Historical landmarks can, in themselves, become symbols and even metaphors for an entire historical period: whether it’s the Coliseum in Rome, the Parthenon in Athens, or the Pyramids in Egypt. These sites take on a character beyond the mere stones and presence they embody, becoming immortalized in the myths, legends, and histories which surround them. …
I have a small, energetic dog that will never grown-up – a puppy locked inside a four-year-old’s body. If you asked me to describe him, I would focus on his obvious traits: the colour of his fur, his hyperactive personality, or his never-ending quest to hunt/steal food. I may even recount memories of him, such …
Read more “Book Review: Ireland’s Animals, Niall Mac Coitir”
I recently discovered that my 1 year-old daughter has already chosen her favourite book, one she undoubtedly picked for the colourful flaps and dynamic dinosaurs. When I ask what she wants to read, she has no hesitation, through pointing and screaming, which one it is. I only hope this is a sign that she is …
Read more “Book Review: A smaller social history of ancient Ireland, P.W. Joyce”
Growing up in Northern Ireland, for many around me the infamous Battle of the Boyne was more akin to a religious doctrine than a historical event. Many worshiped this mysterious figure on a white horse much like they did their saints, more so even. But like any historical event which becomes a political narrative, the …
Some historians are born academics, their work is thorough, detailed, and completely incomprehensible. But there are a rare few, of whom we will have all heard of (e.g. Tom Holland, Anthony Beevor), who manage to bridge that great divide, turning facts into narrative, bringing history to life through a colourful string of characters. Barry Cunliffe’s …
Archaeology can often feel as dry and dead as the very artifacts it unearths. Debates around dating methodologies, discoveries of inane objects of little to no importance, or merely terminology so densely formulated in ‘isms’ and ‘tions’ that no lay-person has a hope of understanding it. Thankfully, Ancient Ireland by Laurence Flanagan can be accused …
I can’t count the times I’ve prayed for the dull, droning monotony of a lecture to end. We will all be able to remember a talk we wished we could escape, a pointless meeting, or a seemingly unending work presentation. I resent how much of my life has been stolen away by such moments. So …
Read more “Book Review: The Oldest Irish Tradition, Kenneth Jackson”
Short story written by Daniel Kirkpatrick published June 2020 “This – ahem – this is the most important challenge we face in our century. The most important. Without the freedom to say what we believe, what have we? However, if left unguarded, we risk losing everything. Is that what you want? To lose everything? No. …
Short story written by Daniel Kirkpatrick, published 2019 What a brilliant wall. I mean look at the structural simplicity of those blocks, strung together like soldiers in formation. It’s just remarkable how each concrete pillar towers over the landscape. Mike, a final year architecture student, breathed a sigh of relief. He’d finally found something he …