Owen O'Shea's Blog
Occasional meanderings and insights into Kerry’s past with a focus on electioneering, election results, key political figures, political culture, and the dramatic ups and downs of politics in the county over the past century.
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New biography of revolutionary leader Austin Stack
‘Austin Stack, truly one of Ireland’s bravest and best.’ So said an unnamed mourner of one of the central Irish republican figures from the Irish revolutionary period, one whose contribution
History of Kerry village to be re-published in 40th anniversary edition
The first ever publication to delve into the history of Milltown is to be republished on the fortieth anniversary of the death of its author. “Milltown: Memories of Other Days”
Listowel Writers Week: Owen O’Shea in conversation with Catriona Crowe
From Bullets to Ballots: Owen O’Shea, in conversation with Catriona Crowe The Civil War has long shaped and defined Irish politics and cast a long shadow over twentieth-century Ireland. The
The Blueblouses : a forgotten women’s organisation
Over 12,000 Irish women joined the Blueshirts in 1930s Ireland, including many in #Kerry. Mná na Léinte Gorma uncovers their hidden story-of power, protest, and politics-in a time of turmoil.
Taoiseach opens new centenary exhibition on Fianna Fáil in Kerry
Exhibition at Kerry Library marks early years of the party in Kerry constituency The Taoiseach and leader of Fianna Fáil, Micheál Martin, has officially opened a new exhibition on the
New exhibition on early years of Fianna Fáil in Kerry
Centenary exhibition on early years of the party in Kerry constituency An exhibition on the early years of Fianna Fáil in County Kerry will go on public display at Kerry
‘The Mussolini of Ballymacelligott’: violence during election campaigns in Kerry in the 1920s
The Civil War in Kerry was more bitter, divisive and prolonged than most of the rest of the country. It was inevitable, therefore, that those divisions would come to a
‘Body snatchers’: the Kerry priest who was buried four times
Fr John Quill was the parish priest of Milltown from 1825 to 1841. A native of Listowel, he had studied for the priesthood at Maynooth and was ordained to the
From Bullets to Ballots: coming soon from UCD Press
Civil War politics has defined the Irish political landscape for generations. The parties which emerged from the divisions over the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921 dominated elections for decades. In County
The people “are wretchedly poor”: new data on life in Kerry from 1800 censuses
Between 1851 and 1855, a total of 39,520 people emigrated from Kerry – with the intention of not returning – that is the equivalent today to the population of Tralee and Killarney combined.
6,000 years of local history told in spectacular new film
A new film which showcases the spectacular and unique history and heritage of the Milltown area is to be launched at the end of April. ‘Milltown: The Story of a
How I fulfilled the dream of an Old IRA veteran
An old tape recording from 1984 reveals an old republican’s ambition to publish his life story, which is now being fulfilled four decades later When I first heard his voice