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John Crotty author @itsjohncrotty.bsky.social · 20/02/2026

Did you know new research has shown a forgotten female patriot 1st fused Irelands colours? Dubliner Emilia Hamilton crafted an Irish Tricolour cockade in 1830, 18 years before previously thought She gave it it’s meaning - ‘let Orange & Green no longer be seen, bestained by the blood of our island’

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John Crotty author @itsjohncrotty.bsky.social · 17/02/2026

Did you know Ireland was an island alone off Europe’s western edge for over 3000 years? By 10000BC rising seas cut Ireland off from Europe. Its first inhabitants to arrive & stay had to sail there, shaping an island identity Britain separated around 6200BC, creating the modern island archipelago

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John Crotty author @itsjohncrotty.bsky.social · 16/02/2026

Huge thanks Irish Independent for kind words on my research: “this latest work of history has done a tremendous amount of research, including ferreting out original, sometimes unstudied documents from the past. Each symbol of Irishness has so much history behind it, detailed here so exhaustively”

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John Crotty author @itsjohncrotty.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

One of the oldest Amorials in history For Ireland, the most important Armorial Wijnbergen was made in northern France by heraldrists between 1260-1285 It captured many firsts, including the harp for Ireland With much earlier origins, it has remained in association with Eire for nearly 800 years

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John Crotty author @itsjohncrotty.bsky.social · 17/01/2026

Not one but 2 articles to write this weekend Wildly differing topics: ‘The diminishment of Gaelic Ireland’ ‘The truth of Ireland’s Tricolour’ Prepare the coffee…

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John Crotty author @itsjohncrotty.bsky.social · 14/01/2026

Colour image from my upcoming book ‘The Irish Tricolour’ The Hill of Tara When we think of Irish identity, nowhere better represents this. It expresses an all island spiritual, legal & political identity that long predates modern nationalism A place of Gods & Kings Pic: Noel Meehan - Copter View

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John Crotty author @itsjohncrotty.bsky.social · 13/01/2026

Considered by many the most beautiful book ever made The Book of Kells was crafted in 800AD by Irish monks, a highpoint in Irish craft Lavish pigments from across Europe fused to make a masterpiece From upcoming book ‘The Irish Tricolour’ ©️Board of Trinity College Dublin, zoom in for a treat!

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John Crotty author @itsjohncrotty.bsky.social · 11/01/2026

Huge thanks @thebookshopie.bsky.social In 4 weeks ‘The Irish Tricolour’ will completely re-write our understanding of Irish history The who, what and where of Ireland’s symbols are blown open Hold on to your historical hats - it’s going to be wild! Pre-order now - tinyurl.com/4sbn7c9z

tinyurl.com

John Crotty - The Irish Tricolour - Brand New

sales@thebookshop.ie

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John Crotty author @itsjohncrotty.bsky.social · 17/03/2025

Ireland has millennia of symbology Some of our oldest symbols are over 5000 years old On #StPatricksDay what is the history & pedigree of Ireland's oldest symbols (1)

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John Crotty author @itsjohncrotty.bsky.social · 26/12/2024

We didn’t get a white one in Ireland this year Here’s a throwback of a snowfall at the beautiful port town of Cobh, Cork - Last departure point of Titanic - Emigration place to America for millions - Service town for Spike Island prison - Irelands 3rd largest cathedral #ireland #Cork

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John Crotty author @itsjohncrotty.bsky.social · 17/12/2024

If anyone needs a book recommendation for a history lover for Christmas, you won’t go wrong with this Brilliant read by Bettany Hughes - full of scope and insight delivered in a digestible fashion #history #christmas

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John Crotty author @itsjohncrotty.bsky.social · 16/12/2024

If anyone is wondering how many times you see your book on a bookshop shelf before it gets old Never It never gets old Keep writing - it’ll come (Eason’s #Dublin #Spikeisland)

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John Crotty author @itsjohncrotty.bsky.social · 13/12/2024

‘Let’s buy this tub of chocolates now and we won’t eat it until Christmas Day’ I said to my wife Oh how we laughed 🎄

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John Crotty author @itsjohncrotty.bsky.social · 10/12/2024

I live happily knowing Rome is just a 3 hour flight away

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John Crotty author @itsjohncrotty.bsky.social · 09/12/2024

