Features

All feature items

Hubert Lane and the paragons of virtue

Donal Kennedy suggests that Irish people in Britain don't always cover themselves in glory as they move down the order of ‘suspect’ communities

2009-09-21 15:55:16

On Pavlov, pavlova, Eric Cantona and drugs

Writer and filmmaker Paul Larkin argues that we have to take responsibility and act collectively if we are to tackle the drugs problem facing our villages, towns and cities

2009-09-08 15:33:06

Source of enjoyment on a wet day

Donal Kennedy finds much to commend in the multiple volumes of the Dictionary of National Biography

2009-05-13 17:16:53

History on the screen

Donal Kennedy delves into the Pathe-News archives which are now available free-to-view on the world-wide-web

2009-01-28 14:30:25

The civil rights struggle and its legacy

An article commemorating the civil rights struggle and accessing its legacy was originally published in September as a special supplement to <em>Socialist Voice</em>, the monthly publication of the Dublin District of the Communist Party of Ireland. We reproduce it here with permission.

2008-11-01 17:35:44

Ronnie I hardly knew ya!

Gerry Molumby pays tribue to the gravel-throated voice of the Dubliners, Ronnie Drew, who died recently

2008-09-03 22:16:56

Learning the lessons of Féile an Phobail

Prior to this year's annual Féile an Phobail, west Belfast's ever-popular community festival, Nottingham-based actor and theatre director Gerry Molumby spoke to festival chair Danny Morrison about the origins and significance of the event – and of what lessons Irish festivals in Britain could learn from it

2008-08-22 14:40:44

New challenge to Hart's Kilmichael account

Ten years after the publication of Peter Hart's controversial book 'The IRA and its Enemies, Niall Meehan looks back on the controversy and points to new evidence which undermines the Newfoundland historian's account

2008-07-17 15:29:12

Sean McLoughlin

Charlie McGuire sheds some light on the important but largely forgotten role played by Sean McLoughlin in Ireland's independence struggle and the civil war which followed the signing of the Treaty with Britain

2008-03-13 15:21:48

Communists and the Irish civil war

Historian Charlie McGuire outlines the role of Irish communists in the civil war of 1922-23

2008-03-13 14:11:00

Remembering the Manchester Martyrs

On the one-hundred-and-fortieth anniversary of the execution of the three innocent Fenians, David Granville previews a one-day conference at the Working Class Movement Library in Salford to commemorate this event

2007-11-23 12:02:07

Sophie Bryant (part 2)

The second installment of Peter Berresford Ellis's two-part feature on the life and work of the Irish feminist, educationalist and nationalist, Sophie Bryant

2007-04-24 13:40:42

Sophie Bryant (part 1)

The first installment of Peter Berresford Ellis's two-part feature on the life and work of the Irish feminist, educationalist and nationalist, Sophie Bryant

2007-03-13 14:43:49

Irish Self-Determination League of Great Britain, 1919-24

Peter Berresford Ellis examines the role and significance of the Irish Self-Determination League of Great Britain (1919-1924), established in London during the Irish War of Independence

2007-01-30 12:21:37

Rossport's war of attrition

Padraig O’Meschoíl reports from Rossport, Co Mayo where local opposition to oil giant Shell’s plans to build a dangerous gas pipeline close to homes has turned into one of Ireland’s most high-profile campaigns for justice (This article originally appeared in the October/November print edition of the Irish Democrat, but due to technical difficulties has only recently become available for publication on our web edition)

2007-01-25 16:21:58

Iceland - a country of distinctive modernity

Christy Evans writes that the cold beauty of Iceland is matched by its inhabitants cold loathing for a major US airbase located in the country (Irish language article)

2007-01-25 15:00:21

Migration study seeks participants

A new research project at Queen’s University, Belfast, is to investigate migration to Northern Ireland. Researchers hope to gain an insight into the reasons why some of those people who migrated in the 1970’s and 1980’s have chosen to stay away, while others have returned home.

