In honor of International Worker's Day, we've taken a break from Central Asia to discuss how Jim Larkin, James Connolly, and the ITGWU fought for worker rights in Ireland in 1913. If you enjoyed this episode, please donate to our Patreon Learn how to unionize Join Jonah Furman's newsletter Follow Jonah Furman and Joshua Potash … Continue reading Special Episode: Dublin Lockout 1913
Episode 17-the 1921 Anglo-Irish Treaty
In today's episode we discuss the 1921 Anglo-Irish Treaty, including the many controversial decisions made by DeValera during the Truce, the struggle Prime Minister David Lloyd George, Michael Collins, and Arthur Griffith faced from internal and external stakeholders during the negotiations, and the tragic fracture that occurred within the Irish people after the Dail approved … Continue reading Episode 17-the 1921 Anglo-Irish Treaty
The RICs, Auxiliaries, and the Black and Tans
During our podcast episodes on the Irish War for Independence, we focus on the IRA’s tactics and perspective. Today, we’ll be focusing on the British response and the different military and law enforcement groups they employed against the IRA and the Dail. England and the Home Rule Bill Up until 1916, the British government’s approach … Continue reading The RICs, Auxiliaries, and the Black and Tans
Episode 12-Hunger Strikes During the Irish War of Independence
In this episode, we discuss the role of hunger strikes during the Irish War of Independence, including the story of Thomas Ashe, the Mountjoy Prison and General Strike of 1918, and Terence MacSwiney. If you enjoyed this episode, please donate to our Ko-Fi If you want to receive updates on our projects, join our … Continue reading Episode 12-Hunger Strikes During the Irish War of Independence
Episode 10-Richard Mulcahy and the Irish War of Independence
In this episode we discuss Richard Mulcahy's role as Chief of Staff of the IRA during the Irish War of Independence, including his efforts to instill discipline and organization, his difficult relationship with Brugha and DeValera, and his increased radicalization. If you enjoyed this episode, please donate to our Ko-Fi Transcript Theme Sound: Symphony no. … Continue reading Episode 10-Richard Mulcahy and the Irish War of Independence
Episode 8: Anglo-Irish War Part III 1921
Before we begin, we want to make it clear that this podcast and website knows Black Lives Matter and support the protesters demanding justice and arguing for the abolition of the police. There are links below on how we can help support the movement and challenge our own prejudices and educate ourselves. This is the … Continue reading Episode 8: Anglo-Irish War Part III 1921
Episode 7-Anglo-Irish War Part II-1920
Episode 7-Anglo-Irish War Part II 1920 Before we begin, we want to make it clear that this podcast and website knows Black Lives Matter and support the protesters demanding justice and arguing for the abolition of the police. There are links below on how we can help support the movement and challenge our own prejudices … Continue reading Episode 7-Anglo-Irish War Part II-1920
Episode 5 IRA: Formation and Organization
In this episode we talk about the IRA as an organization, how it was formed, the many different command structures it tried, its tactics, it's relationship with civilian ministers, and the relationship between ground troops and General Headquarters Transcript coming Theme Sound: Symphony no. 5 in Cm, Op. 67 - III. Allegro Image designed by … Continue reading Episode 5 IRA: Formation and Organization
Episode 4-The First Dail
Episode 4- The First Dail In this episode we talk about the creation of the first Dail and its relation with the IRA Transcript coming Theme Sound: Symphony no. 5 in Cm, Op. 67 - III. Allegro Image designed by @GraphicsHub3 References: The Republic: the Fight for Irish Independence by Charles Townshend, 2014, Penguin Group … Continue reading Episode 4-The First Dail
Episode 3-Ireland 1917-1918: Resurrecting a Rebellion
