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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“The Tans ordered me outside and told me I would be shot …”
A century ago, the women of Cumann na mBan played a critically important role in the Irish War of Independence, a role which has often been understated and overlooked. This
The War of Independence in Kerry – the Dracula connection
Research on the War of Independence in Kerry can throw up some extraordinary stories involving civilians who came close to being caught up in the vicious fighting between the forces
“Wipe them out for once and for all” – the Listry priest who stood against his bishop
Dan Allman’s brother: the formidable republican cleric, Fr Myles Allman of Rockfield Daniel Allman of Rockfield in the parish of Listry is one of best-known figures of the War of
The remarkable story of Annie Cronin of Cumann na mBan
One of the great benefits of the publication, in recent years, of new archive material from the Irish revolutionary period is the availability of the accounts of members of Cumann
Body parts were ‘strewn in all directions’ – the bloody climax of the Civil War in Kerry
There is little dispute that Kerry was the location of the many of the worst excesses of the Irish Civil War and that it was more acrimonious, divisive and protracted
The Kerry MP who won 99% of the vote
Jeremiah Daniel (JD) Sheehan was a national politician of some significance and holds an important place in the political record books. Born in Ards, Fossa near Killarney in the midst
The death of Joe Taylor of Glencar – 27 February 1921
A significant precursor to the Ballymacandy Ambush of June 1921 Next Saturday, 27 February, marks the centenary of the death of IRA member, Joseph (Joe) Taylor of Glencar. His death
‘Struck him violently in the mouth’ – the Kerry TD and the punch-up in the Dáil restaurant
John (Jack) Flynn was a very successful and long-serving TD for Kerry. A veteran of the War of Independence, he fought with the Sixth Battalion of the Kerry IRA and
Jeremiah O’Donovan Rossa – the Fenian leader’s connections with Milltown
The Fenian and Irish Republican Brotherhood leader, Jeremiah O’Donovan Rossa (1831-1915) holds a prominent position in the pantheon of Irish republican and nationalist leaders. Most known for his efforts on
‘Why are all the people talking about Dick Spring, Mommy?’
‘Why are all the people talking about Dick Spring, Mommy?’ a youngster asked her mother as they enjoyed lunch at a busy restaurant in the centre of Tralee. The chatter all
Paddy Cahill, revolutionary, newspaper editor and Kerry TD from 1921 to 1927
Patrick J (Paddy) Cahill from Tralee was a born at Caherina, Tralee in 1883. He attended Tralee CBS and was a contemporary of Éamon de Valera as a student at