2006-12-27 15:18:19

Martin Flannery (an appreciation)

David Granville pays tribute to the former Sheffield MP Martin Flannery, a fighter for his class and a true friend of Ireland

2006-12-27 13:37:39

Relax - we're all Anglo-Saxon anyway!

Peter Berresford Ellis takes issue with Professor Stephen Oppenheimer's claim to have dropped a “bombshell” amongst Celtic scholars by concluding that the populations of Britain have not changed, biologically at least, from pre-Celtic through Celtic to the Anglo-Saxon

2006-11-23 17:58:38

'One of a kind' Welshman and friend of Ireland

Peter Berresford Ellis offers a personal memory of Kenneth Griffith, actor, documentary filmaker and socialist idealist who died earlier this year

2006-09-08 13:49:52

'Scottie', MacKenzie Kennedy remembered

Stephen Coyle tells the story of MacKenzie Kennedy who died for the Irish Republic during the civil war

2006-09-08 13:08:55

An Bholaiv - Caithréim na ndaoine

Gearóid Ó Colmáino traces the historical development of Bolivia from the time of the conquistadores to the present under president Morales, focusing on the struggle of the oppressed aboriginal people for equality and justice (Irish language article)

2006-07-05 18:30:58

A constitution to destroy Irish republicanism

We must face the fact the participation in the EU parliament is at variance with the ideals of 1916, writes John Murphy

2006-07-05 14:56:49

Equality undermined

Michael Hall looks into claims that ‘high-level’ decisions made exempt from equality laws are a breach of the Good Friday agreement

2006-07-05 13:17:21

New film champions humanity

Jeremy Hardy talks about his partner Katie Barlow’s new film about occupied Palestine

2006-07-05 13:10:11

De Valera's betrayal of the women of 1916

Peter Berresford Ellis argues that the 1937 constitution made male chauvinism an institution and was a betrayal of the women who had fought from 1916 for Irish independence and equality

2006-07-05 11:56:58

British labour and the Easter Rising

David Granville examines the response of the labour movement in Britain to the Easter Rising of 1916

2006-07-04 21:30:23

Sinn Fein set out need for all-Ireland health strategy

Féilim Ó hAdhmaill looks at Sinn Feín’s new health policy for the island of Ireland and argues that an all-Ireland native NHS is the cure

2006-07-04 16:24:11

1981 hunger strikes: 25th anniversary

To mark the twenty-fifth anniversary of 1981 hunger strikes, the Irish Democrat publishes a series of accounts written by those involved

2006-04-07 10:20:24

A lesson the oppressed will never forget

Trade union activist and former republican prisoner Tommy McKearney points to the significance of the 1981 hunger strike

2006-04-07 10:14:28

Gospel of the oppressed

Fr Joe McVeigh describes his role in events leading up to the death of Bobby Sands

2006-04-07 09:35:05

Bobby Sands: an international icon

The Irish Democrat speaks with Denis O’Hearn, author of a new book on the life of Bobby Sands

2006-04-06 22:43:22

A hunger for justice

Peter Berresford Ellis provides a short history of hunger-strikes in Ireland

2006-04-06 20:08:16

Meddling and manipulating

Tommy McKearney looks at the effect on Sinn Fein of Denis Donaldson's exposure as an agent of the British state

2006-02-14 15:07:58

The Kilmichael ambush controversy

Cork No 3 IRA Commandant Tom Barry led one of the most devastating military actions against the British, but did not execute prisoners during the operation, writes Meda Ryan

2006-02-12 16:38:18

Seizing the GPO in 1916 made military sense

The 1916 leaders seized what would have been today the country’s vital telecommunications centre – in a strategic and sophisticated plan close off British lines of command and allow the Irish rebellion to succeed, writes Peter Berresford Ellis

