Sunday, March 29, 2015

The Ballymanus Disaster



Check out "Fadó Fadó More Tales of Lesser-Known Irish History". Read about the sea mine, which exploded in the tranquil village of Ballymanus, County Donegal, during the Second World War (known in Ireland as The Emergency) and claimed the lived on several villagers. 

Sunday, March 15, 2015

River Corrib Artefacts



Some items recovered from the River Corrib and now in Galway City Museum. Top to bottom: iron axe, circa 100 AD, bronze sword 500 BC and a bronze sword dating from around 800 BC.

For more information check out:   http://www.galwaycitymuseum.ie

Friday, March 13, 2015

Clonfert Cathedral, County Galway

 
Perhaps the most magnificent doorway in all of Ireland, the 12th century doorway of Clonfert Cathedral. For those who cannot view the real thing, there is a copy in the National Museum in Dublin.

Kyteler's Inn Kilkenny



The restored home of Alice Kyteler, the Kilkenny witch. She was married several times and her husband's seem to die soon afterwards. She may have been Ireland's first female serial killer and had friend's in high places who helped her escape the Norman colony to Dublin, where she vanished from the pages of history. Her maid, Petronilla of Meath, was less fortunate and was burned at the stake in 1324.  For more check out my chapter on Irish witches in my latest book "Fadó Fadó More Tales of Lesser-Known Irish History".

Thursday, March 12, 2015

Anchoress Grave Slab Kilkenny



A late Medieval Grave slab of an anchoress,  a holy woman who was bricked into her cell and never left it. Read about them, and their male equivalents, anchorites, in my latest book, "Fadó Fadó More Tales of Lesser-Known Irish History".


The above grave slab is on view in St Canice's Cathedral, Kilkenny City.

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Fadó Fadó- out soon!



I hope to get the first printed copy of Fadó Fadó this week. Hopefully it will turn out okay. It should be available to order from all good bookshops by the end of March.  For those not familiar with my books Fadó Fadó is the sequel to Fadó. Again it is a collection of lesser well known episodes from Irish history from home and abroad.The chapters are long enough to inform and short enough to hold your attention. The advantage of this book is that you can pick it up and start reading from anywhere. In terms of style it is a cross between telling a story and an academic work. I will be promoting it wherever I can over the next few months. I hope you enjoy it.

Monday, March 2, 2015

Sir John Gray

Sir John Gray ( 1815-75) from Claremorris, County Mayo is credited with supplying the city of Dublin with a clean supply of water when he established the Vartry Reservoir. He died in Bath and his body returned to Dublin for burial at Glasnevin. He is commemorated both at Glasvevin and with a statue on O'Connell street.

Daniel O'Connell Mausoleum


On a recent visit to Glasnevin, I went into the Daniel O'Connell Mausoleum, easily distinguishable by the round tower. I believe it was closed until recently, but is now open to the public again.
His heart may have been in Rome, but it s current whereabouts are unknown. Below: the coffins of his relatives and the tomb itself.