iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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 · 06/02/2026

Fascinating, the principles never really change. You need line of sight when defending that the old square castle shape just didn’t afford. Only for the advent of air power making the effort redundant, who knows how much more refinement we would have seen?

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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

Congrats Catherine, I adore his work. There are a few pieces in my local gallery (Cork) I think he will become a sensation in time

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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

I hope you enjoyed this Irish history Please like, share and follow Happy #saintpatricksday #stpatricksday #stpatricksday2025

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

These are just some of the symbols of Ireland A nation deeply in touch with its past Irelands Neolithic tomb builders left an indelible mark, being absorbed by the bronze age & early Celts Modern Irish see themselves in the craft, community & culture of the ancient Irish (12)

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

The Irish wolfhound: Remarkably, the earliest description of large Irish dogs is a 391ad Roman reference A gift of hounds were termed a 'wonder of Rome' Their current impressive size is partly breeding with Great Danes They became a symbol of Ireland in the 1800's (11)

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

The sunburst: Associated with the ancient ‘Fianna’, an Irish mythological band of warriors The 1st image of it dates to 1731 It was adopted by Fenians around 1858 Similar devices appear in Japan & China (10)

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

Round Tower: The late 19th century saw Ireland rediscover its heritage Alongside High Crosses the round tower was revered Built from 7th century, they were bell houses, stored valuables or held Scriptorium on monastic sites They demonstrated power & prestige (9)

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

Irish stone High Cross: They became popular in Christian Ireland from the 8th century They combine the Cross with a circle to represent the sun, God or eternal life - a unique feature They became a symbol of Ireland in the late 19th century (8)

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

The Celtic Tree of Life: 6000 years ago Ireland had as much as 80% forest cover Druids believed all things are connected - all are one The tree symbolises the connection between heaven and earth Oak trees were revered as sacred (7)

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

The Irish tricolour is a modern symbol The 1st tricolour was the Netherlands in the 1500’s Many nations adopted them following the French Revolution Irelands emerged in the 1830’s & was adopted after 1916 Its colours stand for hoped for peace between Ireland's faiths (6)

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

The Harp: Early references date to Egypt & Mesopotamia 5000 years ago Harpists were revered in Gaelic Ireland, the Annals listing harpers in 630AD They appear on High Crosses in the 8th century It was used to denote Ireland by French heraldrists in the late 13th century (5)

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

The Celtic Trinity: Almost certainly derived from the Megalithic Tri-spiral The Celts used the symbol extensively from 2500 years ago It appears in Irelands most priceless book - the Book of Kells Most recently it forms the Irish - Choctaw sculpture ‘Eternal Hearts’ (4)

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

The Tri-spiral / Triskele The symbol appears at 5000 year old Irish tomb Newgrange The site is older than the pyramids & all modern religions The device has no beginning or end, using 1 continuous line It is perhaps Ireland’s oldest symbol (3)

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

The shamrock was linked to St Patrick It was 1st recorded in Irish association in the 1500’s A recent link to the 1196 Topographia Hibernica implies much earlier use (pic 2) The Irish wore them on St Patrick’s Day no later than the 1600’s The symbolism has older Celtic roots (2)

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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 · 13/12/2024

Is that all Glenn? In a country of 68 million?

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

How is there not a movie yet on this incredible woman! Such a character

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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

There are no cleaner home offices and more organised fridges than a writers

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

I should contact the neighbours, see if I can make a few bob from my procrastinating!

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

This is the work Your wip sounds epic!

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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

Read the full monastic, military, penal and social history of this remarkable Irish location in 'Spike Island' On sale in good bookstores and here - www.irishacademicpress.ie/product/spik...

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

The fort stands today as testament to many things To centuries of military advancement, from mud ditches to castles to star shaped forts To Britain's determination to defend its empire To Ireland's inextinguishable desire for freedom All happening on Ireland's historic island..

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

The war passed without attack The Irish army & navy held the site until a final prison arrived in 1985 Its arrival brought to an end a continuous military occupation of 206 years Spanning the American Revolutionary War, Napoleonic wars, World War 1 & 2, & British & Irish army (16)

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

The Irish army manned the fort in World War 2 They feared the Germans would implement 'Operation Green', an invasion of Southern Ireland with 20k troops There was also concern Churchill would send British troops to retake the base, despite his advisors advice the forts were redundant (15)

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

The resolution to a 1930's trade war between Ireland & Britain saw the forts returned In a momentous day, Eamon DeValera oversaw the handover, as 40k in Cobh erupted A young nation celebrates a momentous occasion It was not a moment too soon (14)

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

Winston Churchill fought tooth and nail to retain the island fortress He had visited Cork Harbour in 1912 & knew its strategic importance He was successful & Spike remained one of 3 British ports in Ireland held for 17 more years 1938 brought a different outcome (13)

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

When Ireland fights for independence in 1921, the fortress becomes a Republican prison The Cameron Highlanders stand guard over 1200 proven rebels The end of the conflict and Irish independence should see Spike Island returned But one man fought to keep it (12)

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

Britain retains naval dominance in World War 1 Troops train for the fronts of France in purpose built training trenches A net is maintained from the island to the mainland to counter a new threat - submarines The American fleets arrival in 1917 signals the coming end of the war (11)

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

British dominance in the 19th century means it sees little military use or threat It is converted to a prison in 1847 and becomes the largest in the world The turn of the century sees new threats emerge In 1914 the world goes to war, as does Spike Island (10)

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

A supreme star shaped fort emerges, 1 of the last ever built By 1811 over half a billion in modern money has been spent Work would continue for almost 60 years, later using convict labour By the time the 24 acre fortress is considered complete, it has cost billions (9)

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

A force of thousands of laborers is joined by an army of 100 horses The summit of the island is shaved off using labour and later dynamite An enormous man made slope is filled in, to slow and tire attackers An entire 104 acre island is redesigned into 1 military killzone (8)

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

Had the French landed in Cork Harbour, Irish and British history may have been rewritten Fort designer Charles Vallancey exploits the concern He lobbies for a fort so monumental, it will never be surpassed in Irish history In 1804, work begins on a military superstructure (7)

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

France launches 'Expédition d'Irlande' in 1796, sending 15000 men to invade Ireland Wolfe Tone & crew avoid the allegedly well defended Cork Harbour, an easier landing location Up the coast in Bantry, awful weather defeats them Britain breathes a sigh of relief (6)

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