2006-02-12 16:06:54

Jim Savage: an obituary

David Granville pays tribute to the life of Cork socialist and republican Jim Savage who died on 16 December 2005

2006-02-09 13:08:37

Michael Davitt:

In the centenary year of his death, Peter Berresford Ellis examines the contribution of Michael Davitt to the struggle for Irish political emancipation and looks at two contradictory assessments of the Land League leader

2006-01-20 14:19:53

Rossport campaign goes on

Ruairi McCann asks if was Norwegian pressure that secutred the relaease of the Rossport campaigners

2005-11-29 12:00:06

Freedom of speech

Ciara Brannigan argues that the right for six-counties representatives to speak in the Oireachtas is a small step towards unit

2005-11-29 11:53:04

Sean Moylan: soldier, politician and independent spirit

Spanish Civil War veteran Micheál O'Riordan welcomes the publication of Sean Moylan's class-conscious memoir of the Irish War of Independence

2005-09-16 11:20:20

The 1926 Abbey rising

With Ireland’s greatest living cultural heritage rocked by financial mismanagement, infighting and near closure recently, Sally Richardson takes a look at one of the more controversial episodes in the Abbey Theatre’s prestigious history.

2005-08-21 21:26:04

Republicans must win Protestant support

Irish Republicans need to include the northern protestant identity in their vision of a united Ireland to prize them away from unionism, writes Felim O’Hamill

2005-08-21 21:19:55

Celibacy in the Catholic Church

In the first of a two-part series, Peter Berresford Ellis looks at the politics and philosophy behind the Catholic church’s rules on marriage and celibacy

2005-08-19 15:41:18

More 'butcher' than 'grocer'

David Granville argues that legitinate questions remain over the former Tory leader's denials during his lifetime of responsibility for the massacre of unarmed civil rights demonstators on Bloody Sunday 1972

2005-07-28 11:32:56

Edging towards a two-party tussle

Chris Donnelly analyses what the May 5 election results mean for the political parties in the six counties and what may now transpire in light of Sinn Féin and the DUPconsolidating their electoral dominance

2005-07-27 11:48:39

Remember Fontenoy!

Peter Berresford Ellis reminds us of the Irish contribution to the battle of Fontenoy in the War of Austrian Succession and of the particular significance of this year's commemoration for members of the Irish Literary Society

2005-05-19 10:47:38

An iniquitous Act

David Granville shows how the British government's decision to push through the Inquiries Act rides roughshod over the widespread concerns the Finucane family, human rights groups, legal profession bodies and senior members of the judiciary

2005-05-10 17:56:22

Spoils of empire in south London

Sean Lynch recommends a visit to the Imperial War Museum in London but finds himself dismayed by its Irish collection

2005-04-28 15:43:22

Dublin-Monaghan: time for a real inquiry

At last year’s European Social Forum, Bernie McNally and Margaret Unwin, two victims of the Dublin Monaghan bombings of May 1974, gave an impassioned call for a public inquiry into the atrocity to a packed meeting organised by the Connolly Association. Here, the Irish Democrat reprints their speeches in full, including disturbing evidence of collusion by British forces in the bombing

2005-04-28 14:53:52

Irish 'famines': acts of god, colonial mismanagement or genocide?

Peter Berresford Ellis asks whether the spate of ‘famines’ which afflicted Ireland during the 18th and 19th centuries were caused by acts of God, over- reliance on the potato, or were due to English colonial mismanagement or something even more sinister

2005-01-06 16:23:04

Multiculturalism is nothing new

Far from being the homogenous nation portrayed by anti-immigrationists, Ireland has always been a country of complementary contrasts, writes Sally Richardson

2004-10-12 11:10:45

Charles Bradlaugh and Ireland

Historian Peter Berresford Ellis explains how Charles Bradlaugh's youthful experiences, whilst serving in the British army in Ireland, influenced the political development of this prominent English freethinker, republican and supporter of Irish Home Rule

