Category Archives: Britain

To set a benchmark

Posted on 16/04/2018 by eamonntgardiner

Here was a prime example of the mark left on the civic and social landscape by our shared military history, and it was literally lying around at the foot of the British military presence in Ireland and now lies almost totally ignored by passers-by. Continue reading →

Posted in 19h century, 20th century, Archive, Battlefield Archaeology, Britain, Built Environment, decolonisation, Empire, First World War, Historian, Historiography, Ireland, Learning, Logistics, Social History, The Historian, Uncategorized, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

As British as the Irish themselves

Posted on 05/07/2016 by eamonntgardiner

Recently, in conversation with a colleague, I remarked upon a concept which I felt was pretty straightforward. Cut and dry even. That as part of the British home islands, pre-independence Ireland was disproportionally policed. Now it was, there is no … Continue reading →

Posted in 1916, 19h century, 20th century, Anglo-Irish War, Auxiliary Division, Black and Tans, Britain, Commemoration, Conflict, decolonisation, Empire, First World War, Insurgency, Ireland, Memory, Northern Ireland, Policing, Revisionism, revolutionary, Royal Irish Constabulary | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

BBC News: Pub pictures saved from London skip displayed online

Posted on 20/01/2016 by eamonntgardiner

Pub pictures saved from London skip displayed online – http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-35031879

Posted in 20th century, Archive, Art, Britain, Built Environment, Historiography, Memory, Place | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

How male and female bathing suits got smaller and smaller

Posted on 22/05/2015 by eamonntgardiner

How male and female bathing suits got smaller and then bigger again goes to highlight what I believe to be the cyclical nature of human history. Simply put old ideas that were once seen as practical and popular go out … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Britain, Clothing, Historian, Pop Art, Social History, women | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Lasting Impression

Posted on 20/04/2015 by eamonntgardiner

http://edition.cnn.com/2015/04/06/world/feat-wwi-graffiti-found/ From earliest times man has sought to leave his/her mark on the eternal world. For many this has taken the route of children, achievements, success, monuments. But for others, men and women of more modest circumstances this has taken … Continue reading →

Posted in 1916, Art, Battlefield Archaeology, Britain, Empire, First World War, France, Historian, Logistics, Memory, Messines Ridge, Organisational History, Post Traumatic Stress, PTSD, Siege Warfare, United States, US Armed Forces, Vietnam War | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Broad Church too far?

Posted on 13/04/2015 by eamonntgardiner

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/taoiseach-should-visit-graves-of-british-soldiers-killed-in-1916-says-ex-tory-mp-1.2169232 Last week I wrote about the ‘bandwagoneering’ of the Easter Rising. This week’s blog is in a similar vein. The Commanding Officer of the Sherwood Forresters (Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment), some of the soldiers who helped suppress the Rising, … Continue reading →

Posted in 1916, 20th century, Anglo-Irish War, Britain, Commemoration, Conflict, decolonisation, Empire, First World War, Ireland, Memory | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Questionable Memories and Bandwagoneers

Posted on 05/04/2015 by eamonntgardiner

Memorial to British in 1916 centenary http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/memorial-to-british-in-1916-centenary-321506.html?utm_source=androidapp&utm_medium=share&utm_campaign=sharebutton The difficult thing about Irish history is memory. Well perhaps memory and the bandwagon. Little know fact but the GPO was like the Tardis; it’s garrison during the 1916 Rising held thousands of … Continue reading →

Posted in 1916, 20th century, Anglo-Irish War, Auxiliary Division, Britain, Commemoration, Conflict, decolonisation, Empire, First World War, Historiography, Ireland, Memory, Oglaigh na hEireann, Revisionism, revolutionary, Royal Irish Constabulary | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

How to spot a Russian bomber

Posted on 05/03/2015 by eamonntgardiner

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-magazine-monitor-31537705

Posted in 20th century, Britain, Cold War, Conflict, Soviet, spying, United States, US Armed Forces | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

To Put Down a Marker

Posted on 02/03/2015 by eamonntgardiner

 was an officer in the Royal Irish Constabulary, a proud Tipperary man and an international rugby player (he played the Irish rugby team which met Wales in 1881; the Welsh won their first ever international match that day, 2 Goals … Continue reading →

