Damian Shiels
@irishacw.bsky.social
Historian & Archaeologist. Digital Humanities, Public Engagement.
Latest Book: lsupress.org/9780807183700/green-and-blue/
Transatlantic Podcast: shows.acast.com/transatlantic
StoryMaps: https://shielsheritage.com/storymaps/
www.shielsheritage.com
Latest Book: lsupress.org/9780807183700/green-and-blue/
Transatlantic Podcast: shows.acast.com/transatlantic
StoryMaps: https://shielsheritage.com/storymaps/
www.shielsheritage.com
Reposted by Damian Shiels
My new book, 'The Fenian Empire: A Hemispheric History of Irish Republican Nationalism' is now live in the NYU Press catalogue and due for release in early June, fittingly on the 160th anniversary of the first major Fenian raid on Canada
nyupress.org/978147983258...
nyupress.org/978147983258...
The Fenian Empire
A bold new exploration of Fenian revolutionary activity across the AmericasIn the aftermath of the American Civil War, the Fenian movement stood at a crossro...
nyupress.org
December 8, 2025 at 4:36 PM
My new book, 'The Fenian Empire: A Hemispheric History of Irish Republican Nationalism' is now live in the NYU Press catalogue and due for release in early June, fittingly on the 160th anniversary of the first major Fenian raid on Canada
nyupress.org/978147983258...
nyupress.org/978147983258...
Finland bound after a fleeting visit to Ireland. A bit of history and archaeology mixed in, caught up with Annie Moore and the Lusitania Memorial in Cobh and a quick stop on familiar ground in Béal na Bláth.
December 9, 2025 at 8:29 AM
Finland bound after a fleeting visit to Ireland. A bit of history and archaeology mixed in, caught up with Annie Moore and the Lusitania Memorial in Cobh and a quick stop on familiar ground in Béal na Bláth.
Reposted by Damian Shiels
My little book is dedicated to my friends, and its eclectic tour takes off with two of them at the Heaney HomePlace, where the great Iarla Ó Lionáird will sing and talk with the great Neil Hegarty and myself about Heaney, Derry, and the music of what happens. Tickets are on sale Wednesday morning.
This is coming with springtime: a celebration of @dedalusdenaries.bsky.social Late Heaney at the Heaney HomePlace.
28 February.
28 February.
December 8, 2025 at 3:35 PM
My little book is dedicated to my friends, and its eclectic tour takes off with two of them at the Heaney HomePlace, where the great Iarla Ó Lionáird will sing and talk with the great Neil Hegarty and myself about Heaney, Derry, and the music of what happens. Tickets are on sale Wednesday morning.
The new episode of Transatlantic is live! We chat with Terry Golway about the long history of Tammany Hall. Why was it so tied to Irish America, and why does popular memory link them so heavily to corruption? We also explore the overlooked good the organisation did: shows.acast.com/transatlanti...
Tammany Hall: The Irish Political Machine in New York | Transatlantic: An Irish American History Podcast
shows.acast.com
December 8, 2025 at 6:59 PM
The new episode of Transatlantic is live! We chat with Terry Golway about the long history of Tammany Hall. Why was it so tied to Irish America, and why does popular memory link them so heavily to corruption? We also explore the overlooked good the organisation did: shows.acast.com/transatlanti...
Thanks to the Roscommon Herald for covering some of my work on the Irish in the American Civil War: www.roscommonherald.ie/news/roscomm...
Roscommon's American Civil War stories - News - Roscommon Herald
Roscommon's American Civil War stories - News - Roscommon Herald
www.roscommonherald.ie
December 8, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Thanks to the Roscommon Herald for covering some of my work on the Irish in the American Civil War: www.roscommonherald.ie/news/roscomm...
It's near certain the American Civil War saw more Cork men in uniform than any other conflict. That's reflected in the 19th century U.S. pensions paid out in Ireland, where Cork tops the list with almost 100 men and women identified so far. Interactive Map here: storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/4e3d...
