Mother Jones, ‘the most dangerous woman in America’

Mary Harris was born in Cork in 1837 and baptised in the North Cathedral on 1 August 1837. (The baptismal font remains in use at the famous ‘North Chapel’ today.) […]

Achievers celebrated— 30 years of the Ulster History Circle

In the early 1980s, James Hawthorne recognised that there was no collective way to celebrate the achievements of people who had made a significant contribution to Ulster’s heritage. His inspiration […]

GUBU, Gregory and ‘cosmic cover-ups’

Ireland and Apartheid South Africa Apartheid South Africa was in the news in relation to a tour of South Africa by a representative team of British, French and Irish players. […]

Taking Liberties: what happened?

I’m looking at my beaten-up copy of The Liberties of Dublin when Eddie Kelly’s photo from the book launchparty drops out. It’s stamped ‘Irish Times, June 16th, 1973’. We’re sitting on […]

A Drogheda harp: instrument and icon

Harps have been associated with Ireland since ancient times, when harpers were the musicians maintained by chiefs and kings. In the 1500s the harp became the symbol of Ireland itself […]