Laurence Ginnell at his desk in Chicago, circa 1920 (George Grantham Bain Collection, United States Library of Congress) In the latest edition of our podcast series, Historian in Residence Ian Kenneally speaks with Dr Paul Hughes in the second of two episodes devoted to the remarkable political career of Westmeath’s Laurence Ginnell. The second episode […]
As part of the Westmeath County Council Decade of Centenaries programme, Ian Kenneally has been reappointed Historian in Residence for the period from August until December 2021. The residency is supported by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media’s Decade of Centenaries Programme, in partnership with Westmeath County Council. The residency is […]
An image from the Daily Sketch newspaper, showing Laurence Ginnell's arrest in November 1916. He served three weeks in London's Brixton Prison In the latest edition of our podcast series, Historian in Residence Ian Kenneally speaks with Dr Paul Hughes in the first of two episodes devoted to the remarkable political career of Westmeath’s Laurence […]
This edition of the blog will consider reaction to the Treaty in Mullingar and its locality, following on from the previous edition when we discussed Athlone. The July 1921 Truce between the Irish Republican Army (IRA) and British Crown forces was welcomed by people in Mullingar with local newspaper reports giving a sense of relief […]
This edition of the blog will discuss developments in Athlone and its hinterland, as well as local reaction to the Treaty. In the second article, we will discuss Mullingar and its locality. The period between July 1921 and February 1922 was a time of hope and tension for the people of Athlone. The July Truce […]
In this, the second of two articles, we continue our discussion of the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB) in Westmeath after the Easter Rising and during the War of Independence. In 1919, the I.R.B. relinquished, albeit conditionally, its longstanding claim to be the government of Ireland, amending its constitution and standing aside for the newly-formed Dáil […]
In the first of two articles, we examine the role played by the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB) in Westmeath, particularly its relationship with the Irish Republican Army between 1919 and 1921. As was the case in other counties, most IRA officers in Westmeath were members of the IRB. This revolutionary organisation long pre-dated the IRA, […]
In the latest edition of our podcast series, Historian in Residence Ian Kenneally speaks with Dr Anne Marie O’Brien, about the role played by Alice King (later Ginnell) in Cumann na mBan, Sinn Féin and as part of Dáil Éireann’s international publicity efforts during the War of Independence. This episode (and earlier editions) can also […]
In the latest edition of our podcast series, Historian in Residence Ian Kenneally speaks with author and historian Dr John Burke. It is the second of two episodes and it discusses Roscommon during the years 1920-1921. Of course, there are many crossovers and connections between Roscommon and Westmeath, particularly through areas such as Athlone. John […]
In the latest edition of our podcast series, Historian in Residence Ian Kenneally speaks with author and historian Dr John Burke. It is the first of two episodes which discuss Roscommon during the years 1917-1921. Of course, there are many crossovers and connections between Roscommon and Westmeath, particularly through areas such as Athlone. John Burke […]