Notes on Mullingar, County Westmeath

Notes on Mullingar, County Westmeath

Short histories taking in Henry VIII’s creation of the county, Jonathan Swift’s connections, Peg Plunkett’s life as a courtesan, Mary Molesworth’s imprisonment, John Wesley’s Methodist influence, and James Joyce and J.P. Donleavy’s literary contributions, amongst...
Silken Thomas FitzGerald’s Rebellion, 1534-1536

Silken Thomas FitzGerald’s Rebellion, 1534-1536

In 1534, Silken Thomas FitzGerald flung down his Sword of State and renounced his allegiance to Henry VIII. This was the opening gambit of a rebellion in which FitzGerald attempted to capture Dublin Castle, only to be executed in London, along with five of his uncles,...