The late Henry Mountcharles The death of Henry Mountcharles today, aged 74 today rekindles memories of both election bids and the hosting of several international musicians at concerts at Slane Castle since the 1980s. Mountcharles has been described today by the President of Ireland as holding a unique place in the live music scene in the country. The success of Slane Castle as a music venue and now as a major tourist at...

The Great Leviathan Have you heard of the Great Leviathan of Birr? Well in the middle of the 19th century Birr in county Offaly was at the centre of world science and astronomy. Why? Because the inventor of the then largest telescope in the world was William Parsons, third earl of Rosse. He was born on this day, 225 years ago! This feat was celebrated 50 years ago on television as the Irish Examiner newspaper records: ...

James Joyce Bloomsday is a commemoration and celebration of the life of Irish writer James Joyce, observed annually in Dublin and elsewhere on 16 June. It marks the day in which Joyce’s legendary Ulysses was set in 1904. However, have you ever heard of how Joyce died in Switzerland during war time Europe? His death and burial in Zurich was attended by view and barely reported on in Irish newspapers. Here some examples fro...

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’Malley 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the same newspapers coverage of his death provides an interesting outline of his life (although later records probably superseded what was publishe...

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...