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For the birds — Frank McNally on folklorist and freedom fighter Ernie O’Malley

For the birds — Frank McNally on folklorist and freedom fighter Ernie O’Malley

An evocative writer

Fri Nov 29 2024 - 18:58
Swift justice – Frank McNally on the height of the Drapier’s Letters controversy

Swift justice – Frank McNally on the height of the Drapier’s Letters controversy

Jonathan Swift also fanned the flames with songs and poems written for a popular audience

Thu Nov 28 2024 - 18:58
Parallel projection – Frank McNally on watching Gladiator II and Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat back-to-back

Parallel projection – Frank McNally on watching Gladiator II and Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat back-to-back

Extreme violence and European imperialism

Wed Nov 27 2024 - 18:59
When hospitality begins at home – Frank McNally on having a great welcome for yourself

When hospitality begins at home – Frank McNally on having a great welcome for yourself

The great self-extended welcome seems relatively modern

Tue Nov 26 2024 - 18:58
Conflict of many colours – Frank McNally on a finely illustrated atlas of the Civil War

Conflict of many colours – Frank McNally on a finely illustrated atlas of the Civil War

On a colour-coded map, Kerry’s grim ratio of deaths is represented by a shade that looks like dried blood

Fri Nov 15 2024 - 18:59
Lunar quest – Frank McNally on moon missions, misinformed quiz questions, and mountweazels

Lunar quest – Frank McNally on moon missions, misinformed quiz questions, and mountweazels

Revenge of the anoraks

Thu Nov 14 2024 - 18:59
The Dromcollogher cinema fire disaster – Frank McNally on a fateful day in 1926

The Dromcollogher cinema fire disaster – Frank McNally on a fateful day in 1926

The death toll of 48 represented a tenth of the village’s population

Thu Nov 14 2024 - 10:18
A Head of its time  – Frank McNally on the bicentenary of Howth Road and more about wakes

A Head of its time – Frank McNally on the bicentenary of Howth Road and more about wakes

I now belatedly realise that the road starts in London

Fri Nov 08 2024 - 18:58
Alive and kicking – Frank McNally on the continued survival of the great Irish wake

Alive and kicking – Frank McNally on the continued survival of the great Irish wake

There were of course mountains of food brought by friends and neighbours

Thu Nov 07 2024 - 18:59
Ogham thoughts – Frank McNally on a new artwork, an old alphabet, and the longest word in Irish

Ogham thoughts – Frank McNally on a new artwork, an old alphabet, and the longest word in Irish

The scribes of medieval Ireland, unlike Sinatra, never found their regrets too few to mention

Wed Nov 06 2024 - 18:58
Imposter Boy – Frank McNally on another appearance of the Flann O’Brien who wasn’t

Imposter Boy – Frank McNally on another appearance of the Flann O’Brien who wasn’t

A case of mistaken identity in the Devonshire Arms

Mon Nov 04 2024 - 14:47
Push notification — Frank McNally on an “offensive” cycling term that refuses to die

Push notification — Frank McNally on an “offensive” cycling term that refuses to die

There is, for some cyclists, a principled objection to the term “push-bikes”

Thu Oct 31 2024 - 18:58
Pork scratchings – Frank McNally on racist piggy banks, the decline of thrift, and the joy of building playgrounds

Pork scratchings – Frank McNally on racist piggy banks, the decline of thrift, and the joy of building playgrounds

As he swallowed the money, Paddy rolled his eyes in delight

Wed Oct 30 2024 - 18:59
Anyone for Tennyson? Frank McNally on the lesser-known Charge of the Heavy Brigade, 170 years ago this weekend

Anyone for Tennyson? Frank McNally on the lesser-known Charge of the Heavy Brigade, 170 years ago this weekend

Unlike the celebrated catastrophe later the same morning, that was a success, although whether it was a charge at all is debatable

Fri Oct 25 2024 - 19:00
Skeleton service - Frank McNally on why horses’ heads (and the occasional saint) used to be buried under buildings

Skeleton service - Frank McNally on why horses’ heads (and the occasional saint) used to be buried under buildings

The foundation sacrifice

Thu Oct 24 2024 - 19:00
Red Letter Day — Frank McNally on the Zinoviev Letter, an ‘October Surprise’ of 1924

Red Letter Day — Frank McNally on the Zinoviev Letter, an ‘October Surprise’ of 1924

How decisive the letter really was is still debated

Wed Oct 23 2024 - 18:58
Schmuck spreader – Frank McNally on the unholy resonance of an old Christian hymn

Schmuck spreader – Frank McNally on the unholy resonance of an old Christian hymn

