Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Fadó Fadó

My new book book will be out in April 2015!

Fadó Fadó

More Tales of Lesser Known Irish History
by Rónán Gearóid Ó Domhnaill

A long, long time ago…


Fadó Fadó: More Tales of Lesser Known Irish History is the sequel to Fadó: Tales of Lesser Known Irish History (Matador, 2013). It reveals more episodes from Irish history throughout the ages. 

The Irish abroad are not neglected in this collection of tales, many of which are not widely know or have been long forgotten about. The author makes no attempt to heroise or demonise the figures, though some of the characters do not deserve the obscurity to which the passage of time has condemned them, while others are probably best forgotten. Their stories illustrate the rich tapestry that forms Irish history… 

Who was the walking gallows man of Wicklow? What was it about a cave in Donegal that attracted visitors from all over Europe? What happened to the priest who evoked the ire of the Irish government? How did an Irish civil servant defy the Nazis at a time when appeasement was popular? Whose corpse in Galway created wonder and fear? Why did a Monaghan man eat his fellow convicts? And how did a Dublin woman try to assassinate Mussolini? 

Laid out in chapters long enough to cover what is important and still retain the reader’s interest, this book can be started from anywhere. Just like its prequel, Fadó Fadó is a must-have book for anyone interested in Irish history.



Tuesday, October 28, 2014

RIC handcuffs



The above handcuffs belonged to my great grandfather John Deneny, who came from Cavan. He served in Kerry, Tipperary and Limerick. If you have relatives who served in this police force, more information can be obtained from the PSNI Museum in Belfast or the archives in Kew, London.

Friday, October 24, 2014

The Key to Carantryla House




It is just an old key, but it unlocked the main door to one of County Galway's  "Big Houses". Carantryla House, located near Dunmore, County Galway was demolished around the 1940s. My great-grandfather John Deneny was caretaker at the house until Major Handcock returned in the 1920s.  Despite the attempts to erase the past, its memory lingers on.

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Aideen's Grave, Howth, County Dublin.



Aideen was the daughter of Aonghus, who lived at Binn Edair. Her husband was killed in battle around 284 and she died of grief and was buried there. While she may have been buried there, the portal tomb, with its 35 tonne capstone is at least two thousand years older than this. The peninsula later became known as Howth after the name was adopted by the Normans.