The Irish Film Institute (IFI) was at the Consulate General of Ireland in New York in April to launch its Irish Independence Film Collection, a culturally significant compilation of newsreel material from the early 20th century. With over 150 films in total, the footage, which features Michael Collins, Éamon de Valera, and Queen Victoria to name a few, gives fascinating … [Read more...] about Irish Film Institute Unveils Century-Old Footage
Eamon de Valera
After the Rising
The soaring oratory of the Easter Rising Proclamation – “In this supreme hour the Irish nation must . . . prove itself worthy of the august destiny to which it is called” – was followed by seven long years of desperate deal-making, retribution, and bloodshed. Only then did the Irish find themselves on the path to freedom. The fallout from the Rising did not end when all seven … [Read more...] about After the Rising
Elizabeth O’Farrell – A Fearless Woman
By Rosemary Rogers, Contributor
An Irish nurse and member of Cumann na mBan, Elizabeth O’Farrell performed nursing and courier duties, delivering dispatches and ammunition to rebels over the days of the Easter Rising. She further risked her life to deliver Pádraig Pearse’s terms of surrender to the British forces on Friday, April 28 and stood with him when he surrendered to General Lowe later that day. It … [Read more...] about Elizabeth O’Farrell – A Fearless Woman
Digging Up the Past
Robert Schmuhl takes us behind the scenes on a decade-long research project that culminated in his book Ireland’s Exiled Children: America and the Easter Rising. Facts are stubborn things,” John Adams famously remarked. Less known, though, is a clause he added to complete the thought – “and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they … [Read more...] about Digging Up the Past
Éamon de Valera: Man of Mystery
Éamon de Valera, the dominant political figure of Ireland’s 20th century, was an enigmatic figure to the end of his life. Éamon de Valera was sentenced to death for his involvement in the 1916 Easter Rising, but, under circumstances that are still a mystery, he escaped the firing squad and was instead shipped off to prison in England. Later that year, in July, the … [Read more...] about Éamon de Valera: Man of Mystery