Schmuck was once considered so offensive that people had to invent a politer alternative

Tue Oct 22 2024 - 18:59
Old Haunt - Frank McNally on the sinister past of a Dublin street garden

Old Haunt - Frank McNally on the sinister past of a Dublin street garden

A part of Ballybough that was once shunned by superstitious locals

Fri Oct 18 2024 - 18:58
Going Undercover – Frank McNally on an exhibition about the Irish of the French Résistance

Going Undercover – Frank McNally on an exhibition about the Irish of the French Résistance

A fitting venue

Wed Oct 16 2024 - 18:59
Apostrophe catastrophe – Frank McNally on a vexed punctuation mark

Apostrophe catastrophe – Frank McNally on a vexed punctuation mark

Squares and hardliners

Tue Oct 15 2024 - 18:59
Pavement pinball – Frank McNally on the perils of rush-hour running

Pavement pinball – Frank McNally on the perils of rush-hour running

Even pedestrians are less predictable than before

Fri Oct 11 2024 - 18:59
All agreed – Frank McNally on the surprise success of a play about the Good Friday Agreement

All agreed – Frank McNally on the surprise success of a play about the Good Friday Agreement

Agreement is a funny and moving drama

Thu Oct 10 2024 - 18:59
French connection: Frank McNally on how Percy French continues to unite Ireland, by peaceful means

French connection: Frank McNally on how Percy French continues to unite Ireland, by peaceful means

A now-rare outing for the third verse of The Mountains of Mourne

Wed Oct 09 2024 - 18:59
Red into the record – Frank McNally on why Maxim Litvinov’s Irish years were forgotten, and correcting a confusion of Joycean plaques

Red into the record – Frank McNally on why Maxim Litvinov’s Irish years were forgotten, and correcting a confusion of Joycean plaques

The saga continues

Tue Oct 08 2024 - 18:59
Poison Ivy – Frank McNally on the controversial origins of an annual Parnellite commemoration

Poison Ivy – Frank McNally on the controversial origins of an annual Parnellite commemoration

Women were prominent in promoting the ivy tribute

Fri Oct 04 2024 - 18:58
Rocky Road to Russia – Frank McNally with more about Maxim Litvinov, the Cobblestone bar on tour, and the Battle of Balaclava

Rocky Road to Russia – Frank McNally with more about Maxim Litvinov, the Cobblestone bar on tour, and the Battle of Balaclava

I peeped into the front room where, sure enough, there was a mass session in progress

Thu Oct 03 2024 - 18:59
Red lines – Frank McNally on the little-known story of an Irish translator in 1920s Moscow

Red lines – Frank McNally on the little-known story of an Irish translator in 1920s Moscow

Perhaps the greatest legacy of May O’Callaghan’s communist sojourn was a story of enduring friendship and eventually love

Wed Oct 02 2024 - 18:59
Litvinoff the land – Frank McNally with more on a Russian revolutionary’s Irish past

Litvinoff the land – Frank McNally with more on a Russian revolutionary’s Irish past

The plot thickens

Tue Oct 01 2024 - 18:59
From Russia with question marks — Frank McNally on a famous revolutionary’s mysterious sojourn in Ireland

From Russia with question marks — Frank McNally on a famous revolutionary’s mysterious sojourn in Ireland

Maxim Litvinov and the Inniskeen conundrum

Fri Sept 27 2024 - 18:58
How a Tipperary apple farm is managing climate change

How a Tipperary apple farm is managing climate change

Con Traas, son of a Dutch immigrant, installed fences to protect his trees from summer hailstorms

Fri Sept 27 2024 - 06:00
Duke of Hazard – Frank McNally on the literary pubs (and restaurants) of Dublin 2

Duke of Hazard – Frank McNally on the literary pubs (and restaurants) of Dublin 2

A new bar and a nod to Joyce

Thu Sept 26 2024 - 18:59
Look Behind You – Frank McNally on the surprising second life of a 1980s suit

Look Behind You – Frank McNally on the surprising second life of a 1980s suit

I’m proud that, helped by a long sabbatical, its working career has now spanned over 40 years

Wed Sept 25 2024 - 18:59
Breffni Benefactor – Frank McNally on the revolutionary largesse of Edgar Allan Poe’s Irish ancestor

Breffni Benefactor – Frank McNally on the revolutionary largesse of Edgar Allan Poe’s Irish ancestor

Conspicuous generosity

Tue Sept 24 2024 - 18:59
Much Ado About Nothing –  Frank McNally on the Shakespearean subtext of a great Anglo-Irish battle that never happened

