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Puff the Magic Hater @mskellymhayes.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

Owning a lot of books is great. Packing and moving with a lot of books is not great.

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Dr Ciarán McDonnell @drciaranmcdonnell.bsky.social · 21/06/2025

If you'd like to know more, I highly recommend this book, which I was lucky enough to have contributed a chapter to, on the battle's aftermath. The book brings lots of fresh insight into the battle from different disciplines. 7/8 www.fourcourtspress.ie/books/2021/v...

fourcourtspress.ie

Four Courts Press | Vinegar Hill

The last stand of the Wexford Rebels of 1798 by Ronan O'Flaherty & Jacqui Hynes, editors

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Dr Ciarán McDonnell @drciaranmcdonnell.bsky.social · 21/06/2025

On this day in 1798 the United Irishmen of Wexford were decisively defeated at Vinegar Hill by a large government army. A short 🧵on the Donegal Militia in the battle. #18thC #IrishHistory 1/8

The ruined stump of the windmill on Vinegar Hill, where the rebels were encamped. The town of Enniscorthy is visible below the hill.

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Dictionary of Irish Biography @dib.ie · 04/06/2026

#DIBLives 'He acted from the greatest, the purest motives.' Betrayed by Francis Magan for a £1000 reward, Lord Edward Fitzgerald was shot in the shoulder while being arrested & died of his injuries #OTD 1798. His capture dealt a serious blow to the United Irish leadership. www.dib.ie/biography/fi...

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Dr Ciarán McDonnell @drciaranmcdonnell.bsky.social · 31/05/2025

William Burton Conyngham, colonel of the Donegal Militia, died #OTD in 1796. William was a very interesting figure involved in politics, economics, the military & the arts, including a founding member of the @ria.ie #18thC #IrishHistory

Portrait of William Burton Conyngham in his later years. Credit: National Portait Gallery Scotland.

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Dr Ciarán McDonnell @drciaranmcdonnell.bsky.social · 22/05/2025

On this day in 1455 the War of the Roses began with the First Battle of St Albans. King Henry VI and his army held the town centre, and the Duke of York's army attacked from the east. Fierce fight took place here on Sopwell Lane, the Yorkists attack here led by the Earl of Salisbury. 1/6

Looking west along Sopwell Lane, with a very old half-timber house to the left.

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Dr Ciarán McDonnell @drciaranmcdonnell.bsky.social · 21/05/2025

Daniel Charles had left the Brigade by this point. He returned to France during the Peace of Amiens but then found himself under house arrest. With the Restoration he was able to retire, with two pensions: as a colonel in the British army & a general in the French army. 7/7

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Dr Ciarán McDonnell @drciaranmcdonnell.bsky.social · 21/05/2025

However Protestant opposition to this Catholic brigade meant that the regiments had to serve outside of Britain, Ireland or even Europe. Pitt's Irish Brigade was forced to garrison British possessions in the West Indies and Nova Scotia, and most were lost to tropical disease. 6/7

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Dr Ciarán McDonnell @drciaranmcdonnell.bsky.social · 21/05/2025

After the royalist defeats he sailed to London, where he lobbied & was eventually successful in convincing William Pitt to authorise the recreation of the Irish Brigade in British Army, using Franco Irish émigré officers & Irish Catholic rank and file. 5/7 journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1...

journals.sagepub.com

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...

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Dr Ciarán McDonnell @drciaranmcdonnell.bsky.social · 21/05/2025

Daniel served in Minorca (1781) & saved the life of the Comte d'Artois (future Charles X) at the Siege of Gibraltar in 1782. Initially he tried to ride out the storm of the Revolution & was appointed to brevet general, but he eventually left & joined the Army of the Princes. 4/7

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Dr Ciarán McDonnell @drciaranmcdonnell.bsky.social · 21/05/2025

Daniel Charles emigrated & joined the French army in 1761, initially in the Royal Swedish Regiment, then the Irish Brigade, back to the Swedish and finally being appointed to the Salm-Salm German regiment. 3/7

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Dr Ciarán McDonnell @drciaranmcdonnell.bsky.social · 21/05/2025

Daniel Charles was uncle to Daniel 'the Liberator' O'Connell and part of the O'Connell clan of Derrynane Co. Kerry who had built their fortune on smuggling to France and Spain in the 18thC. Daniel Charles' brother was Maurice 'Hunting Cap' O'Connell, & clan patriarch. 2/7