In this episode we talk about Ireland between 1917 and 1918, focusing on how Sinn Fein and the Irish Volunteers were able to rebuild themselves after Easter Rising. Transcript Theme Sound: Symphony no. 5 in Cm, Op. 67 - III. Allegro Image designed by @GraphicsHub3 References: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-35876886 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frongoch_internment_camp http://www.easter-rising-frongoch.wales/ https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/dec/27/welsh-village-frongoch-summons-ghosts-irelands-revolutionary-past https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/heritage/the-prison-where-michael-collins-thrived-and-william-halpin-went-mad-1.2908461?mode=sample&auth-failed=1&pw-origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.irishtimes.com%2Fculture%2Fheritage%2Fthe-prison-where-michael-collins-thrived-and-william-halpin-went-mad-1.2908461 https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/diarmaid-ferriter-the-1916-prisoners-released-on-christmas-eve-1.2915580 https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/1916/after-the-rising/frongoch-university-of-the-revolution-34466342.html https://www.theirishstory.com/2017/12/04/interview-tomas-macconmara-on-1917-in-ireland-and-the-death-of-thomas-ashe/#.Xov1vnJOnIU https://www.rte.ie/centuryireland/index.php/articles/carrying-a-cross-for-ireland-thomas-ashe-in-profile … Continue reading Episode 3-Ireland 1917-1918: Resurrecting a Rebellion
Women of Easter Rising Part II
I had a lot of fun researching Irish women who took part in Easter Rising for this episode, but I couldn’t cover them all in one sitting, so here is a thread of the other women who contributed to the Rising one or another. #WomensHistoryMonth Margaret Skinnider was a Scottish schoolteacher and suffragist who left … Continue reading Women of Easter Rising Part II
Irish Women Who went on Hunger Strike
Hunger strikes are a familiar weapon in the war against colonial policies and wrongful imprisonment. Although today it is associated primarily with Gandhi or with the IRA, like Bobby Sands, it is an old tactic practiced all over the world and by all genders, such as revolutionaries in Imperial Russia, suffragettes in Britain and the … Continue reading Irish Women Who went on Hunger Strike
Episode 1-Easter Rising
Our first episode will discuss Easter Rising, contextualizing it within Ireland's long fight for self-governance and discussing its long legacy.
Episode 2-Women of Easter Rising
This episode will talk about five women who contributed to Easter Rising: Constance Markievicz, Kathleen Clarke, Winifred Carney, Hanna Sheehy-Skeffington, and Molly Osgood.
Book Review: The Good Friday Agreement
The Good Friday Agreement by Siobhan Fenton, 2018, Biteback Publishing Pros: Quick and Easy read Provides needed context on women’s and LGBTQ issues in Ireland A great overview of what’s happened in Ireland since the Good Friday Agreement Cons: Lacking in deep analysis on any issues This book is a breezy and easy read of … Continue reading Book Review: The Good Friday Agreement
Review for Fatal Path
Fatal Path: British Government and Irish Revolution 1919-1923 by Ronan Fanning, Faber and Faber, 2013 4/5 A light and easy read about the British perspective during the Anglo-Irish War. I greatly enjoyed this book. Since I normally read about the conflict from the side of the IRA/Irish Nationalist’s, this book was enjoyable and provided needed … Continue reading Review for Fatal Path
Book Review of Richard Mulcahy from the Politics of War to the Politics of Peace 1913-1924
Book Review of Richard Mulcahy from the Politics of War to the Politics of Peace 1913-1924 by Padraig O Caoimh, Irish Academic Press 2019 Rating: 4.5/5 Pros: A long overdue biography on a vital founder of the Irish Free State and Irish Army Rich analysis that is easy to read Provides needed context on the … Continue reading Book Review of Richard Mulcahy from the Politics of War to the Politics of Peace 1913-1924
The Battle of Ashbourne
Tuesday 25, April 1916 was a fine, spring day. There had been gentle showers earlier, but the land had dried since then, and the rest of week promised to be warm. After a disastrous start on Easter Sunday, things had gone as smoothly as could be expected for Irish Volunteer, Lieutenant Richard Mulcahy. After reporting … Continue reading The Battle of Ashbourne
Easter Rising: Surrender and Legacy
Thursday and Friday were some of the bloodiest days during Easter Rising. Cathal Brugha made a brilliant stand on Thursday, during the famous battle for South Dublin Union and Daly held the British forces at the Four Courts from Wednesday to Friday. Most importantly, Commander-in-chief General Sir John Maxwell arrived in Ireland on Friday. General … Continue reading Easter Rising: Surrender and Legacy
Easter Rising-Tuesday and Wednesday