Posted in 20th century, Anglo-Irish War, Britain, Commemoration, Conflict, decolonisation, Empire, Historiography, Memory, Organisational History | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

There can be only One

Posted on 09/01/2015 by eamonntgardiner

The unkillable soldier http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-30685433 The image that comes to most people’s mind when they imagine veterans, is that of venerable old men (and increasingly women), sitting with their medals showing, usually in a quiet room. Generally they are alone… The … Continue reading →

Posted in 20th century, Britain, Commemoration, Conflict, First World War, Historian, Historiography, Insurgency, Ireland, Irish Defence Forces, Memory, Oglaigh na hEireann, Palestine, Post Traumatic Stress, PTSD, Revisionism, Second World War, United States, US Armed Forces, women | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What should Uruguay do with its Nazi eagle?

Posted on 15/12/2014 by eamonntgardiner

What should Uruguay do with its Nazi eagle? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-30471063

Posted in Art, Britain, Conflict, Empire, Second World War | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The forgotten women of the ‘war in the East’

Posted on 20/10/2014 by eamonntgardiner

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-29665232

Posted in Britain, Empire, Memory, Second World War, women | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Limerick’s Military & Logistical Heritage

Posted on 15/10/2014 by eamonntgardiner

Limerick, my own adopted city, has a proud and even some would say defiant history of involvement in military affairs. From the Williamite siege of the city, to this year’s 75th anniversary celebration of the Irish Army’s Limerick based 12th … Continue reading →

Posted in Britain, Conflict, Empire, First World War, Ireland, Irish Defence Forces, Logistics, Oglaigh na hEireann, Organisational History | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

How Nigeria turned Her Majesty’s prison into a place of pleasure

Posted on 17/09/2014 by eamonntgardiner

  The British had quite the habit of exporting convicts to their colonies, sometimes to work in forced labour, sometimes for penal servitude made all the worse by its great distance from loved ones and familiarity. Indeed the word ‘exported’ … Continue reading →

Posted in Britain, decolonisation, Empire, Insurgency, women | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Irish Home Rule and the First World War: A Video History by Ronan McGreevy

Posted on 25/08/2014 by eamonntgardiner

Irish Home Rule and the First World War   This fantastic short video introduction to the topic of Irish Home Rule and the impact which the advent of the First World War had on it, is brought to you by … Continue reading →

Posted in Britain, Commemoration, Conflict, decolonisation, Empire, First World War, Historiography, Ireland, Memory | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The ‘lost’ poetry of World War One

Posted on 10/08/2014 by eamonntgardiner

The ‘lost’ poetry of World War One http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-28705819 Britain and the Western World was preparing for the Great War for well over thirty years, so it comes as little surprise that the media was ready to play it’s part. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Britain, First World War, France, Memory | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

A Positive-Negative Development

Posted on 04/08/2014 by eamonntgardiner

    Nationwide Photographic Programme   Last Wednesday night’s Nationwide special brought to us by the Irish national broadcaster, rté, showcased a series of photographs which detail the lives lived by Irishmen and women who volunteered to serve in the Great … Continue reading →

Posted in Britain, Commemoration, First World War, France, Ireland, Memory | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Comdt Padraic Kennedy

Posted on 01/08/2014 by eamonntgardiner

Comdt Padraic Kennedy speaks on his role as OiC (Office in Charge) of the Military Archives, the http://www.bureauofmilitaryhistory.ie website and the release of the Military Witness Statements which ushered in the Long Decade of Commemoration.