2004-10-06 16:20:14

Bobbie Heatley, 1934-2004

In the mid 1990s Bobby Heatley was one of 40 people from Protestant backgrounds interviewed by independent film maker Marilyn Hyndman as part of a project which aimed to provide a picture of Protestant identity beyond unionism and loyalism

2004-10-06 10:12:09

Adams highlights importance of republished Greaves classic

A new edition of Desmond Greaves' classic study of Liam Mellows has been published. The book includes an introduction written by the Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams

2004-08-24 15:16:07

A working-class friend of Ireland

John Gregory was one of Bristol's shoemaker-poets. Born in Bideford, Devon, apprenticed to a shoemaker at age 11, he was to become the writer of hundreds of poems and songs and a pioneer of the labour, socialist and co-operative movements. Gerrard Sables came upon this poem in support of Home Rule for Ireland whilst engaged in research into Gregory's life

2004-08-24 12:41:31

British army torture tactics are nothing new, says Adams

Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams was among those unsurprised by reports of abuse by British soldiers in Iraq. Here he tells the story of his own suffering at the hands of the British army

2004-08-04 07:43:20

Michael Barrett: a Fenian remembered

Kevin Haddick Flynn on the Irishman who suffered the last public hanging in Britain

2004-08-03 15:04:54

The Abbey and the genius of Irish theatre

As Dublin's celebrated Abbey Theatre celebrates its centenary, Kevin Haddick Flynn looks back at its place at the heart of Irish cultural identity, and asks where drama is headed

2004-08-03 12:44:14

Memories of the Maypole disaster

In 1908, seventy-five people, many of them Irish, died in one of the British mining industry’s worst tragedys. Here, Joe Mullarkey describes that disaster, and the moves being made to commemorate those who lost their lives

2004-08-03 12:15:32

Ireland's forgotten 'Rockite' rebellion

Peter Berresford Ellis sheds some light on the identity of the mysterious ‘Captain Rock’ and the militant agrarian movement active in the south west of Ireland in the early part of the 19th century

2004-07-27 19:50:19

Divide and Rule

Foreign policy expert journalism lecturer Conn Hallinan draws some parallels between recent Israeli support for Kurdish separatism and a key cornerstone of British imperial policy, not least of all in Ireland. (Reproduced here with the kind permission of the author and Portside, a US-based website, which encourages left-wing discussion and debate)

2004-07-19 14:48:01

Anti-national revision is 'alive and kicking'

Irish historical discourse continues to be tainted by ‘apologists for imperialism’ writes Peter Berresford Ellis

2004-05-26 10:57:05

Enlightened Feminism

The Enlightenment values which brought about the 1798 Rebellion were also crucial to the burgeoning feminist movement, writes Sally Richardson

2004-05-26 10:01:36

Born in a stable? - The identity of the Irish diaspora

Peter Berresford Ellis looks at the role of the Irish abroad, and those who claim to be Irish, in the nation's struggle

2004-04-02 07:55:37

The Irish Revolutionary Women of Cumann na mBan

In the second part of her series on the role of women in revolutionary Ireland, Sally Richardson looks at their role in the events of 1918 and beyond

2004-04-02 07:40:43

Reclaiming Robert Emmet

As his bi-centennial year draws to a close, the image of Robert Emmet remains as shrouded in mystery and romance as ever. But thanks to the exhaustive work of one historian, Emmet is finally being viewed by the world at large as not just a great romantic, but a great revolutionary as well

2004-02-01 14:25:07

The mental toll of revolution

Peter Berresford Ellis looks at the hidden cost of armed insurrection in Ireland

2003-12-23 20:40:57

Irish women and revolution

Sally Richardson examines the intertwining of feminism and revolution in Ireland

2003-12-23 20:22:10

Robert Emmet: enigmatic revolutionary

Historian Ruán O’Donnell assesses the real significance of one of Ireland’s most iconic and misunderstood national heroes, the United Irishman Robert Emmet, who was executed 200 years ago in the wake of the failure of the 1803 rising

