‘As a people we should be proud and celebrate that Harry Boland, his siblings and others of that generation took such a powerful stand for Irish freedom.’ The full text of my graveside oration spoken at the Republican Plot in Glasnevin cemetery on 1 August 2022, marking the centenary of…

A talk I gave in December 2021 as part of the Dublin Festival of History   For over half a century, the statue of IRA Chief-of-Staff Seán Russell in Fairview Park has been both a flashpoint of controversy and site of devoted Irish republican pilgrimage. But who was this key…

A talk I gave for Terence MacSwiney, Cork Men’s Gaol, and the Political Hunger Strike, 1920-2020 Conference   ‘Tell my people I want to be buried with Fitzgerald of Fermoy’: The impact of Michael Fitzgerald’s martyrdom on Liam Lynch (starts at approx 58mins in).…

An online talk I gave for Áras Uí Chonghaile in October 2021 about Michael Fitzgerald, Cork IRA leader.   Michael Fitzgerald, the Cork IRA leader, who was the first republican to die on hunger striker during the Tan War in October 1920. His death was eclipsed by that of Terence…

A talk I gave for the East Wall History Group in August 2021. For over half a century, the statue of IRA Chief-of-Staff Seán Russell in Fairview Park has been both a flashpoint of controversy and site of devoted Irish republican pilgrimage. But who was this key IRA figure of…

An online talk I gave for Trasna na Tíre in May 2021 about Michael Fitzgerald, Cork IRA leader. ‘This is a fight to the finish’: The life and death of Michael Fitzgerald, Cork IRA leader Not only the first republican hunger striker to die during the War of Independence, Michael…

‘One of the most brilliant young Irishmen of our day’: Joseph MacDonagh’s Irish Revolution, for Trasna na Tíre (online by Zoom), on 22 December 2020.   Recalled by his peers as an outstanding worker in the Irish revolutionary movement, and owner of a warm, humorous personality, Joseph MacDonagh has remained…

A summary of a talk I gave in 2020 for Skerries Historical Society on the bombing of Skerries Civic Guards barracks during the Civil War, February 1923. The Skerries Historical Society presentation this month, by Gerard Shannon, tackled ‘The Bombing of Skerries Civic Guard Barracks during the Civil War, 11…

I gave a talk on the topic IRA GHQ and the War of Independence 1919-21, for 8th Burning of the Custom House 1921 Conference, at Custom House, North Dock, Dublin 1 on 26 May 2018. More info…

‘One of the most brilliant young Irishmen of our day’: Joseph MacDonagh T.D. (1883-1922), for Thomas MacDonagh Weekend 2018, at Thomas MacDonagh Heritage Centre, Lower Main Street, Cloughjordan, Co. Tipperary on 5 May 2018. View the programme for the event…