From Newspapers to Netflix Written by the makers of the hit show ‘Peaky Blinders’, this Thursday 25th September the eight-episode series, House of Guinness will start on Netflix. beginning in the aftermath of Sir Benjamin Guinness's death in 1868, the series explores how it shaped the lives of his four children – Anne, Arthur, Benjamin, and Edward – and the legacy of Guinness itself. It may well be fictionalize...
The murder of Lord Mountmorres, 1880 The murder of Viscount Mountmorres, William Browne de Montmorency, on 25 September 1880, during the Land War, caused a sensation in Ireland and despite the best efforts of police, no person was ever charged with the crime. The Land War, which commenced in 1879, pitted struggling tenant farmers against landlords who demanded rents be paid despite the hardships of the time and the depres...
Sonia O’Sullivan It might not feel that long ago but it is a quarter of a century this week since Sonia O'Sullivan wins a silver medal in the 5,000 meters at the Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. Her silver medal win was watched by thousands of Irish men, women and children who had long hoped for victory for the proud county Cork woman. IT was a remarkable moment for her as she bounced back from the disappointment o...
Asenath Nicholson American visitors to Ireland in the 19th and early 20th century frequently made headlines, but perhaps none more so than Asenath Nicholson who visited Ireland on the eve of the Great Famine traversing the country in the process. Her account of life in Ireland provides a real-life glimpse of the condition of the poor. In 1974 the Irish Examiner retold that story: WHAT an extraordinary sight Mrs. Asenath...
President Patrick Hillery With the Irish Presidential election race in full swing, and three candidates already in the field, there are a number of key issues which the electors will put to the would be presidents as they tour the country. Housing, climate and international relations are amongst the top items, as is the question of what each of the candidates might bring to the role. Back in 1976 Patrick Hillery was elected...
National Ploughing Championships The National Ploughing Championships began today 16 September, the first of three days at the site at Mucklagh, outside Tullamore. It is the second time the event has been held there, and huge crowds are expected to attend despite the inclement weather predicted. Of course, there is much focus on presidential candidates and their attendance at the championships which has come a long way sinc...
Margaret Burke Sheridan: Maggie from Mayo Ireland of course has produced its fair share of international heroes, heroines and superstars over the years from sport, music, politics and in many walks of life. From this tiny island we have constantly our men and women have constantly gone to new heights. Some are more well know than others and perhaps Margeret Burke Sheridan fits into the latter. An international singing sensa...
Born in a stable 'Being born in a stable does not make one a horse'. This comment about the duke of Wellington, the hero at the Battle of Waterloo, was widely attributed to him, but in fact it was probably uttered by Daniel O’Connell. This year marks the 250th anniversary of the birth of O’Connell, and today, 14th September marks the 173th of the death of Wellington, the revered general. In the Irish Press on 1...
Freeman’s Journal Today, 10 September marks the 262th anniversary of Freeman’s Journal newspaper. Although the INA holds a number of newspapers from the 1700s, the Freeman’s Journal is the oldest, commencing in 1763. Founded by Charles Lucas, the Freeman’s remained in circulation until 1924 and for much of the 19th century was easily the largest selling newspaper, only challenged by the Nation on occasions. ...
Potato Blight appears- 180 years ago this month The Irish Newspaper Archive contains millions of newspaper articles, reports, advertisements etc but few had the impact that this piece in the Cork (later Irish) Examiner on 10 September 1845. 180 years ago this month the first signs of potato blight were reported in Ireland. It would lead to devastating consequences. Within six years one million people were dead and another o...