Gerard Shannon
@gerardshannon.bsky.social
Public historian of the Irish revolutionary period of 1912-23. Biographer of Liam Lynch and Rory O'Connor, both available from Merrion Press. MA in History from DCU. More can be found here: https://gerardshannon.com/
Pinned
Gerard Shannon
@gerardshannon.bsky.social
· Oct 18
You might know his name. You may even know about his tragic end. But I promise, you really don't know his story and his part in the fight for Irish freedom.
Delighted to announce my second book, 'Rory O'Connor: To Defend the Republic' will see release in bookshops February 2026 from Merrion Press.
Delighted to announce my second book, 'Rory O'Connor: To Defend the Republic' will see release in bookshops February 2026 from Merrion Press.
Reposted by Gerard Shannon
Today is two years since Israel murdered writer, educator and activist Professor Refaat Alareer in Gaza. In memory of him and the thousands of beautiful Palestinians whose lives were stolen by the apartheid state, we keep fighting for freedom, justice and equality for Palestine. Let's it be a tale..
December 6, 2025 at 10:21 PM
Today is two years since Israel murdered writer, educator and activist Professor Refaat Alareer in Gaza. In memory of him and the thousands of beautiful Palestinians whose lives were stolen by the apartheid state, we keep fighting for freedom, justice and equality for Palestine. Let's it be a tale..
Fascinated to see this one, a fundraiser for a memorial to Maurice 'Moss' Twomey outside his native Clondulane, north Cork. Twomey was one of the 20th century's most influential - and still strangely forgotten - Irish republican figures.
www.gofundme.com/f/moss-twome...
www.gofundme.com/f/moss-twome...
Donate to Moss Twomey National Commemoration Community, organized by Katie Fanning
Moss Twomey Memorial Fund (Chief of Staff I.R.A. 1927 – 1936)
… Katie Fanning needs your support for Moss Twomey National Commemoration Community
www.gofundme.com
December 6, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Fascinated to see this one, a fundraiser for a memorial to Maurice 'Moss' Twomey outside his native Clondulane, north Cork. Twomey was one of the 20th century's most influential - and still strangely forgotten - Irish republican figures.
www.gofundme.com/f/moss-twome...
www.gofundme.com/f/moss-twome...
Reposted by Gerard Shannon
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
An archive of historians??
Answers on a postcard please?
@drmarymcauliffe.bsky.social
@gerardshannon.bsky.social
#historians #irishhistory #books #history
December 5, 2025 at 4:06 PM
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
An archive of historians??
Answers on a postcard please?
@drmarymcauliffe.bsky.social
@gerardshannon.bsky.social
#historians #irishhistory #books #history
Reposted by Gerard Shannon
On this week's episode of The Irish History Boys, Tim McGarry and I discuss the importance of the First World War in Irish history and how it has been remembered ever since. youtu.be/Qrb7SoSK1p4?...
Ireland's Forgotten Sacrifice & How the First World War Changed Everything
YouTube video by The Irish History Boys
youtu.be
November 14, 2025 at 9:49 AM
On this week's episode of The Irish History Boys, Tim McGarry and I discuss the importance of the First World War in Irish history and how it has been remembered ever since. youtu.be/Qrb7SoSK1p4?...
Reposted by Gerard Shannon
We are very grateful to the National 1798 Rebellion Centre for hosting yesterday evening’s special event in Enniscorthy to celebrate the publication of Bloody Summer by James Quinn.
Wexford historian Kevin Whelan spoke about author James Quinn’s significant contributions to this historical period.
Wexford historian Kevin Whelan spoke about author James Quinn’s significant contributions to this historical period.
November 14, 2025 at 10:50 AM
We are very grateful to the National 1798 Rebellion Centre for hosting yesterday evening’s special event in Enniscorthy to celebrate the publication of Bloody Summer by James Quinn.
Wexford historian Kevin Whelan spoke about author James Quinn’s significant contributions to this historical period.
Wexford historian Kevin Whelan spoke about author James Quinn’s significant contributions to this historical period.
I'm all for John Dorney eviscerating the woeful 'House of Guinness' series in this thread.
