Browsing Category
Irish History
Communist Days | The conflicting politics of Brendan Behan
Brendan Behan entered the world's stage on the 9th of February 1923. As the Irish Civil War was raging Behan was born in the heart of Dublin city to a family steeped in the Irish Republican tradition. Being born into a staunch family of…
Citizen Train | The Story of America’s Strangest Entrepreneur
George Francis Train was born in Boston in 1829, but by the age of 4 he had lost his parents and siblings to yellow fever. So, he was brought up by his grandparents who had hoped their grandchild would become a Methodist minister. Instead,…
The Royals’ Rebel Neighbour | Countess Markievicz’s childhood
This year marks the centenary of a great turning point in social history. After several decades of suffrage struggle, The Qualification Act of 1918 permitted women (over the age of 30) to vote and stand as candidates in elections. In the…
The Ploughman and his Poem | Patrick Kavanagh’s ‘Raglan Road’
Fifty years ago, Patrick Kavanagh died on the 30th of November 1967. He was known to be a cantankerous auld codger but from his pen flowed some warmth in the form of his poetry, and one of his most famous pieces can be found on the pantheon…
The Tipp Train to Croker | Croke Park Bloody Sunday, 1920
November 1920 was a bleak and bloody time in Irish history. Kevin Barry was hanged in Mountjoy, Tom Barry led his West Cork flying column at the Kilmichael Ambush, the town of Tralee was sacked by auxiliaries and the playing field at Croke…
Two Wheeled Freedom Fighter | Thomas Ashe and his Hudson Motorcycle
In September 1917 Thomas Ashe was sent to Mountjoy after making a so called seditious speech. For this 'crime' Ashe ended up behind bars by the Royal Canal and denied political prisoner status. He began a hunger strike but just five days…
Roger Casement, British Knight and Irish Martyr
Roger Casement was born in Dublin in 1864. His father, Captain Roger Casement, was a Belfast-born soldier who had served in India and fought in the bloody war for Afghanistan in 1842. Young Roger was raised on his father’s tales of travel,…
The Butterfly With Lightning Fists | Pete McCoy, Listowel’s Prize Fighter
Pete McCoy was born in Listowel on the 15th of October, 1856. From there he went across the broad Atlantic where he carved out a career for himself as a prize fighter.
McCoy stood at 5' 10'' and had a right hand punch that some opponents…
Holding the Water Hostage | The Drunken Rampages of Lord Santry
Water in Ireland has been a highly contentious issue over the past few years. Threats of court summonses and even jail time blighted those who refused to bow to water charges but, in Georgian Dublin water was used to get one person out of…
Punch-up in a Civil War | Mike McTigue versus the Battling Siki
The county of Clare has produced many fine sportspeople over the years including a World Light Heavyweight champion in the form of Mike McTigue. The Kilnamona native won his world title in an incredible bout against an opponent from Senegal…