Kelly's Eye (December 2002/January 2003)
Gerry Kelly surfs the world-wide web in search of sites to inform, inspire and entertain readers of the Irish Democrat
Historical Archaeology in Ireland
Katherine Hull from the Centre for the Study of Rural Ireland contacted me about this site, explaining that: "The project's aim to educate about pre-famine era Irish society is a breath of fresh air."
The site is based on the work the anthropologist Professor Charles Orser who first visited Ireland in 1993 having recently completed a successful study of the Irish building workers on the Illinois and Michigan canal.
Orser's research in Ireland was organised around the idea that -- like the African-American slaves, tenant farmers and canal diggers of his previous studies -- the life stories and contribution of Irish tenant farmers had been largely overlooked by written history.
The site includes numerous photographs from Irish archaeological sites and an extensive bibliography.
A History of Ireland in Song
This site is essentially the draft of a book, which Paul Dunne hopes to publish soon. What it lacks in artistic merit it makes up for in its content. If you require lyrics, you can find an extensive collection of songs here. Equally, if you are a budding Wolfetone tribute band then this site should set you on your way. The keeper of tunes destined to be sung for many years yet. No annoying popups.
Esperanto Association of Ireland
The Esperanto Association of Ireland is the official organisation for Esperanto speakers in the island of Ireland. "The main objective of the association is the promotion of the neutral world language Esperanto," explained Ken Keable, a central figure in the association, who contacted me about the site.
Ken's English translation of A Short History of the Esperanto Movement in Ireland is a particularly good read leading to his article on James Connolly, which was published in the Irish Democrat.
Warning: those with software older than Word 2000 may have difficulties in recognising the translation.
CAIN Web Service Ireland (Conflict Archive on the Internet)
This site contains information and source material on the conflict in Ireland from 1968 to the present. Regularly undated the site is broken down into sections containing a vast amount of revealing background knowledge. At times it feels overwhelming such is the minutiae covered within the overall topic area. In particular the source material offers a balance, anyone carrying out research on the northern conflict should find this a useful starting point.
A University of Ulster student in conjunction with Queens University and the Linen Hall Library originally developed the CAIN service. The fact the more than two thirds of its users are from outside Ireland and England suggests it's here to stay.
The Bogside Artists
The artistic triumvirate of William Kelly, Tom Kelly and Kevin Hasson have become known collectively as the 'Bogside artists'. The site is a showcase for their work, which includes a number of prominent Derry murals. There is an almost mystical element to much of the site's written content.
Through their work they acknowledge the sacrifice the people of Derry have made in the past 30 years. Having lived in the Bogside for most of their lives they are able to capture this in their work.
Suggestions for inclusion can be emailed to: gerrygfkelly@aol.com
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