December 7, 2025 at 10:11 AM
It's near certain the American Civil War saw more Cork men in uniform than any other conflict. That's reflected in the 19th century U.S. pensions paid out in Ireland, where Cork tops the list with almost 100 men and women identified so far. Interactive Map here: storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/4e3d...
Reposted by Damian Shiels
I popped into Hodges Figgis after our tour today for a bit of Christmas shopping, and I saw they had a little recommendation on my Wild Atlantic Way book — was so chuffed! The temptation to tell everyone walking past 😅
Such a lovely surprise!
Such a lovely surprise!
December 6, 2025 at 8:28 PM
I popped into Hodges Figgis after our tour today for a bit of Christmas shopping, and I saw they had a little recommendation on my Wild Atlantic Way book — was so chuffed! The temptation to tell everyone walking past 😅
Such a lovely surprise!
Such a lovely surprise!
The new episode of Transatlantic is live! This week Fin and I chat about Benjamin Franklin's Forgotten Trip to Ireland-and how the Dubs nearly did away with him with some dodgy grub :-) shows.acast.com/transatlanti...
Ben Franklin's Forgotten Trip to Ireland | Transatlantic: An Irish American History Podcast
shows.acast.com
December 3, 2025 at 5:29 PM
The new episode of Transatlantic is live! This week Fin and I chat about Benjamin Franklin's Forgotten Trip to Ireland-and how the Dubs nearly did away with him with some dodgy grub :-) shows.acast.com/transatlanti...
A number of the U.S. pensions paid in 19th century Ireland relate to mass loss of life at sea. Three Ulster pensions relate to this event in 1870, when USS Oneida went down following a collision off the coast of Japan. They are memorialised in Tokyo. Map: storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/4e3d...
December 2, 2025 at 6:31 PM
A number of the U.S. pensions paid in 19th century Ireland relate to mass loss of life at sea. Three Ulster pensions relate to this event in 1870, when USS Oneida went down following a collision off the coast of Japan. They are memorialised in Tokyo. Map: storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/4e3d...
Reposted by Damian Shiels
Our longest yearly book list ever! Thirty six books by contingent historians for you to read, gift, and request for purchase at your library!
2025 Contingent Book List
When you’re shopping for books this season, consider a contingent scholar.
contingentmagazine.org
December 2, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Our longest yearly book list ever! Thirty six books by contingent historians for you to read, gift, and request for purchase at your library!
Reposted by Damian Shiels
Thanks for the great review of “From Crown to Harp”! @irishexaminer.bsky.social www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
Book review: The battle to birth a republic
In 'From Crown to Harp', the story of Ireland’s development from dominion to republic is diligently outlined by David McCullagh
www.irishexaminer.com
December 1, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Thanks for the great review of “From Crown to Harp”! @irishexaminer.bsky.social www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
Reposted by Damian Shiels
Have you got a new book out about Irish America? Regardless of discipline, if it came out in 2025, you can submit it to the ACIS Lawrence McCaffrey Prize for Books on Irish America! You need to fill out the form on this website and the books need to be sent by 1 January!
acisweb.org/mccaffrey-pr...
acisweb.org/mccaffrey-pr...
Lawrence J. McCaffrey Prize | American Conference for Irish Studies – An Chomhdháil Mheiriceánach do Léann na hÉireann
Larry McCaffrey, co-founder of ACIS, was a highly respected, engaging, and beloved teacher throughout his entire career. He served as the first Secretary of ACIS and was ACIS President from 1975 to…
acisweb.org
December 1, 2025 at 10:28 AM
Have you got a new book out about Irish America? Regardless of discipline, if it came out in 2025, you can submit it to the ACIS Lawrence McCaffrey Prize for Books on Irish America! You need to fill out the form on this website and the books need to be sent by 1 January!
acisweb.org/mccaffrey-pr...
acisweb.org/mccaffrey-pr...