Much Ado About Nothing – Frank McNally on the Shakespearean subtext of a great Anglo-Irish battle that never happened

This month, 425 years ago, marks a pivotal non-event a few miles from Carrickmacross

Fri Sept 20 2024 - 19:15
Field Outing – Frank McNally on an impromptu trip to the National Ploughing Championships

Field Outing – Frank McNally on an impromptu trip to the National Ploughing Championships

It was a jaunt reminiscent of the inaugural Bloomsday, albeit with more speed and less alcohol

Thu Sept 19 2024 - 19:00
Beetlemania – Frank McNally on Edgar Allan Poe, Cavan stereotypes and the storytelling insects of Fishamble Street

Beetlemania – Frank McNally on Edgar Allan Poe, Cavan stereotypes and the storytelling insects of Fishamble Street

An unlikely quest involving cryptograms, pirates and six-legged residents

Wed Sept 18 2024 - 19:00
Diarmaid Ferriter: Why are Irish people so preoccupied with what others might think?

Diarmaid Ferriter: Why are Irish people so preoccupied with what others might think?

The Revelation of Ireland 1995-2020 dissects Irish life over 25 years, with the benefit of hindsight and the opening up of archives

Sun Sept 01 2024 - 06:00
Dutch Courage – Frank McNally on Irish echoes in an infamous battle of the second World War

Dutch Courage – Frank McNally on Irish echoes in an infamous battle of the second World War

The advance on Nijmegen

Fri Aug 30 2024 - 18:59
Missing Link – Frank McNally on the new Fomorians, a race of people who always fear they’re missing out

Missing Link – Frank McNally on the new Fomorians, a race of people who always fear they’re missing out

When they are in exotic places, they are haunted by pictures of friends having more fun at home

Thu Aug 29 2024 - 18:58
A test of metal – Frank McNally on the mysteries of the eponymous adjective

A test of metal – Frank McNally on the mysteries of the eponymous adjective

What’s in a name?

Wed Aug 28 2024 - 18:58
Visions of Mangan in the 21st Century – Frank McNally on a new book about the “Baudelaire of the Liberties”

Visions of Mangan in the 21st Century – Frank McNally on a new book about the “Baudelaire of the Liberties”

James Clarence Mangan was a rock star before his time

Tue Aug 27 2024 - 18:57
Tattoo-for-three Special – Frank McNally on becoming the father of an all-tattooed family

Tattoo-for-three Special – Frank McNally on becoming the father of an all-tattooed family

Congratulations, the WhatsApp message said: ‘ur kids are all officially tatted’

Fri Aug 23 2024 - 18:59
To boldly go – Frank McNally on Star Trek’s prediction of a united Ireland

To boldly go – Frank McNally on Star Trek’s prediction of a united Ireland

A Data-driven approach to unity

Thu Aug 22 2024 - 18:59
Strangman, Strong Woman – Frank McNally on the life and times of a pioneering Waterford doctor

Strangman, Strong Woman – Frank McNally on the life and times of a pioneering Waterford doctor

Mary Strangman was the first elected woman member of Waterford Corporation

Wed Aug 21 2024 - 18:59
Electromagnetic Picnic – Frank McNally on a weekend of music, madness, and MRIs

Electromagnetic Picnic – Frank McNally on a weekend of music, madness, and MRIs

A festival of distraction

Tue Aug 20 2024 - 18:59
Forty Step Programme – Frank McNally on how to cross Dublin without passing a pub

Forty Step Programme – Frank McNally on how to cross Dublin without passing a pub

The mystical attraction of the number 40

Fri Aug 16 2024 - 18:59
A History of Ireland in 100 Journeys – Frank McNally

A History of Ireland in 100 Journeys – Frank McNally

On the road again

Thu Aug 15 2024 - 18:59
Altius, Citius, Hibernicus – Frank McNally on an ambitious Irish sequel to the 1924 Paris Olympics

Altius, Citius, Hibernicus – Frank McNally on an ambitious Irish sequel to the 1924 Paris Olympics

The revival of the Tailteann Games was designed to emphasise Ireland’s ancient sporting lineage

Tue Aug 13 2024 - 18:58
A Fair Fouled? – Frank McNally on the case for returning Killorglin’s King Puck to his lofty platform

A Fair Fouled? – Frank McNally on the case for returning Killorglin’s King Puck to his lofty platform

Getting the goat up on his platform has proved controversial in recent years

Fri Aug 09 2024 - 19:00
Jump Around - Frank McNally on the other James Connolly

Jump Around - Frank McNally on the other James Connolly

Writer, athlete, and first champion of the modern Olympics

Thu Aug 08 2024 - 19:00
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