2003-07-17 13:58:18

Another Democrat milesone

Peter Berresford Ellis looks back on the sixteen years he has been writing a column for the Irish Democrat

2003-07-17 11:20:20

An influential historian of Irish labour

Peter Berresford Ellis on the life of the journalist and historian R M Fox, who helped shape the tumultuos times in which he lived

2003-05-23 11:09:57

Kelly's Eye (February /March/April 2003)

Gerry Kelly surfs the world-wide web in search of sites to inform, inspire and entertain readers of the Irish Democrat

2003-03-10 11:44:21

A lesson in language revival

Peter Berresford Ellis examines the campaign to revive the Slovenian language and argues that while the Slovenian peoples’ determination to hang on to their language should have been an inspiration to the Irish, language revival can only succeed where people want it to

2003-03-10 10:53:39

Following in the footsteps of Connolly

Irish trade unionist Manus O’Riordan pays tribute to life and work of the Kerry-born founder of the Transport Workers Union of America Michael J Quill, fighter for Irish independence, social justice and racial equality

2002-12-29 15:56:36

Civil rights: the struggle for peace and justice

Former Connolly Association general secretary and Irish trade union official Sean Redmond points to the importance of persisting with this aspect of our campaign work (December 2002/January 2003 edition)

2002-12-29 15:33:37

An ghorta mhór: a consequence of ambivalence?

Peter Berresford Ellis welcomes S J Donnelly’s new book about the ‘the great hunger’ and reminds us that this was not the first misnamed ‘famine’ to have resulted from British colonial policy (December 2002/January 2003 edition)

2002-12-29 15:20:01

The perils of religious mysticism

Peter Berresford Ellis points to United Irish support for a Jewish state in Palestine and appeals for an end to Zionist racism, intolerance and land-grabbing

2002-12-29 15:07:01

Kelly's Eye (December 2002/January 2003)

Gerry Kelly surfs the world-wide web in search of websites to inform and entertain readers of the Irish Democrat

2002-12-28 18:20:53

Short Strand: one mother's diary of a community under siege

The predominantly nationalist enclave of Short Strand in east Belfast, where around 3,000 Catholics/nationalists live amid a community of 90,000 Protestants/unionists, has suffered a daily onslaught of sectarian violence and intimidation at the hands of organised loyalists gangs since 11 May, 2001 (October/November 2002 edition)

2002-10-03 16:11:30

Kelly's Eye (October/November 2002)

Gerry Kelly surfs the world-wide web in search of websites to inform and entertain readers of the Irish Democrat

2002-10-03 14:31:16

'Mick' Mannock: fighter pilot and curious socialist

Peter Berresford Ellis gets beneath the British-generated myth surrounding the exploits of World War One fighter pilot Edward ‘Mick’ Mannock and finds a complex and contradictory Irishman committed to Home Rule and socialism (October/November 2002 edition)

2002-10-03 14:11:35

Red Jim was a green man

Emmet O’ Connor argues that whatever differences there may have been between James Connolly and Jim Larkin, any perception that the latter was either disinterested in or hostile to the cause of Irish nationalism simply doesn’t stand up to the facts (August/September 2002 edition)

2002-07-30 18:07:11

Irish in the land of Oz

The reappearance in print of Patrick O’Farrell’s The Irish in Australia serves to remind us of the enormous impact that Irish migration has had on the development of modern Australia explains Limerick-based historian Ruán O’Donnell (August/September 2002 edition)

2002-07-30 17:44:09

A tangled web of intrigue

Journalist Paul Donovan argues that the recent publication of Paul Routledge’s book on Thatcher favourite Airey Neave raises important questions about a number of deaths relating to the the Irish conflict (August/September 2002 edition)

