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Dr. Owen O'Shea

@owenoshea.bsky.social
563 followers 920 following 214 posts

History, politics, books and coffee, in no particular order. PhD from UCD on post-Civil War politics in Kerry. New book coming in 2026. Author, historian, researcher. More at www.owenoshea.ie

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Dr. Owen O'Shea @owenoshea.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
BOOK NEWS: Delighted to share the cover of my forthcoming biography of Austin Stack which will be published by Merrion Press in November. Details of book launches will be announced in due course. The book can now be pre-ordered here: www.irishacademicpress.ie/product/unch...
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Dr. Owen O'Shea @owenoshea.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
My forthcoming biography of Austin Stack can now be pre-ordered ahead of publication in November by Merrion Press. I am honoured to be bringing his remarkable story and his key role in the campaign for Irish independence to a wide audience. www.irishacademicpress.ie/product/unch...
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Dr. Owen O'Shea @owenoshea.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
Looking forward to speaking about the early years of Fianna Fáil in Kerry at the annual conference of the Political Studies Association of Ireland in October. Thanks the organisers for selecting my paper on why the party was so successful in the Kerry constituency owenoshea.ie/books/from-b...
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Dr. Owen O'Shea @owenoshea.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
Great documentary on RTÉ1 now about film censorship and all of the films which were cut and deleted by the Film Censor since 1923 🎬
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Dr. Owen O'Shea @owenoshea.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
My new biography of Austin Stack will be published later this year by Merrion Press. Stack was a major figure during the Irish revolutionary period but has remained in the shadows of the historiography for too long. Stay tuned! 📚 #IrishHistory #AustinStack #Books #IrishRevolution #EasterRising
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Dr. Owen O'Shea @owenoshea.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
Working on a piece on the fate of the Labour Party in Kerry in the 1920s for a forthcoming edited collection on the aftermath of the Irish Civil War. The story of the political fortunes of Labour and smaller parties has been largely marginalised in the histories of politics after the Civil War.
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Dr. Owen O'Shea @owenoshea.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
"Body snatchers" The Kerry priest who was buried four times The extraordinary story of Fr John Quill and the battle for his remains ⚰️ owenoshea.ie/body-snatche...
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Dr. Owen O'Shea @owenoshea.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
A most enjoyable morning in conversation with the wonderful Catriona Crowe at Listowel Writers' Week about my book on politics in Kerry after the Civil War. Lovely to be part of such a special festival in lovely Listowel with such a fabulous buzz in town 📚 📖 @ucdpress.bsky.social
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Dr. Owen O'Shea @owenoshea.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
I'll be at Listowel Writers' Week on Thursday, 28 May talking about how Irish politics evolved after the Civil War and my book on the evolution of Kerry politics in the 1920s and 1930s. Honoured to be interviewed by historian and archivist, Catriona Crowe. writersweek.ie/project/expl...
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Dr. Owen O'Shea @owenoshea.bsky.social · 03/05/2026
Dingle is rocking to the sounds of Féile na Bealtaine 🥁 🔥 #Dingle #FéilenaBealtaine
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Dr. Owen O'Shea @owenoshea.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
Loved every single page of this page turner @rorycarroll72.bsky.social Evoking a story with the pace of thriller while paying due deference to the complex historical narrative I can't recommend it enough 👏
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Dr. Owen O'Shea @owenoshea.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
Thanks to History Ireland for publishing my piece on the impact of local newspapers on support for Fianna Fáil in Kerry in the years after the party was founded. History Ireland (May-June) is out now. #history #centenaries historyireland.com/fianna-fail-...