I planned a BIG weekend of writing and boy oh boy my house has never looked cleaner I am a certified citizen of procrasti-Nation #amwriting #writingcommunity

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John Crotty author @itsjohncrotty.bsky.social · 09/12/2024

The military credentials of Spike Island are remarkable Winston Churchill would fight ferociously to retain the Irish island Yet most people don't know the monumental effort taken to secure the western approaches Here is the story of an island fortified to defend an Empire (1)

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John Crotty author @itsjohncrotty.bsky.social · 05/12/2024

‘Spike Island’ is in the Bookshop.ie’s books of the year and can be found here Discover the island where Irelands remembers its storied past…thebookshop.ie/john-crotty-...w/

thebookshop.ie

John Crotty - Spike Island - The Rebels, Residents and Crafty Criminals of Ireland's Historic Island - PB - BRAND NEW

sales@thebookshop.ie

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John Crotty author @itsjohncrotty.bsky.social · 04/12/2024

Chuffed to see ‘Spike Island’ named in the Irish Examiners 35 ‘Cork books of the year’ An incredible Irish historical location in a county resplendent with stories Thanks @marjbrennan.bsky.social www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar... #Cork #merrionpress

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+AdamBlack @redrocket.bsky.social · 04/12/2024

Pentagon Fortresses are cool A thread

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+AdamBlack @redrocket.bsky.social · 04/12/2024

Kay I'm unsure why but something tells me you might be into these Fortresses Whole thread on them. All over Eastern USA . Canada bsky.app/profile/itsj...

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Andrea Carter @andreacarter.bsky.social · 03/12/2024

Ireland's beautiful libraries...

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John Crotty author @itsjohncrotty.bsky.social · 03/12/2024

While much of the world swings to the far right, Irelands rejects it entirely in a 2nd consecutive election ☘️👊🏻 Not 1 single anti-immigration candidate elected, from 60+ who ran A nation who’s sons and daughters were forced to emigrate hasn’t forgotten, & doesn’t punch down (1)

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John Crotty author @itsjohncrotty.bsky.social · 03/12/2024

Once more unto the research breach! I’m off to 2 of our capital cities stunning research spaces The National Library Reading room, 1890, has a stunning domed roof While Marsh’s Library, 1707, is Irelands oldest #research #amwriting #writing #nonfiction #Dublin

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John Crotty author @itsjohncrotty.bsky.social · 30/11/2024

Non-fiction history author here, new to Bluesky Hoping to connect to writers & book people of all genres Drop me a line, like or follow so I can follow you back

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John Crotty author @itsjohncrotty.bsky.social · 29/11/2024

Joseph Dwyer was a well to do Dubliner in Victorian Ireland He lived a high life until his father cut him off Joseph faced curtailing his lavish lifestyle - or doing something unthinkable This is the story of how Joseph Dwyer became know as ‘The Gravedigger’ johncrottyauthor.com/spike-island...

johncrottyauthor.com

The Gravedigger - Dubliner Joseph Dwyer - John Crotty - author

Joseph Dwyer was a well to do Dubliner seeking the high life, but his shocking crime earned the nickname 'the gravedigger' at Spike Island

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John Crotty author @itsjohncrotty.bsky.social · 28/11/2024

Spike Island is Ireland's historic Island, worthy of UNESCO recognition Yet most people don't know its rich history or global significance Here are 17 short tweets that explain why Ireland's Alcatraz will be known everywhere as a true world wonder (1)

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John Crotty author @itsjohncrotty.bsky.social · 26/11/2024

Huge thanks to the Sunday Times for the write up - 'Spike Island in Cork Harbour encapsulates the Irish story better than perhaps any other location. It has been home to a monastery, a fortress and several island prisons' www.thetimes.com/article/71e4... #booksky #books

thetimes.com

Behind the bars of Spike Island, Ireland’s Alcatraz

A new book by the former chief executive of the famous jail digs deep into the thorny history of the Cork isle which has hosted four prisons

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John Crotty author @itsjohncrotty.bsky.social · 26/11/2024

The stream by our house is going full Jane Austen this morning, light & mist dancing #ireland #winter

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John Crotty author @itsjohncrotty.bsky.social · 25/11/2024

I am finding this brilliant An insider guide into the operations of a secret society that masterminded a nations successful path to freedom What’s not to love! #ireland #booksky

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Spiro’s Ghost @antitoxicpeople.bsky.social · 25/11/2024

Makes me sad re-reading this amazing letter from ex-Watergate Special Prosecutor Archibald Cox sent to high school seniors in 1994 after they asked him “What should Americans learn from Watergate?” 20 years later in ‘94. His answer is remarkable—unfortunately things didn’t work out so well in 2024.

