Sir Walter Raleigh was one of the most one of the most enigmatic adventurers, soldiers, scholars and courtiers to emerge in the Tudor Age. This essay looks at his multiple Irish connections, good and bad. Much of the information was gleaned from an excellent...
Sir Walter Raleigh will forever to be associated with the potato. It may even be true that he grew the first potatoes in Ireland at his home Myrtle Grove, Youghal. However, the first Englishman to discover potatoes was Thomas Harriot, a remarkable scientist who...
FOREWORD In January 2012, I set out to fill an ongoing gap in written knowledge as to how the Swifts of Kenagh, Co. Longford (or Streete, Co. Westmeath), were connected to the Swift family of whom Jonathan Swift, the celebrated Dean of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, was a...
THE KINNEARS FROM BALMERINO TO BALLYBAY Arms: Sable, on a bend or, three martlets (or canary birds) vert. Crest: Two anchors, saltier ways, proper. Motto: I live in hope. WHAT’S IN A NAME? There have always been numerous variations to the spelling of the name with de...
The story of the Finn family who have lived in the townland o f Drummin, near St. Mullins, Co. Carlow, since at least the 18th century. William Finn served with the United Irishmen in 1798, while his son John, a farmer, assisted the Poor Law Commissioners in the...