Posted in 1916, 20th century, Archive, Britain, Commemoration, First World War, Historiography, Insurgency, Ireland, Irish Defence Forces, Oglaigh na hEireann, revolutionary, Royal Irish Constabulary | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

World War One battlefields 100 years on

Posted on 01/08/2014 by eamonntgardiner

World War One battlefields 100 years on http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-28461026

Posted in Britain, Commemoration, First World War, France, Memory, United States | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Beyond the Balmoral: Major Claude Raul Champion de Crespigny

Posted on 31/07/2014 by eamonntgardiner

  http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/yourpaintings/paintings/major-claude-raul-champion-de-crespigny-18781941-5th-bt-49166   A portrait of a fine gentleman and Auxiliary Policeman, Claude Raul Champion de Crespigny, 5th Baronet.   This family had an interesting time of it. From the end of the Second World War, the baronetcy passed three … Continue reading →

Posted in Auxiliary Division, Britain, First World War, Royal Irish Constabulary | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Nationwide Once Again

Posted on 30/07/2014 by eamonntgardiner

Last night rté, Ireland’s national television station, broadcast the first of three shows dedicated to the tensions and histories of the men and women who gave their lives in what would become known as the First World War.  The Nationwide programme … Continue reading →

Posted in 1916, 20th century, Britain, Commemoration, Conflict, Empire, First World War, Ireland, Memory, Northern Ireland | Leave a comment

Royal Crest at NUI Galway

Posted on 27/07/2014 by eamonntgardiner

Here are a few pictures which I took some time ago of a disused royal crest carved ‘in the round’ at the National University of Ireland Galway. As you can see from the relief detail and also the lion and … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Britain, Empire, Ireland, Memory | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

An Irishman’s Diary on Hubert Gough, an enigmatic general

Posted on 21/07/2014 by eamonntgardiner

http://www.irishtimes.com/culture/heritage/an-irishman-s-diary-on-hubert-gough-an-enigmatic-general-1.1858372

Posted in Britain, Conflict, Empire, First World War, France, Ireland, Memory, Northern Ireland, Second World War | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Trench construction in World War I

Posted on 14/07/2014 by eamonntgardiner

Originally posted on Diana Overbey:
When people think of World War I, one of the first images that comes to mind is the trench.  Here’s a look into how these major features were constructed, as well as their impact on…

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Alba go Bráth?

Posted on 02/07/2014 by eamonntgardiner

Everyone Scottish child and adult knows that the Battle of Bannockburn was a famous victory for the Scottish over their persecutors the hated English. Or so the popular story goes…. But what was the Battle of Bannockburn really about? What … Continue reading →

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Rorke’s Drift heroes Immortalised

Posted on 23/06/2014 by eamonntgardiner

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-27762901 It is quite sad to think that even though a tremendous action (is battle the right word here?) took place, scores killed and wounded on both sides, heroism unparalleled in modern history and what are we left with? A film, … Continue reading →

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“Black and Tans” in Palestine

Posted on 16/06/2014 by eamonntgardiner

Ireland was only the beginning for the Black and Tans…. Continue reading →

Posted in Auxiliary Division, Britain, Conflict, First World War, Insurgency, Palestine, Royal Irish Constabulary | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Countess Markievicz’s Court Martial records

Posted on 10/06/2014 by eamonntgardiner

Constance Gore Booth aka Countess Markievicz is listed in this record from the National Archives of the United Kingdom, Kew. She was an active member of the Irish Citizen Army before and during the Easter Rising of 1916 and afterwards … Continue reading →

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Countess Markievicz’s Court Martial records

Posted on 10/06/2014 by eamonntgardiner

Constance Gore Booth aka Countess Markievicz is listed in this record from the National Archives of the United Kingdom, Kew. She was an active member of the Irish Citizen Army before and during the Easter Rising of 1916 and afterwards … Continue reading →

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Allez des Cauchemars

Posted on 05/06/2014 by eamonntgardiner

France’s forgotten Blitz http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-27703724 Today marks the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Occupied France. The actual landings themselves were preceeded by a massive aerial bombardment of the Nazi held French coastal areas of Normandy. As many as 50,000 … Continue reading →

Posted in Britain, Commemoration, Conflict, France, Second World War, United States | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Young Historians and WWI

Posted on 05/06/2014 by eamonntgardiner

Young historians bring past to life for competition http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/young-historians-bring-past-to-life-for-competition-270766.html?utm_source=androidapp&utm_medium=share&utm_campaign=sharebutton