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John Crotty author @itsjohncrotty.bsky.social · 21/11/2024

I’ll be giving a talk soon: Cork Literary & Scientific Society Thurs 28th Nov Spike Island – Military, Monastic and Penal legend ⬇️ corkliteraryandscientificsociety.ie/upcoming-lectu… Read a guest post on ‘Ireland and the age of Revolution’ here 1770-1850⬇️ aorireland.substack.com/p/spike-island

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John Crotty author @itsjohncrotty.bsky.social · 20/11/2024

New Christmas gifts for office colleagues just dropped Ordered the top 2 for myself already #christmas #gifts

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TheBookshop.ie @thebookshopie.bsky.social · 19/11/2024

4 recent Irish History non fiction titles ( all 4 of which are on our 'Irish Books of the Year' list. 1 - Spike Island from @itsjohncrotty.bsky.social - the detailed history of the hostoric island in Cork harbour, which has been both military base and prison at various times in it's long history.

Cover of John Crotty's Spike Island - The Rebels, Residents and Crafty Criminals of Ireland's Historic Island.
Cover shows fort in the centre of the island, which sits in the world's most beautiful bay in Ireland's natural capital, Cork.

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John Crotty author @itsjohncrotty.bsky.social · 19/11/2024

Michael Collins statue, Cork Collins led an Irish secret society to fight for Irish freedom around 1919 He hid in plain sight, his face unknown, cycling his bicycle around while orchestrating a national movement His effort is remembered, but we live for the day we don’t need men like Collins

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John Crotty author @itsjohncrotty.bsky.social · 18/11/2024

I’ll be giving a talk at the Cork Literary & Scientific Society “Spike Island – Military, Monastic and Penal legend” From murderers to monks, Captains to convicts, it’s the small island with a BIG history Thurs 28th @ beautiful Metropole Hotel corkliteraryandscientificsociety.ie/upcoming-lec...

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John Crotty author @itsjohncrotty.bsky.social · 15/11/2024

I’ve got a guest post live on the brilliant ‘Ireland and the age of Revolution’ Spike Island was being fortified to defend an Empire Soon it would be used to imprison a nation open.substack.com/pub/aorirela... #history #Ireland

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John Crotty author @itsjohncrotty.bsky.social · 14/11/2024

Heading back to this stunning Irish town soon #Cobh #Cork #Ireland

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John Crotty author @itsjohncrotty.bsky.social · 14/11/2024

3 interesting facts about Spike Island, Irelands historic island - It’s the youngest part of Ireland, returned in 1938 - It’s fort is the most expensive building in Irish history - It’s famine era prison was the largest in the world Today it is a world class museum & nature site #history

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John Crotty author @itsjohncrotty.bsky.social · 13/11/2024

Getting back to this amazing space soon The Reading Rooms at Ireland’s National Library are food for the soul! #research #history

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John Crotty author @itsjohncrotty.bsky.social · 13/11/2024

The green harp flag of Ireland It was first recorded in 1642 It became the flag of the 1798 rebellion &, for many, a national standard So why didn’t it become the Irish National Flag? (1)

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John Crotty author @itsjohncrotty.bsky.social · 13/11/2024

Big move by the Guardian An even bigger statement When will someone spot the HUGE gap in the market for an authentic social media experience One with verified accounts & a social impact ethos @aoc.bsky.social will sort it! 👊🏻

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John Crotty author @itsjohncrotty.bsky.social · 12/11/2024

Spike Island - one of the worlds most important historical locations A 7th century monastery & scriptorium for 500 years An island prison on 4 occasions over 400 years An enormous fortress started during the American War of Independence A quaint island home for centuries… #Ireland #history

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John Crotty author @itsjohncrotty.bsky.social · 12/11/2024

Hi folks, new to this from Twitter Irish author & historian Published by Merrion Press Book 1 out now - ‘Spike Island’, Irelands historic island Book 2 coming soon on an important original Irish topic Love to share Irish history, writing tips, travel & celebrate others Please connect!

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