Sir, —I enjoyed Ms Kahn’s account of the Yelverton affair (HI 13.1,Jan./Feb. 2005), but may I correct some unexpected inaccuracies? TheHon. (William) Charles Yelverton’s date of birth (‘c. 1820’) is easilyfound in standard sources as 27 September 1824. He was not ‘the secondson’ but the third and eldest surviving of the four sons of the … Read more
The story of the Waterford shipyards highlights the role of Quakers as entrepreneurs, and particularly as risk-takers, who were willing to fund new enterprises, providing rare economic relief to underdeveloped areas. Their shipbuilding ventures in Waterford were as technologically advanced as any similar development of the day. Shipbuilding in Waterford is richly illustrated and, coupled … Read more
Irish women and nationalism: soldiers, new women and wicked hags Louise Ryan and Margaret Ward (eds) (Irish Academic Press, €25 paperback) ISBN 0716527677This book explores Irish women’s engagement with nationalism from a variety of perspectives, including history, sociology, cultural and language studies, law, anthropology and community-based research. The editors, Louise Ryan and Margaret Ward, who … Read more
Ireland and Scotland: culture and society 1700–2000 Liam McIlvanney and Ray Ryan (eds) (Four Courts Press, €55) ISBN 1851828753 When Dominic Behan penned his little ditty ‘The sea, oh the sea, grá geal mo chroi, Long may it roll between England and me. God help the poor Scotsman, he’ll never be free. Thank God we’re … Read more
DUIGNAN, Mary Ann (‘Chicago May’) (1871–1929), criminal and prostitute, described by contemporary tabloid journalists as ‘the most dangerous woman in the world’, was born on 26 December 1871 in Edenmore townland, Dromard parish, Ballinamuck, Co. Longford, the eldest among two daughters and three sons of Francis Duignan and Anne Duignan (née Gray); the pet name … Read more