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Dr Ciarán McDonnell @drciaranmcdonnell.bsky.social · 21/05/2025

Born #OTD in 1745, Comte Daniel Charles O'Connell. A career officer in the Bourbon army who left France during the Revolution, he masterminded the new but ultimately ill-fated Catholic Irish Brigade in the British Army. #18thC #WildGeese #IrishDiaspora 1/7

Sketch of Colonel Daniel Charles O'Connell

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Dr Ciarán McDonnell @drciaranmcdonnell.bsky.social · 11/05/2025

Fontenoy was the high water mark for the Irish Brigade in the French army, and was evoked many times in later nationalist rhetoric, right up to the early 20thC. It still is to an extent, but has been superceded by later events. My thanks to @ria.ie for helping fund this research. #RIAgrants 6/6

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Dr Ciarán McDonnell @drciaranmcdonnell.bsky.social · 11/05/2025

Irish also fought on the Allied side, incl. the 6th Inniskilling Dragoons. Some of the Irish Brigade would end up facing the same regiments (& Cumberland) a year later at Culloden. Lt Col Walter Stapleton, promoted to Brig. General after Fontenoy, would be killed at Culloden. 5/6

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Dr Ciarán McDonnell @drciaranmcdonnell.bsky.social · 11/05/2025

The Irish Brigade lost 1/4 of its officers & 1/3 of its men at Fontenoy, one of the bloodiest battles of the decade. The Irish Brigade captured the only Allied colours that day (later burned in Les Invalides by Napoleon's men in 1814 to deny its possession by the Russians). 4/6

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Dr Ciarán McDonnell @drciaranmcdonnell.bsky.social · 11/05/2025

Fontenoy was quickly framed as a distinctly French (royal) victory, despite Marshal Maurice de Saxe being the real architect of victory, and Voltaire's poem in praise of the victory ignored the Irish Brigade in favour of French troops. 3/6

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Dr Ciarán McDonnell @drciaranmcdonnell.bsky.social · 11/05/2025

The French were in a strong position: the regiments of Lally, Dillon, Roth, Bulkeley, Clare & Berwick (c 3800 men) were on the French left (no. 9), & led an important counterattack when the British column penetrated the French first line. A British victory turned into defeat. 2/6

Map of the Battle of Fontenoy (National Army Museum, London)

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Dr Ciarán McDonnell @drciaranmcdonnell.bsky.social · 11/05/2025

OTD in 1745 the Irish Brigade led a charge at Fontenoy, helping secure victory for the French over an allied army led by Britain's Duke of Cumberland. Louis XV wrote the next day describing the battle that restored France's military prestige.(📷 NAM London) #WildGeese #18thC #c18th #Jacobite (1/6)

Painting of the Irish Brigade presenting captured colours to king Louis.

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NTS-Archaeology @nts-archaeology.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

Our illicit whisky still bit is featured at 25mins in to the programme www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...

bbc.co.uk

Reporting Scotland - News at Seven: 11/05/2026

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Dr Ciarán McDonnell @drciaranmcdonnell.bsky.social · 09/05/2025

Nathaniel Clements, Viscount Clements, born #OTD in 1768. A prominent landowner in Donegal, he succeeded to command the Donegal Militia after the death of its first colonel, William B. Conyngham. Clements was a Whig MP for Carrick & Leitrim in the late 1790s. #MilHist #18thC 1/4

Black and white half portrait of Nathaniel Clements in his militia uniform.

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Matthew L Reznicek @drreznicek.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

Quick reminder: when someone says, “May the Force be with you,” the Vatican updated the response to be more in line with the OG Latin. Don’t forget to say “and also with your spirit.”

media.tenor.com

yoda and obi wan are standing next to each other in a dark room

Alt: yoda and obi wan are standing next to each other as ghosts

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Dr Ciarán McDonnell @drciaranmcdonnell.bsky.social · 19/04/2026

A lovely stroll (and climb) around Bective Abbey this morning.

