irish free state

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…

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…

In the aftermath of the 1916 Rising there was an incident which left an impact on the imprisoned rebels, most notably a young Michael Collins. When the week long insurrection ended, the rebels who had fought in the Four Courts and the…

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…

The first Olympic medal won by the Irish Free State was a silver medal in 1924, awarded Jack Butler Yeats for his 1923 painting The Liffey Swim. That may seem surprising today, however between 1912 and 1948 the arts took pride of place…