council's civic offices on a four-acre site that was home to a significant Viking settlement. Despite the public's strong opposition and some legal victories, the development ultimately proc...
Prince Rainier and Princess Grace, 1961 Sixty-four years ago this month Ireland was bracing itself for the state visit of Prince Rainier and Princess Grace on June 10. The visit captured the public imagination and was a well documented affair. Throughout her stay the Princess was a huge attraction and much attention was paid to how she dressed. Even in the weeks leading up to the visit it was constantly reported in Irish...
Queen at Slane Castle We would love to know…were you there. Did you see ‘Queen’ at Slane Castle in 1986? It was one of the artistic highlights from Ireland in the 1980s as Freddie and co ‘rocked’ the county Meath village. The Nenagh Guardian report here from May 19686 announcing the gig gives a sense of the excitement in the country: This year's Slane Castle concert will take place on Saturday 5th Jul...
Donagh O’Malley The Leaving and Junior Certificate State Exams commence next Wednesday, 4th June and today thousands of students across the country are making last minute preparations and ‘cramming’ every nugget of information into the head. How many of them will be aware of the name Donagh O’Malley? Hard to believe but just under sixty years ago landmark legislation brought about by O’Malley change the face o...
Bridget Redmond Each General Election in Ireland brings on debate about the involvement of women in politics and indeed today there are quotas regarding the selection process of election candidates. The 33rd Dail for example had just under 23?male representation. So it comes as no surprise then in the first fifty years or so of the Dail after Irish independence female representation was quite small. Indeed from 19...
The Irish language There is definitely an upsurge in the number of people wishing to learn and speak Irish, while it is frequently in the news of late for a variety of reasons! Back in 1912, the Irish language newspaper, An Claidheamh Soluis (the sword of Light) and organ of the Gaelic League reported on efforts being made throughout the country to promote the speaking of Irish: The Greeneastle Gaedhealtacht… Mrs. ...
Thomas McLaughlin In the summer of 1925 one of the most important building projects in Ireland in the 20th century commenced- the construction of the Shannon Hydro-Electric Scheme. The scheme was the beginning of the electrification of the country and led to the establishment of the Electricity Supply Board (ESB). The Shannon Scheme was one of the largest civil engineering projects of its type in the world at the time it ...