Posted in Britain, First World War, Ireland | Leave a comment

Rising Anger

Posted on 26/05/2014 by eamonntgardiner

http://www.independent.ie/opinion/analysis/centenary-will-breathe-life-into-old-rising-myths-30263185.html   There is an unspoken hatred among historians, especially military historians and that is the myth! Mythology in Irish life is a fantastic and wonderful thing; it has shaped our existence, our cultural history and even influenced how we … Continue reading →

Posted in 1916, Auxiliary Division, Britain, Commemoration, Conflict, decolonisation, Empire, First World War, Historiography, Insurgency, Ireland, Memory, Oglaigh na hEireann, Revisionism, revolutionary, Royal Irish Constabulary, women | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Necessity is the mother is of invention…

Posted on 22/05/2014 by eamonntgardiner

Ever wonder how the humble wristwatch was invented??? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-26935867

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The not so silent Killer…

Posted on 19/05/2014 by eamonntgardiner

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-27365003   PTSD or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is affecting more British veterans than ever before. A British charity says that it’s treating over 4,500 veterans, the greatest number ever presenting with symptoms consistent with the affliction, the greatest number in … Continue reading →

Posted in Britain, Conflict, First World War, Memory, Post Traumatic Stress, PTSD | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

College prepared to return NI tapes

Posted on 06/05/2014 by eamonntgardiner

College prepared to return NI tapes http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-27286543 A very worrying possible direction for archival material. Regrettably the highly emotive case of the McConvilles could ignite passions concerning the keeping of incindiary archival records. The difficulty for historians and especially historians … Continue reading →

Posted in Britain, Conflict, Insurgency, Memory, Northern Ireland | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Grave Injustice

Posted on 28/04/2014 by eamonntgardiner

Last week a number of graves belonging to First World War veterans were damaged in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The motive for the attack is being ascribed to mere thuggish vandalism. But perhaps the answer is somewhat more disturbing. The attack … Continue reading →

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Polly put the kettle on…no wait, don’t, no…do!

Posted on 21/04/2014 by eamonntgardiner

  The title of this blog may be somewhat cryptic for some readers who did not grow up with Anglo-Irish nursery rhymes! It describing how a little girl, Polly, sets about making tea for her mother, step-by-step. What has this … Continue reading →

Posted in Britain, First World War, Insurgency, revolutionary | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Long Long Decade….

Posted on 14/04/2014 by eamonntgardiner

  http://m.rte.ie/news/touch//2014/0328/605079-cumann-na-mban-centenary/ The Western World is for the next few years contemplating a very important issue. Almost one hundred years ago, millions of men (and some women) were sent abroad to fight in a war that warped and forever changed … Continue reading →

Posted in Britain, First World War, Uncategorized, women | Leave a comment

Survivors….of a kind….

Posted on 07/04/2014 by eamonntgardiner

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-26170799 The First World War was as it’s name suggests, a titanic thing. It was so monumental both in terms of human sacrifice and geography, that sometimes we as a species fail to grasp a subtle truth. Not all those … Continue reading →

Posted in Britain, First World War, Post Traumatic Stress | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Other Auxiliaries & Cumamn na mBan

Posted on 04/04/2014 by eamonntgardiner

Today at 3pm I will be giving a paper to the Women’s History Association of Ireland conference to commemorate the Centenary of the Irishwomen’s republican organisation, Cumann na mBan. My paper specifically will focus on the British governments attempts to … Continue reading →

Posted in Britain, espionage, First World War, Insurgency, spying | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Is Afghanistan really impossible to conquer?

Posted on 09/03/2014 by eamonntgardiner

Is Afghanistan really impossible to conquer? This piece by the BBC cogently sets forth the disquieting fact that Afghanistan is a place where foreign armies come to wither and leave. The British, Soviets and now ISAF all have failed to … Continue reading →

Posted in Britain, Cold War, Conflict, Empire, Insurgency, Soviet, United States | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

‘A bed to lie o…

Posted on 30/08/2013 by eamonntgardiner

‘A bed to lie on, and enough food to keep life in us to enable us to work, is all any of us should think of now.’ When Terence MacSwiney was attempting to keep the Irish Volunteers out of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Auxiliary Division, Britain, Conflict, First World War, Insurgency, Ireland, Memory, Royal Irish Constabulary, women | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment