1916 – War and Revolution
1916 – a year to most Remembered for slaughter of the Somme Youth sacrificed by generals incompetence Against the odds sent to …
Civilians Slain – An Empire Saved
The sight of the Dillon family emerging from their house waving a white flag in Moore Street being shot down by snipers …
One Faith Under Two Flags
One faith under two flags fought in Galway The Gloucester’s guns roared as shells rained from Athenry to Castlegar The Men of …
Ireland Is Not For Sale
Background: As with Tara, where our heritage was torn up to be sold for profit, there is the same happeneing at the …
Blood Spilled for the King of Spain’s Daughter
One upmanship, greed, and piracy… a tale of the O’Driscoll clan of pirates of the Irish south coast… The Helen of Troy …
On Sighting Sandy Row
Visiting Belfast back in 2008 we took a wrong turn, and drove by this mural by accident. While explaining the conflict to …
Shoulder High Let Them Carry Him – Jim Larkin Tribute
What would Jim Larkin make of the corruption in the Labour Party today? Or the roll over and take a piece actions …
1916 – A Futile Effort Betrayed
Was it for this that Theobald Wolf Tone Across his own throat drew the blade, His high ideals for which were fought …
Ill Go Where Im Sent
Invitation received: all were excited Again their friends where they are twinned they would meet Its not a junket: this, this is …
Toasting Two Kings
I was at the Aughrim Horse Fair last Sunday, and while viewing all of the horses – and the women! – there, …
Walking Edenmore Bog
Across this moor in fear they fled As marched their comrades were in the roads below The lucky were their comrades dead …
Fairy Fort at Lough Gowna
Did they look as I walked Where tradition states one never should, Inside the round ditches of the fort, Perched above Loch …
The Harp of King Brian Ború
Its a mere 1001 years since the battle of Clontarf, and we understand little of the dynamics of the battle. There was …
The Flag
Poem written when two girls from up Ulster way came to my flat and saw a tricolour in dislay in the corner. …
Comrades Stood as Comrades Should
Comrades stood as comrades should For each other, for cause to fight Man to man, as heros can To fall is noble …
Sleuthing for the German Reillys
ne of the tragic and most interesting things to come out of the Great War and the Second World War was the …
“A Nightingale Falling” – Film Review
I dont do many film reviews, but as this one is shot local in Offaly… “The Wind That Shakes The Barley” for …
Battle of Bloody Banks
There is an Ulster saying “Dont dig too deep” into family backgrounds, as you would never know what you might find, and …
Innocence Died a Thousandth Death
She was the first of the age of innocence, The hundredth overall, Daily her father grieving Came to talk to her on …
Real Heros Never Boast, Being Dead
Silent they lie, neath clay, the slain… Speak not of deeds done, but remain In history, names unknown, Of battles fought, for …