Dr Ciarán McDonnell

Martello Tower, Skerries

Napoleonic signal tower, Slieve Liag, Donegal

Painting of the Battle of Trafalgar by William Clarkson Stanfield.

It was great fun to take part in a panel discussion on the Battle of Trafalgar this week, ahead of its 220th anniversary, on Newstalk's Talking History show. I spoke in particular about the impact of the battle on Ireland and the (many) Irish in the Royal Navy. open.spotify.com/episode/6ew8...

England Expects: Turner's monumental tribute to Trafalgar returns to public display To mark the 220th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar, J.M.W. Turner’s monumental painting of the conflict will return to public view, following more than a year in storage.

To mark the 220th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar, J.M.W. Turner’s monumental painting of the conflict will return to public view, following more than a year in storage.

www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/eng...

Need Watford to move up next! 🐝 🐝 🐝

Tickets are now available for ‘Ireland and the American Revolution: 250th Anniversary Perspectives’. The conference will take place @tlrhub.bsky.social on the 9-10 October. For booking and more information use the link below.

www.eventbrite.ie/e/ireland-an...

Burt Castle, County Donegal, Ireland, 1601. Catalogue reference: TNA MPF 1/335 (2)

image of Neil Johnston

This Fri, 26 Sept: Join @nejohnst.bsky.social, Head of Early Modern Records @nationalarchives.gov.uk.web.brid.gy, for "Ireland 1485–1798: colonial laboratory?"

www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/whats-on/eve...

Eighteenth-Century Clickbait...

QUB History Seminar tomorrow at 4pm BST

I was delighted to present at the 35th Irish Conference of Historians @maynoothuniversity.ie @irishhistorians.bsky.social It was a pleasure to be part of a stimulating panel on inner lives in the long eighteenth century, with fascinating insights and discussion from colleagues!

A ‘Fair Chance’? The Catholic Irish Brigade in the British Service, 1793–1798 - Ciarán McDonnell, 2016 The Irish Brigade in the British service, formed in the 1790s, was composed of Irish Catholic soldiers, who had recently regained official permission to serve i...

You're welcome, and thank you! I have, my very first article in fact was on the Brigade. journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...

Really enjoyed your paper Joel, made me want to revisit the historiography debates!

The NeoGothic buildings of the South Campus of Maynooth University, also St Patrick's College Maynooth, framed by tall trees in the sunshine and bright blue skies behind.

I had a great day today at the 35th Irish Conference of Historians, catching up with old colleagues and meeting new ones too. An incredibly varied programme, everything from Italian futurism to ex-RIC in the Free State. Thanks to all for organising @irishhistorians.bsky.social @maynoothuniversity.ie

Nice to see my guide to the Medieval Walled Towns of Meath feature in the latest edition of the Walled Town Crier, focusing on Trim in particular.
#medieval #skystorians
irishwalledtownsnetwork.ie/e-zine/

Only two days left to see this fantastic exhibition! Get down to the Solstice Arts Centre in Navan on Friday or Saturday. @railwayarch.bsky.social @irishrail.bsky.social

Exhibition to mark 175 years since railway came to Navan An exhibition to mark 175 years since the railway came to Navan, Co Meath, will go on public display today.

An exhibition to mark 175 years since the railway came to Navan, Co Meath, will go on public display today.

Turas speisialta, 1977 leis an Cumann Caomhnaithe Iarnróid na hÉireann. www.steamtrainsireland.com/members/gall...

Only a handful of tickets left for the lecture, make sure to book!
#HeritageWeek2025 #skystorians

Preparing for my (& @zwhitehistory.bsky.social, @graemecallister.bsky.social, & friends!) event on 11 Oct 2025 at Apsley House in London where we'll have a #Waterloo display & talk for Black History Month about those African and Afro-Caribbean born soldiers who fought in that great battle #history

Would anyone be interested in doing a #BSECS2026 panel on Stanley Kubrick’s ‘Barry Lyndon’ (1975)?

Good to see you Stephen!

175 Years of Navan Railway, free exhibition at Solstice Arts Centre Navan 20th-24th August for Heritage Week. I curated this with Navan & District Historical Society. There'll be photos and original drawings on display. Book your free place for launch & lecture solsticeartscentre.ie/event/175-ye...

Sketch portrait of General Daniel Charles O'Connell of the French Army. Daniel is dressed in his military uniform.

I also have a soft spot for the wider family, especially Daniel's uncle, Daniel Charles O'Connell, who was part of the Irish Brigade in the French army and masterminded the Irish Brigade in the British Army. 2/2 #danieloconnell #derrynane #irishhistory #skystorians

The bottom part of an old letter, signed "Your obedient servant, Daniel O'Connell."

Happy 250th birthday to Daniel O'Connell, born #OTD in 1775. I recently wrapped up a project that included looking through a lot of his letters and what really struck me was his character; warm & affectionate with family & friends, determined & passionate with his colleagues in their campaigns. 1/2

New History Book Series Call for Proposals: Routledge Studies in Eighteenth- Century Cultures and Societies - BSECS Series Editors: Elaine Chalus, University of Liverpool, UK and Deborah Simonton, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark Routledge Editor: Max Novick The long eighteenth century sits as a pivotal poin...

***CALL FOR PROPOSALS***
Routledge Studies in #18thC Cultures & Societies (eds. @profelainechalus.bsky.social & Deborah Simonton) seeks proposals for book-length studies on aspects of British, European, or transnational culture and society c.1680-1850. Full details: www.bsecs.org.uk/news-and-eve...

Oasis playing to 90,000 people in Wembley Stadium. The view from high in the stands as the house lights are dimmed and phone lights are held up during the playing of Wonderwall.

What a show. What a band.
#Oasis25

Codes of Silence | Jack Sheehan Patrick Radden Keefe’s bestselling 2019 book “Say Nothing” has been adapted into a miniseries. It repeats the sins of its source material.

I haven't seen it, but found this review quite interesting.
thebaffler.com/latest/codes...

It's well worth a visit. St Albans in general is a very nice place to amble around, especially for Roman and medieval stuff.

A compilation of 32 covers of books about the 18th century. You find the whole list by following the link in the skeet

Enjoy reading about #18thc history in July!

Here is a list of new #nonfiction #books about the 18th century scheduled for this month: regency-explorer.net/new-releases/ - updated! -

#Regency #Napoleon #history #JaneAusten #read

I had a great time with @andnapoleon.bsky.social discussing l'Expédition d'Irlande, one of the great 'What Ifs' of #IrishHistory.
#18thC #skystorians

Thanks Keith!

Sounds interesting! I always have a look at his crypt whenever I'm in St Albans Abbey.