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Darren S. Layne @funkyplaid.bsky.social · 30/03/2026

As part of the #JacobiteNations workshop this past weekend, we were treated to a special viewing of some of @uoacollections.bsky.social's gorgeous artifacts. Here I'm gingerly holding a pristine scroll butt pistol believed to be owned by Col John Roy Stuart during the '45. #museums #scottishhistory

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Neil Jackman @neiljackman.bsky.social · 29/03/2026

We have a new episode of Amplify Archaeology Podcast out today! I was delighted to be joined by Dr Daniel Curley as we discussed the Uí Chellaig lords of Uí Maine and Tír Maine, and the landscapes of Medieval Gaelic Ireland. #Ireland #SpéirGhorm #Archaeology 🏺 #IrishHistory #IrishPodcasts

A promotional image for Amplify Archaeology Podcast featuring the ruins of a medieval priory at Clontuskert

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Dr Ciarán McDonnell @drciaranmcdonnell.bsky.social · 30/03/2026

Looking forward to giving this lecture in just over a week's time at Waterford Central Library! Pre booking essential. #skystorians #waterfordhistory #militaryhistory waterfordlibraries.ie/from-waterfo...

Poster advertising the lecture 'From Waterford to Waterloo: Irish soldiers in the Age of Revolutions.' with Dr Ciarán McDonnell in Central Library on Wednesday 8th April from 6:30 – 7:30 PM.
FREE EVENT – BOOKING REQUIRED

For bookings and information please contact Central Library on: 051 849975 or email centrallibrary@waterfordcouncil.ie.

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Sarah Roddy @seroddy.bsky.social · 17/02/2026

Fellowship opportunity in Dublin for early modernists:

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Dr Ciarán McDonnell @drciaranmcdonnell.bsky.social · 17/02/2026

The Second Battle of St Albans, fought on this day in 1461. A short battlefield tour.... @stalbansmuseums.bsky.social #WarOfTheRoses

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Tuatha @tuatha.ie · 23/12/2025

Giant Irish Deer • Megaloceros Giganteus If only santa had a team of these magnificent animals pulling his sleigh! When fully grown, they stood at around 2m at the shoulder and weighed over a tonne. #Ireland #SpéirGhorm #Irish

The skeletons of three Giant Irish Deer on display in the National History Museum in Dublin

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Dr Ciarán McDonnell @drciaranmcdonnell.bsky.social · 20/12/2025

Delighted to attend the official launch of my #Medieval Walled Towns of Meath booklet this week. Thanks to everyone at Meath County Council and Abarta Heritage, and to The Heritage Council for their support. PDF can be downloaded via the link below. 1/2 www.meath.ie/council/coun...

Meath County Council staff and Heritage Council staff at the launch of the Walled Towns booklet.

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Niamh NicGhabhann Coleman @niamhroisin.bsky.social · 14/11/2025

TFW your extremely niche area of academic research is in the news! A 🧵 on some aspects of the building formerly known as the Pro-Cathedral (or the Metropolitan chapel as it was called first!) www.rte.ie/news/ireland...

rte.ie

Pro-Cathedral designated Dublin's Catholic cathedral

Pope Leo XIV has designated St Mary's Pro Cathedral in Dublin as the city's official Catholic Cathedral, becoming the first in the capital for 500 years.

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Dr Ciarán McDonnell @drciaranmcdonnell.bsky.social · 13/10/2025

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...

Napoleonic signal tower, Slieve Liag, Donegal

Painting of the Battle of Trafalgar by William Clarkson Stanfield.

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ianVisits @ianvisits.co.uk · 07/10/2025

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...

ianvisits.co.uk

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.

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Virtual Record Treasury of Ireland @virtualtreasury.bsky.social · 27/08/2025

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...

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Virtual Record Treasury of Ireland @virtualtreasury.bsky.social · 22/09/2025

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...

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

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Joel Herman @joelherman.bsky.social · 22/09/2025

Eighteenth-Century Clickbait...

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History at Queen's University Belfast @qubhistory.bsky.social · 25/09/2025

QUB History Seminar tomorrow at 4pm BST

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Benjamin Casey @benjamin-casey.bsky.social · 15/09/2025

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!

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Dr Ciarán McDonnell @drciaranmcdonnell.bsky.social · 12/09/2025

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

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.

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Dr Ciarán McDonnell @drciaranmcdonnell.bsky.social · 02/09/2025

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/

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Dr Ciarán McDonnell @drciaranmcdonnell.bsky.social · 21/08/2025

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

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RTÉ News @news.rte.ie · 20/08/2025

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

rte.ie

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.

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Dr Ciarán McDonnell @drciaranmcdonnell.bsky.social · 19/08/2025

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

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Dr Matthew Taylor, author of "Black Redcoats" @blackredcoats.bsky.social · 11/08/2025

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

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DeclanKavanagh.bsky.social @drdeclankavanagh.bsky.social · 10/08/2025

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

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