More to the point perhaps the Fenians had already had thier rebellion the previous year and been thoroughly crushed. Thousands had been put in jail or transported. They weren't really in a postion to riot to the tunes of Kneecap even had they wanted to.
November 15, 2025 at 11:05 PM
I'm all for John Dorney eviscerating the woeful 'House of Guinness' series in this thread.
Reposted by Gerard Shannon
The 'bloodiest fighting between republicans since the Civil War' ended 50 years this week. Left deep scars and immense bitterness in nationalist Belfast. Barely a hint of reflection on it these days.
November 15, 2025 at 3:18 PM
The 'bloodiest fighting between republicans since the Civil War' ended 50 years this week. Left deep scars and immense bitterness in nationalist Belfast. Barely a hint of reflection on it these days.
My congrats to the great @owenoshea.bsky.social on the on the launch of his new book 'From Bullets to Ballots: Politics and Electioneering in Post-Civil War Kerry 1923 - 1933' on the political landscape in his native county in the initial years after the Civil War. (Based on Owen's PhD).
November 12, 2025 at 1:45 PM
My congrats to the great @owenoshea.bsky.social on the on the launch of his new book 'From Bullets to Ballots: Politics and Electioneering in Post-Civil War Kerry 1923 - 1933' on the political landscape in his native county in the initial years after the Civil War. (Based on Owen's PhD).
Reposted by Gerard Shannon
Gonna tell my kids this was Fleetwood Mac
November 11, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Gonna tell my kids this was Fleetwood Mac
Farewell to the Presidency of Michael D. Higgins. Rather surreally, on not one, but two occasions the last few years I visited the Áras to give him a copy of a book I wrote.
November 10, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Farewell to the Presidency of Michael D. Higgins. Rather surreally, on not one, but two occasions the last few years I visited the Áras to give him a copy of a book I wrote.
Reposted by Gerard Shannon
My school friend meeting my college friend for the first time:
“[greeting in outrageous Longford accent]”
College friend to me talking out of the side of his mouth Clareman-like in outrageous Clare accent:
“Is this lad for real?”
“[greeting in outrageous Longford accent]”
College friend to me talking out of the side of his mouth Clareman-like in outrageous Clare accent:
“Is this lad for real?”
November 8, 2025 at 12:09 AM
My school friend meeting my college friend for the first time:
“[greeting in outrageous Longford accent]”
College friend to me talking out of the side of his mouth Clareman-like in outrageous Clare accent:
“Is this lad for real?”
“[greeting in outrageous Longford accent]”
College friend to me talking out of the side of his mouth Clareman-like in outrageous Clare accent:
“Is this lad for real?”
Reposted by Gerard Shannon
Some of the reactions to President Connolly intending to make Irish the working language of the Áras really give a glimpse into the "fastest goalposts in Ireland" environment that Gaeilge is forced to justify its existence in.
November 7, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Some of the reactions to President Connolly intending to make Irish the working language of the Áras really give a glimpse into the "fastest goalposts in Ireland" environment that Gaeilge is forced to justify its existence in.
Reposted by Gerard Shannon
This *other* young NYC mayor was grandson & namesake of nationalist John Mitchel
My article on another young New York Mayor is up! www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2...
Meet the grandson of an Irish nationalist who became mayor of NY
Zohran Mamdani will be New York's youngest mayor in more than a century - the youngest before him was the grandson of an Irish nationalist and largely forgotten
www.rte.ie
November 5, 2025 at 5:15 PM
This *other* young NYC mayor was grandson & namesake of nationalist John Mitchel
I'd love to do a history talk in Derry next year, on Rory O'Connor or any of my other subjects. Who could I talk to (or for) there?
November 4, 2025 at 10:01 PM
I'd love to do a history talk in Derry next year, on Rory O'Connor or any of my other subjects. Who could I talk to (or for) there?
Reposted by Gerard Shannon
One of the more depressing features of any 'debate' about sectarianism in this country is the inability of some to understand that two things can be true at the same time; that people you may dislike can suffer sectarian abuse and that this is just as wrong as people we agree with suffering it.
