On Tuesday 17th July, Henry Joy McCracken was tried for treason and rebellion and hung in Belfast. Reporting the execution, the Belfast Newsletter states that: “…at five o’clock the prisoner was brought from the Artillery Barracks to the place of execution. Having been attended in private by a Clergyman, he was only a few minutes fromContinue reading ““…launched into eternity”: Belfast Newsletter on execution of Henry Joy McCracken”
Category Archives: Pre-20th century
Belfast Fenian leader, William Harbinson
In July 1867 Belfast IRB leader William Harbinson was brought up on charges of treason felony. He died in Belfast prison in September 1867 before he was brought to trial. While his name was given to the original republican plot in Milltown and his funeral was attended by over 40,000 people (in defiance of opposition from the CatholicContinue reading “Belfast Fenian leader, William Harbinson”
Ethna Carbery and the disappearance of many Northern cultural figures from the literary history of Ireland
Previously the Irish Times published a map showing some of the locations where it believed we should be considering erecting monuments to honour the achievements of various outstanding Irish women. Since it only included very few in the north, I’m suggesting one, Anna Johnston, who should be near the top of any such list. In 2002, whenContinue reading “Ethna Carbery and the disappearance of many Northern cultural figures from the literary history of Ireland”
How to replace the peace lines with the River Farset
Imagine we could replace the fifty year old peace line by re-opening the River Farset? That isn’t as fanciful as it sounds. A significant section of the river along the northern side of Cupar Street (much of it open ground today) while the peace line runs on its southern side. So it would certainly beContinue reading “How to replace the peace lines with the River Farset”
The prehistory of James Connolly
One of the most fascinating figures involved in the 1916 rebellion in Ireland is James Connolly. Born in Edinburgh of Irish parents, Connolly was hugely influential as a socialist commentator, writer and practitioner, both in Ireland and further afield. Ironically, or perhaps paradoxically, despite his significance Connolly’s early life and formative influences are largely unknownContinue reading “The prehistory of James Connolly”
The prehistory of James Connolly
One of the most fascinating figures involved in the 1916 rebellion in Ireland is James Connolly. Born in Edinburgh of Irish parents, Connolly was hugely influential as a socialist commentator, writer and practitioner, both in Ireland and further afield. Ironically, or perhaps paradoxically, despite his significance Connolly’s early life and formative influences are largely unknownContinue reading “The prehistory of James Connolly”
James Connolly, the British soldier.
This may come as a shock to many people but James Connolly, the revolutionary socialist and republican, had served in the British army (but then, so many Irish people did join up, it’s hardly a surprise). This post looks at some of what we know about Connolly the British soldier. James Connolly’s legend appears toContinue reading “James Connolly, the British soldier.”
How to replace the peace lines with the River Farset
Imagine we could replace the fifty year old peace line by re-opening the River Farset? That isn’t as fanciful as it sounds. A significant section of the river along the northern side of Cupar Street (much of it open ground today) while the peace line runs on its southern side. So it would certainly beContinue reading “How to replace the peace lines with the River Farset”
Ethna Carbery and the disappearance of many Northern cultural figures from the literary history of Ireland
Last weekend the Irish Times published a map showing some of the locations where it believed we should be considering erecting monuments to honour the achievements of various outstanding Irish women. Since it only included very few in the north, I’m suggesting one, Anna Johnston, who should be near the top of any such list. In 2002,Continue reading “Ethna Carbery and the disappearance of many Northern cultural figures from the literary history of Ireland”
Where, oh where, is our James Connolly: #Connolly150
One of the remarkable things about James Connolly is how his life provides an intersection with so many long-standing themes: immigration, poverty and disadvantage, Irish-British relations, the Irish in Scotland, class politics, imperialism, socialism and Irish republicanism. Another critical area, in which so many of these issues, and others, converge is in service in theContinue reading “Where, oh where, is our James Connolly: #Connolly150”
The Treason Felony Blog 