Despite knowing about the upcoming Rising, the British government in Ireland did little to prepare for it. Monday morning there were a total of 400 British soldiers on hand to respond to the rebellion. Townshend claims that there were 100 for each of the four barracks (Richmond, Marlborough, Royal, and Portobello). The rest of the … Continue reading Easter Rising-Tuesday and Wednesday
Easter Rising: Sunday
Easter Rising is one of the most momentous Irish rebellions in its long, tortuous and bloody history. It caught the British by surprise (despite the Castle knowing all there was to know about the planned exertion) and lasted from April 24th to April 29th, before being defeated by the British Army under General Maxwell. It … Continue reading Easter Rising: Sunday
Easter Rising Part 1: Pre-1916
Easter Rising is one of the most momentous moments in Irish history, setting the stage for the Anglo-Irish War in the 1920s, and continues to shape Irish society. But what is it and why did it happen? Easter Rising was an Irish protest concentrated mostly in Dublin with a few firefights in the countryside and … Continue reading Easter Rising Part 1: Pre-1916
Book Review: The Year of Liberty: the History of the Great Irish Rebellion of 1798
The Year of Liberty: the History of the Great Irish Rebellion of 1798 by Thomas Pakenham. Published in 1993 by Random House, Inc. I have been fascinated by the 1798 rebellion ever since I first discovered the band the Wolfe Tones and realized they were named after an Irish rebel. Needless to say, I … Continue reading Book Review: The Year of Liberty: the History of the Great Irish Rebellion of 1798
Eamon de Valera Part II
I’m writing this a little later than I wanted, but I am finally discussing the second half of de Valera’s life. My post discussing his contribution to the Anglo-Irish war and Irish Civil War can be found here. When the civil war ended, de Valera was in the political wilderness. He realized that he could … Continue reading Eamon de Valera Part II
Book Review: Portrait of a Revolutionary
Portrait of a Revolutionary General Richard Mulcahy and the Founding of the Irish Free State by Maryann Valiulis Published in 1992 by University Press of Kentucky Richard Mulcahy is a criminally underappreciated Irishmen. Born in the 1890s and starting his career as a postal worker, he would eventually study to become an engineer, before taking … Continue reading Book Review: Portrait of a Revolutionary
Book Review: Easter 1916 the Irish Rebellion
Easter 1916 the Irish Rebellion by Charles Townshend. Published in 2015 by Penguin I’m going to start this review with a warning: Charles Townshend is one of my favorite historians. I have read few historians who can take complicated messes and break them down into short, easy to understand chapters within a chapter, while also … Continue reading Book Review: Easter 1916 the Irish Rebellion
Eamon de Valera Part I
There are few men who participated in the Anglo-Irish War and the Irish Civil War who have as complicated a legacy as Eamon de Valera. He was a mathematics professor, last man to surrender during Easter Rising, leader of the Dáil and the IRA, instigator of the anti-treaty movement, political outcast, and Taoiseach, and, finally, … Continue reading Eamon de Valera Part I
Book Review Eamon de Valera: A Will to Power
Eamon de Valera: A Will to Power by Ronan Fanning. Published in 2015 by Faber & Faber Because of his many controversial decisions made during the rebellion, civil war, and his long presidency, it is hard to find an objective biography on Eamon de Valera. However, Fanning’s biography is the fairest and kindest book I’ve … Continue reading Book Review Eamon de Valera: A Will to Power
The Importance of Land
I have recently finished R. F. Foster’s book Modern Ireland 1600-1972 and it got me thinking about land distribution during and after conflict. In Ireland, Cromwell targeted the land once owned by those who rebelled. This happened to be the elite of Irish society and he redistributed the larger tracts to his followers and Anglo-Irish … Continue reading The Importance of Land
Book Review Modern Ireland 1600-1972
Modern Ireland 1600-1972 by R. F. Foster. Published in 1990 by Penguin Books This book is a concise review of the growth of modern Ireland from 1600 to 1972 that could be divided into two separate books. The first half is an economic and social study of an agricultural society and the second half is … Continue reading Book Review Modern Ireland 1600-1972
Art of Asymmetrical Warfare 