Mothers who lost sons at the Little Bighorn & on USS Maine; Widows of Antietam & Gettysburg; veterans who lost limbs and narratives of loss and murder. Some of the 720+ stories in the "Yankee Pensioners in Ireland 1845-1905 Interactive Map": storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/4e3d...
Yankee Pensioners in Ireland 1845-1905: An Interactive Map
An interactive map with biographical info and addresses of 700+ women, men and children who received U.S. pensions in 19th century Ireland.
storymaps.arcgis.com
November 30, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Mothers who lost sons at the Little Bighorn & on USS Maine; Widows of Antietam & Gettysburg; veterans who lost limbs and narratives of loss and murder. Some of the 720+ stories in the "Yankee Pensioners in Ireland 1845-1905 Interactive Map": storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/4e3d...
I'm very pleased to formally launch "Yankee Pensioners in Ireland 1845-1905: An Interactive Map" with location/bio info on 720+ women & men receiving U.S. pensions in Ireland-significantly more than previously thought: storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/4e3d...
Yankee Pensioners in Ireland 1845-1905: An Interactive Map
An interactive map with biographical info and addresses of 700+ women, men and children who received U.S. pensions in 19th century Ireland.
storymaps.arcgis.com
November 28, 2025 at 1:34 PM
I'm very pleased to formally launch "Yankee Pensioners in Ireland 1845-1905: An Interactive Map" with location/bio info on 720+ women & men receiving U.S. pensions in Ireland-significantly more than previously thought: storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/4e3d...
The new episode of Transatlantic is live! In this week's show Fin and I discuss Irish Mountain Men in the Rockies, and explore their role in the expansion of the American West: shows.acast.com/transatlanti...
Irish Mountain Men: Pioneers of the American West? | Transatlantic: An Irish American History Podcast
shows.acast.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:34 PM
The new episode of Transatlantic is live! In this week's show Fin and I discuss Irish Mountain Men in the Rockies, and explore their role in the expansion of the American West: shows.acast.com/transatlanti...
Our new episode of Transatlantic is live! We are joined by Dr. Jane Halloran to discuss the multi-generational impact and influence the emigration of two siblings had on their home locality in Clare, and their new home in Connecticut: shows.acast.com/transatlanti...
Clare to Connecticut: One Family’s Escape from the Great Hunger | Transatlantic: An Irish American History Podcast
shows.acast.com
November 17, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Our new episode of Transatlantic is live! We are joined by Dr. Jane Halloran to discuss the multi-generational impact and influence the emigration of two siblings had on their home locality in Clare, and their new home in Connecticut: shows.acast.com/transatlanti...
Reposted by Damian Shiels
The Locating Bench Marks, Preserving Heritage project has passed 2,000 documented bench mark site records across County Limerick. This is an extraordinary achievement in the timeframe and a clear reflection of the interest communities take in heritage @heritagecouncil.ie @unioflimerick.bsky.social
November 11, 2025 at 2:26 PM
The Locating Bench Marks, Preserving Heritage project has passed 2,000 documented bench mark site records across County Limerick. This is an extraordinary achievement in the timeframe and a clear reflection of the interest communities take in heritage @heritagecouncil.ie @unioflimerick.bsky.social
For the day that's in it, remembering the three Sheehan brothers, from Fermoy, #Cork, who lost their lives in seperate missions over Europe while serving with the Royal Canadian Air Force. vancouversun.com/news/local-n...
Brothers in arms: Vancouver's three Sheehans died in Second World War, to be remembered in Belgium
Saturday service in Belgium's Heverlee war cemetery to honour brothers who died in separate missions within a year in the Second World War.
vancouversun.com
November 9, 2025 at 10:29 AM
For the day that's in it, remembering the three Sheehan brothers, from Fermoy, #Cork, who lost their lives in seperate missions over Europe while serving with the Royal Canadian Air Force. vancouversun.com/news/local-n...
