William Morris in Ireland

Sir,—PatrickMaume highlights an interesting account of the 1886 visit to Ireland byWilliam Morris (‘letters’, HI Summer 2000) in response to my article inthe previous issue (HI Spring 2000). I suspect he is right to be ratherdubious of Stephen Gwynn’s reminiscence which was written fully fortyyears after the episode he so vividly recounts. Gwynn, who seemsto … Read more

Was Dracula an Irishman?

Sir,–Bob Curran, in his article ‘Was Dracula an Irishman?’ (HI Summer 2000), cites my joint study of the Irish background, The Undead: the legend of Bram Stoker and Dracula, written under my pseudonym, Peter Tremayne, together with Peter Haining (Constable 1997). In the light of some subsequent research we might append a footnote which will … Read more

The Presbyterian Church in Ireland: a popular history, Finlay Holmes. (Columba Press, £7.99) ISBN 1856072843 Ulster-American Religion: episodes in the history of a cultural tradition, David Livingstone and Ronald A. Wells, University of Notre Da

Professor Finlay Holmes has put us in his debt once again by telling the often very complex story of Irish Presbyterianism in a narrative which is itself a model of clarity. In this book he returns to some themes which he has treated of before in articles in learned journals but which the general reader … Read more

History of the Diocese of Derry

History of the Diocese of Derry, Henry A. Jefferies and Ciaran Devlin (Four Courts Press, hardback £19.95) ISBN 18512824901 Religious Renewal and Reform in the Pastoral  Ministry of Bishop James Doyle of Kildare and Lieghlin, 1786-1834 ,Thomas McGrath (Four Courts Press, £35) ISBN 1851823719 Politics, Interdenominational Relations and Education in the Public Ministry of Bishop … Read more

Euntes Docete Omnes Gentes

Irish missionary effort in America began before the Famine, when most Irish immigrants were non-Catholic, but it matured quickly thereafter between 1845 and 1900 when approximately four million Irish, predominantly Catholic, left their homeland for the United States. Prior to the Famine, priests from the Irish colleges of Spain, especially Salamanca, came to serve in … Read more