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Dr. Owen O'Shea @owenoshea.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
Looking forward to Listowel Writers Week and joining the wonderful Catriona Crowe to discuss my research on politics in Kerry and Ireland in the years after the Civil War. Bookings: shorturl.at/HG7Ra
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Dr. Owen O'Shea @owenoshea.bsky.social · 19/04/2026
Census 1926: The newly published Census of 1926 includes the extract for Kerry TD Austin Stack, who used his Irish name, Aibhistín de Staic and who was resident at Strand Road, Mount Merrion in Dublin with his wife Winifren (Úna) and a domestic servant at the time of the Census. #Census1926
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Dr. Owen O'Shea @owenoshea.bsky.social · 19/04/2026
Census 1926: Return for Éamon de Valera and family who were resident at Serpentine Avenue, Dublin. De Valera's occupation is listed as Teachta Dála even though he remained an abstentionist TD. A month after the Census was taken, de Valera founded a new political party, Fianna Fáil #Census1926
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Dr. Owen O'Shea @owenoshea.bsky.social · 18/04/2026
The Census of 1926: my father-in-law Denis Patrick (Patie) O'Neill of Brookhill, Killorglin appears on the census return as a two-year-old. It's a fascinating resource and is very easy to search. #Census1926 Check it out here: nationalarchives.ie/collections/...
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Dr. Owen O'Shea @owenoshea.bsky.social · 18/04/2026
My north Kerry ancestors: the 1926 Census records are a remarkable resource in helping us learn about the past and trace our family histories. This extract is from Ardfert where my grandfather, James Crowley - later of the Spa, Tralee - was born. nationalarchives.ie/collections/... #Census1926
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Dr. Owen O'Shea @owenoshea.bsky.social · 18/04/2026
Census return for the Flynn family of Castlemaine, County Kerry including John 'Jack' Flynn who was an IRA leader during the War of Independence and the Civil War and later Fianna Fáil TD for Kerry. Newly released today as part of #Census1926 nationalarchives.ie/collections/...
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Dr. Owen O'Shea @owenoshea.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
Looking forward to Listowel Writers Week and joining the wonderful Catriona Crowe to discuss my research on politics in Kerry and Ireland in the years after the Civil War. Bookings: shorturl.at/HG7Ra
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Dr. Owen O'Shea @owenoshea.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
Spotted today in a Kerry bookshop! I kept the €1.50 in my pocket! #Boris
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Dr. Owen O'Shea @owenoshea.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
Coming soon to a bookshelf near you: my biography of revolutionary leader Austin Stack which will be published later this year by Merrion Press Thrilled to publish the remarkable story of this important figure and to share new archive material about his life and times #irishhistory #books 📚
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Dr. Owen O'Shea @owenoshea.bsky.social · 05/04/2026
They were just so ... chocolatey! Happy Easter! 🐣 🍫
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Dr. Owen O'Shea @owenoshea.bsky.social · 04/04/2026
Thanks to Ireland's Own for including a piece I wrote on the early years of Fianna Fáil in Kerry in their special edition to mark the centenary of the foundation of the party in 1926. Based on my recent book from @ucdpress.bsky.social on post-Civil War politics in Kerry #irishhistory #speirgorm
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Dr. Owen O'Shea @owenoshea.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
De Valera and my exhibition on the early years of Fianna Fáil in Kerry are now back in my attic after six weeks on the road at Tralee and Killarney libraries. It was almost as long and gruelling a campaign as the 1933 general election! Thanks to Kerry Library for hosting #irishhistory
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Dr. Owen O'Shea @owenoshea.bsky.social · 28/03/2026
🏰 The Leeson-Marshalls of Callinafercy 📖 Lecture by Dr John Knightly 📅 Thursday 2nd April at 8pm 🪑 Milltown Community Hall 🎟 Admission €10 www.milltownhistoryheritage.ie
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Dr. Owen O'Shea @owenoshea.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