Grave of Joseph McHugh of Drumnabey,#Tyrone, KIA with the 69th PA at Antietam. His mother Annie in Ireland was dependent on him and claimed a pension based on his death delivered to Castlederg. One of 11 Irish pensions found so far with wounding/fatalities linked to Antietam.
November 8, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Grave of Joseph McHugh of Drumnabey,#Tyrone, KIA with the 69th PA at Antietam. His mother Annie in Ireland was dependent on him and claimed a pension based on his death delivered to Castlederg. One of 11 Irish pensions found so far with wounding/fatalities linked to Antietam.
Trauma among U.S. pensioners in Ireland. An image detailing wounds a Warrenpoint, Co. Down resident lived with, including "gunshot wounds to the privates and shoulder and a grapeshot wound of thigh" inflicted in Virginia in 1864. He was later bayoneted while a POW. He survived to return to Ireland.
November 7, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Trauma among U.S. pensioners in Ireland. An image detailing wounds a Warrenpoint, Co. Down resident lived with, including "gunshot wounds to the privates and shoulder and a grapeshot wound of thigh" inflicted in Virginia in 1864. He was later bayoneted while a POW. He survived to return to Ireland.
It was great to join Gerry on the legendary Civil War Talk Radio to discuss the Irish in the American Civil War and my new book Green & Blue. The show is now live across all podcast platforms if you fancy having a listen! www.impedimentsofwar.org/singleshow.p...
November 5, 2025 at 5:35 PM
It was great to join Gerry on the legendary Civil War Talk Radio to discuss the Irish in the American Civil War and my new book Green & Blue. The show is now live across all podcast platforms if you fancy having a listen! www.impedimentsofwar.org/singleshow.p...
My copy of "Traces: The Archaeology of Small Things" has landed! It's great to be included among such great list of contributors. My chapter explores the archaeology of small finds on Irish conflict and battlefield sites. For anyone interested you can order it here: wordwellbooks.com/index.php?ro...
November 4, 2025 at 6:03 PM
My copy of "Traces: The Archaeology of Small Things" has landed! It's great to be included among such great list of contributors. My chapter explores the archaeology of small finds on Irish conflict and battlefield sites. For anyone interested you can order it here: wordwellbooks.com/index.php?ro...
For anyone who wants to have a listen to my RTE History Show chat last night about the 250,000 Irish Americans who served in the U.S. military during the Civil War, you can now listen to that section of the show here: www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...
Green and Blue: Irish Americans in the Union Military, 1861-1865
Damian Shiels joins Myles to discuss the Irishmen who fought for the Union in the American Civil War; and whose stories are revealed in forgotten U.S. pension files.
www.rte.ie
November 3, 2025 at 12:08 PM
For anyone who wants to have a listen to my RTE History Show chat last night about the 250,000 Irish Americans who served in the U.S. military during the Civil War, you can now listen to that section of the show here: www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...
The new episode of Transatlantic: An Irish American History Podcast is live! In this episode we take a look at the unusual but enormous success two 19th century Irish emigrants had in creating and building, of all things, a billiards empire: shows.acast.com/transatlanti...
Phelan & Collender: The Irishmen Who Built an American Billiards Empire | Transatlantic: An Irish American History Podcast
shows.acast.com
November 3, 2025 at 7:57 AM
The new episode of Transatlantic: An Irish American History Podcast is live! In this episode we take a look at the unusual but enormous success two 19th century Irish emigrants had in creating and building, of all things, a billiards empire: shows.acast.com/transatlanti...
For anyone in Ireland, I'll be on The History Show tonight on RTE Radio 1, chatting with Myles about my new book "Green & Blue: Irish Americans in the Union Military, 1861-1865".
November 2, 2025 at 5:19 PM
For anyone in Ireland, I'll be on The History Show tonight on RTE Radio 1, chatting with Myles about my new book "Green & Blue: Irish Americans in the Union Military, 1861-1865".