November 1, 2025 at 10:41 AM
One of the more depressing features of any 'debate' about sectarianism in this country is the inability of some to understand that two things can be true at the same time; that people you may dislike can suffer sectarian abuse and that this is just as wrong as people we agree with suffering it.
Reposted by Gerard Shannon
This is attempted murder
So it wasn't fireworks. It was a calculated and deliberate attempt at the mass murder of men, women and children.
www.thetimes.com/article/0887...
www.thetimes.com/article/0887...
CCTV catches moment intruder torched asylum centre housing children
Gardai have rebranded attack in Drogheda as a potential attempted murder after camera footage was released
www.thetimes.com
November 1, 2025 at 10:57 PM
This is attempted murder
www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/co... British justice in Ireland.
Former paratrooper Soldier F found not guilty of murder in Bloody Sunday trial
British army veteran acquitted of murder and attempted murder at Belfast Crown Court
www.irishtimes.com
October 23, 2025 at 10:19 PM
www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/co... British justice in Ireland.
Reposted by Gerard Shannon
Shoutout to whoever was like the news sucks, let’s spice it up by doing a jewel heist at the Louvre
October 19, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Shoutout to whoever was like the news sucks, let’s spice it up by doing a jewel heist at the Louvre
TRUE THAT!
They'll look good side by side !
Peorder for February ( with free shipping) up now at thebookshop.ie/gerard-shann...
Peorder for February ( with free shipping) up now at thebookshop.ie/gerard-shann...
October 19, 2025 at 11:39 AM
TRUE THAT!
You might know his name. You may even know about his tragic end. But I promise, you really don't know his story and his part in the fight for Irish freedom.
Delighted to announce my second book, 'Rory O'Connor: To Defend the Republic' will see release in bookshops February 2026 from Merrion Press.
Delighted to announce my second book, 'Rory O'Connor: To Defend the Republic' will see release in bookshops February 2026 from Merrion Press.
October 18, 2025 at 4:53 PM
You might know his name. You may even know about his tragic end. But I promise, you really don't know his story and his part in the fight for Irish freedom.
Delighted to announce my second book, 'Rory O'Connor: To Defend the Republic' will see release in bookshops February 2026 from Merrion Press.
Delighted to announce my second book, 'Rory O'Connor: To Defend the Republic' will see release in bookshops February 2026 from Merrion Press.
I feel so seen.
October 18, 2025 at 3:02 PM
I feel so seen.
Reposted by Gerard Shannon
Launches coming up in both Dublin and Kerry in November so stay tuned for details!
Available now from @ucdpress.bsky.social for pre-orders at www.ucdpress.ie
#books #history #politics
Available now from @ucdpress.bsky.social for pre-orders at www.ucdpress.ie
#books #history #politics
October 9, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Launches coming up in both Dublin and Kerry in November so stay tuned for details!
Available now from @ucdpress.bsky.social for pre-orders at www.ucdpress.ie
#books #history #politics
Available now from @ucdpress.bsky.social for pre-orders at www.ucdpress.ie
#books #history #politics
Reposted by Gerard Shannon
For anyone who needs context, the burning of Cork in 1920 was in no way a ‘mystery’. British troops went from building to building, setting fires and then hung around to hold back fire-fighters, including cutting their hoses. The city centre looked like London after the Blitz.
The British Pathe title card for this film of the 1920 burning of Cork describes it as a “mystery fire” 🤔
Ireland’s Agony
The Burning of Cork by British forces took place on the night of December 11th and 12th 1920 during the Irish War of Independence. It followed
ifiarchiveplayer.ie
October 9, 2025 at 8:41 AM
For anyone who needs context, the burning of Cork in 1920 was in no way a ‘mystery’. British troops went from building to building, setting fires and then hung around to hold back fire-fighters, including cutting their hoses. The city centre looked like London after the Blitz.
Greta. ❤️ youtube.com/shorts/0diMS...
Greta Thunberg: ‘We Are Not Heroes. We Are Doing The Bare Minimum’
YouTube video by Novara Media
youtube.com
October 6, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Greta. ❤️ youtube.com/shorts/0diMS...