Thanks to the Kerry Archaeological and Historical Society for hosting my talk last night at Killarney Library on the early years of Fianna Fáil in Kerry. Recording will be available in due course. #irishhistory #centenaries @ucdpress.bsky.social
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Dr. Owen O'Shea @owenoshea.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
On Thursday, 26th March at 7.00pm at Killarney Library, I will deliver a lecture on the foundation and early years of Fianna Fáil in Kerry, 1926-1933, hosted by the Kerry Archaeological and Historical Society. Admission is free and all are welcome. www.kerryhistory.ie
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Dr. Owen O'Shea @owenoshea.bsky.social · 15/03/2026
Fingers crossed for the second Triple Crown of the weekend #COYBIG #SixNations2026 #U20SixNations 💚💚💚🍀🍀🍀
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Dr. Owen O'Shea @owenoshea.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
On beautiful days like today, it's an even greater privilege to live and work in The Kingdom #Kerry #TheKingdom #Iveragh ☀️
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Dr. Owen O'Shea @owenoshea.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
Congratulations to Michael Loughman on his new biography of James Ryan, minister in several governments. Lovely to meet his great-grandson, arguably the more famous James Ryan 🏉 James Ryan Snr was married to Máirín Cregan from #Killorglin. Lovely evening at Hodges Figgis adressed by Taoiseach
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Dr. Owen O'Shea @owenoshea.bsky.social · 26/02/2026
Congratulations to my good friend @gerardshannon.bsky.social on the launch of his book on Rory O'Connor tonight at Chapters Bookshop. The first ever biography of O'Connor which was launched by Éamon Ó Cuiv and published by Merrion Press. And lovely as always to meet the wonderful Liz Gillis
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Dr. Owen O'Shea @owenoshea.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
Pleased to have contributed to this upcoming TG4 documentary on the Blueblouses, the women's wing of the Blueshirts in the early 1930s in Ireland, which airs on Wednesday 4 March at 9.30pm on TG4 An important and timely documentary on a largely forgotten organisation www.imdb.com/title/tt3974...
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Dr. Owen O'Shea @owenoshea.bsky.social · 16/02/2026
It was an honour to welcome An Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD today to officially open my new centenary exhibition on the early years of Fianna Fáil in Kerry. Exhibition runs at Tralee Library until 28 February and at Killarney Library from 10 to 31 March. The exhibition is supported by the @ria.ie
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Dr. Owen O'Shea @owenoshea.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
A little sneak preview of my new exhibition on the early years of Fianna Fáil in Kerry which runs at Tralee Library from 16 to 28 February The party is 100 years old in 2026 Funded by @ria.ie Commemorations Bursary #history #kerry #politics #FiannaFail #elections
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Dr. Owen O'Shea @owenoshea.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
Thrilled to get a copy of this hugely important new biography of Rory O'Connor from my good friend and fellow historian @gerardshannon.bsky.social and published by @merrionpress.bsky.social A vital addition to the historiography of the revolutionary period #books #irishhistory
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Dr. Owen O'Shea @owenoshea.bsky.social · 03/02/2026
Pleased to announce details of my forthcoming exhibition on the early years of Fianna Fáil in Kerry to mark the party's centenary this year 🗓️ Tralee Library 16-28 February 🗓️ Killarney Library 10-31 March This exhibition is supported by the @ria.ie under its Commemorations Bursary Scheme, 2025-2026
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Dr. Owen O'Shea @owenoshea.bsky.social · 01/02/2026
Under the full moon: congratulations to the Kilgobnet Biddy for keeping our historic traditions alive in Beaufort tonight 🪗🎵 #biddy #biddies #StBrigid ##StBrigidsDay
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Dr. Owen O'Shea @owenoshea.bsky.social · 21/01/2026
Congratulations to my friend, mentor and my former lecturer at UCD, Professor Muiris Bric on his election last night as President of the Kerry Archaeological and Historical Society at our AGM at Tralee Library. Muiris brings tremendous experience to the role. Beir bua, Muiris!
