From sewing needles to ammunition shells

The story of Florence Lea (right), who wore this ‘On War Service’ badge (above right), is typical of the experiences of female munitions workers in Ireland during World War I. […]

Let sleeping dogs lie

Buried in the small print of the recent budget was an announcement that the government intends to merge the National Library (NLI), the National Archives (NAI) and the Irish Manuscripts […]

‘Across the hawthorn hedge the noise of bugles’

The maritime town of Carrickfergus, Co. Antrim, has experienced several eras of military history since its foundation in medieval times. By the mid-Victorian period it was a significant barracks town, […]

‘When the blood was bubbling in my veins’

Election campaigns are usually opportunities for cynical self-promotion rather than self-reflection. But when standing for election to parliament in 1828, Daniel O’Connell chose to make an honest confession about his […]

From the files of the DIB…Accidental nationalist hero

O’Brien, Ignatius John, Baron Shandon (1857–1930), lord chancellor of Ireland, was born on 31 July 1857 in Cork, ninth child and youngest son of Mark Joseph O’Brien (chandler and brewer’s […]