2002-07-30 17:10:06

Another nation divided

Peter Berresford Ellis looks at the origins of the recent nuclear-war-threatening confrontation between India and Pakistan and argues that unity and independence for Kashmir lies at the heart of the solution — not least of all for the Kashmiri peoples themselves (August/September 2002 edition)

2002-07-30 10:12:25

Obit: Sister Sarah Clarke:the prisoners' 'Joan of Arc'

Pegeen O’Sullivan pays tribute to the humanitarian work of a tireless and compassionate campaigner for the human rights and welfare of Irish prisoners in Britain and their families, Sister Sarah Clarke, who died earlier this year.(June/July 2002 edition)

2002-05-30 08:14:53

Napper Tandy: forgotten patriot

Ian McKeane reassesses the reputation of one of the most colourful figures of the United Irish movement (June/July 2002 edition)

2002-05-29 23:24:46

A royal by any other name?

Peter Berresford Ellis explores the origins of the fake House of ‘Windsor’ and highlights some of the more questionable links between the British royals and their German relatives (June/July 2002 edition)

2002-05-29 11:33:11

A very special night for Mick O'Riordan

Lynda Walker reports from a packed New Theatre in Dublin on a special tribute earlier this year to anti-fascist fighter and communist Mick O'Riordan headlined by the Irish folk legend Christy Moore. (April/May 2002 edition)

2002-03-29 18:36:13

Lest we forget: Life in Northern Ireland before 'the troubles'

Peter Berresford Ellis recalls a disturbing but enlightening visit to the six counties in 1964 and reminds us that the consequence of Westminster's refusal to ‘lance the festering boil’ that was Northern Ireland was the eruption of violence which followed a few years later (April/May 2002 edition)

2002-03-29 11:40:51

The song for all socialists

Seventy-three years after the death of Jim Connell, Liam Smith looks back at the life of the Irishman responsible for penning The Red Flag. While out of favour with the current leadership of Britain’s Labour Party, the song remains popular amongst ordinary members and with socialists throughout the world.(February/March 2002 edition)

2002-02-03 18:03:26

Biafra: a tragedy set to be repeated?

Peter Berresford Ellis looks at the impact of Britain’s colonial legacy on post-independence Nigeria and warns that the desire for national self-determination remains undiminished among the country’s 15-million Ibo people. (February/March 2002 edition)

2002-02-03 16:28:57

Historical spotlight on Irish women activists

A new historical and biographical series, focusing on Irish women activists, is about to be launched by Dublin-based publisher The Woodfield Press. Series editor Ruth Taillion explains the thinking behind the initiative.(December 2001/January 2002)

2001-11-27 21:00:27

Robert Emmet: revising reputations

Ruán O'Donnell argues that Robert Emmett is one of the most misunderstood figures in Irish history. (June/July 2001)

2001-11-27 21:00:27

Jamie Hope of Templepatrick

Ruán O'Donnell pays tribute to the life of working-class United Irishman James Hope. (December 2001/January 2002 edition)

2001-11-27 20:29:22

Letter from Cork

Cork correspondent Jim Savage takes another look at the issue of homelessness in the twenty-six county's second city

2001-11-27 00:10:06

Jonathan Swift: reluctant revolutionary

Peter Berresford Ellis examines of the politics of Gulliver's Travels author Jonathan Swift and assesses his contribution to the struggle for Irish independence (Dec 2001/Jan 2002 edition)

2001-11-26 22:51:51

Letter from New York

New York correspondent Joe Jamison predicts an authoritarian backlash after the tragic events in New York last month

2001-10-02 13:06:13

A hunger for change

Sinn Féin's Jim Gibney, below, explains the impact of the 1981 hunger strikes on the development of modern republicanism. (October/November 2001 edition)

2001-10-02 12:55:01

The challenge to the UK state

Peter Berresford Ellis uncovers the myths surrounding the creation of the United Kingdom and looks at the weaknesses at its seams (Aug/Sept 2001 edition)

2001-10-01 15:34:47