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Dr. Owen O'Shea @owenoshea.bsky.social · 15/01/2026
Pleased to share a sneak preview of my exhibition on the early years of Fianna Fáil in Kerry. The party marks its centenary this year and my focus is on the origins of the party in Kerry from 1926 to 1933. Runs at Kerry Library during February and March. Dates to be announced soon! @ria.ie
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Dr. Owen O'Shea @owenoshea.bsky.social · 07/01/2026
Finalising material for my forthcoming exhibition on the early years of Fianna Fáil in Kerry to mark the centenary of the party's foundation in 1926 Supported by the @ria.ie Commemorations Bursary Scheme Full details coming soon #FiannaFail #centenary #history #politics
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Dr. Owen O'Shea @owenoshea.bsky.social · 21/12/2025
Gerard Lynch, Listowel, who has died aged 94, was the oldest surviving former TD for Kerry A native of Listowel, he served as a Fine Gael TD for Kerry North 1969-77. His father John Lynch was Fine Gael TD for the constituency between 1951 and 1954. May he rest in peace 🙏
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Dr. Owen O'Shea @owenoshea.bsky.social · 16/12/2025
Looking for a Christmas gift for the history lover in your life? The three books I've authored or edited during 2025 are now available in all good bookshops See www.owenoshea.ie #books #Christmas 📚 🎄
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Dr. Owen O'Shea @owenoshea.bsky.social · 05/12/2025
What's the collective noun for a group of historians?? An archive of historians?? Answers on a postcard please? @drmarymcauliffe.bsky.social @gerardshannon.bsky.social #historians #irishhistory #books #history
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Dr. Owen O'Shea @owenoshea.bsky.social · 03/12/2025
What a colourful backdrop for signing books at Connolly Books, one of my favourite bookshops in Dublin 📚 'From Ballots to Bullets' published by @ucdpress.bsky.social is now available in store Thanks for hosting the book signing 📖✒️
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Dr. Owen O'Shea @owenoshea.bsky.social · 30/11/2025
Thanks to all who turned out at O'Mahony's Bookshop for the launch of my book "From Bullets to Ballots: Politics and Electioneering in Post-Civil War Kerry, 1923-33" Thanks to Minister Norma Foley for launching the book Now available in all good bookshops and from ucdpress.ie
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Dr. Owen O'Shea @owenoshea.bsky.social · 27/11/2025
47 books and counting!! 📚 An honour to meet author and historian, Fr J Anthony Gaughan, as he handed over his personal archives to Kerry Library. Fr Gaughan, who is in his 94th year and a native of Listowel, is one of Ireland’s foremost historians 📚
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Dr. Owen O'Shea @owenoshea.bsky.social · 23/11/2025
The Mass Rock or 'Poll an Airfrinn' at Killaclohane Wood near Milltown, Co. Kerry, where Domican priest, Fr Thaddeus Moriarty was arrested while celebrating Mass in 1653. Fr Moriarty was tortured at Ross Castle in Killarney and hanged under the provisions of the Penal Laws. A very special place.
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Dr. Owen O'Shea @owenoshea.bsky.social · 23/11/2025
All welcome to the launch of my new book on politics and elections in #Kerry after the Civil War 📆 Friday 28th November 🕙 7.00pm 📖 O'Mahony's Bookshop 🏦 Tralee @ucdpress.bsky.social www.ucdpress.ie/page/detail/...
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Dr. Owen O'Shea @owenoshea.bsky.social · 21/11/2025
Very enjoyable evening last night at the launch of the Journal of the Kerry Archaeological and Historical Society and the Kerry Magazine 2025. I have a piece in the Magazine on the remarkable story of Kerry TD, Kathleen O'Connor Fitzgerald, who was a Clann na Poblachta TD for Kerry North 1956-57.
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Dr. Owen O'Shea @owenoshea.bsky.social · 18/11/2025
Two book launches coming up this week and next week One on the Civil War in Kerry and the other on its political fallout in the decade which followed All welcome and please share! #books #history #politics 📚
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