Dr Ciarán McDonnell
@drciaranmcdonnell.bsky.social
Historian: 18thC war & society (Jacobites, French Revolution & Napoleonic Wars), Irish in foreign armies (Wild Geese), Medieval history (Crusades).
Also interested in archaeology & heritage management.
https://ciaranmcdonnell.weebly.com/
Also interested in archaeology & heritage management.
https://ciaranmcdonnell.weebly.com/
It was great fun to take part in a panel discussion on the Battle of Trafalgar this week, ahead of its 220th anniversary, on Newstalk's Talking History show. I spoke in particular about the impact of the battle on Ireland and the (many) Irish in the Royal Navy. open.spotify.com/episode/6ew8...
October 13, 2025 at 10:07 PM
It was great fun to take part in a panel discussion on the Battle of Trafalgar this week, ahead of its 220th anniversary, on Newstalk's Talking History show. I spoke in particular about the impact of the battle on Ireland and the (many) Irish in the Royal Navy. open.spotify.com/episode/6ew8...
I had a great day today at the 35th Irish Conference of Historians, catching up with old colleagues and meeting new ones too. An incredibly varied programme, everything from Italian futurism to ex-RIC in the Free State. Thanks to all for organising @irishhistorians.bsky.social @maynoothuniversity.ie
September 12, 2025 at 9:35 PM
I had a great day today at the 35th Irish Conference of Historians, catching up with old colleagues and meeting new ones too. An incredibly varied programme, everything from Italian futurism to ex-RIC in the Free State. Thanks to all for organising @irishhistorians.bsky.social @maynoothuniversity.ie
Nice to see my guide to the Medieval Walled Towns of Meath feature in the latest edition of the Walled Town Crier, focusing on Trim in particular.
#medieval #skystorians
irishwalledtownsnetwork.ie/e-zine/
#medieval #skystorians
irishwalledtownsnetwork.ie/e-zine/
September 2, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Nice to see my guide to the Medieval Walled Towns of Meath feature in the latest edition of the Walled Town Crier, focusing on Trim in particular.
#medieval #skystorians
irishwalledtownsnetwork.ie/e-zine/
#medieval #skystorians
irishwalledtownsnetwork.ie/e-zine/
I also have a soft spot for the wider family, especially Daniel's uncle, Daniel Charles O'Connell, who was part of the Irish Brigade in the French army and masterminded the Irish Brigade in the British Army. 2/2 #danieloconnell #derrynane #irishhistory #skystorians
August 6, 2025 at 9:11 PM
I also have a soft spot for the wider family, especially Daniel's uncle, Daniel Charles O'Connell, who was part of the Irish Brigade in the French army and masterminded the Irish Brigade in the British Army. 2/2 #danieloconnell #derrynane #irishhistory #skystorians
Happy 250th birthday to Daniel O'Connell, born #OTD in 1775. I recently wrapped up a project that included looking through a lot of his letters and what really struck me was his character; warm & affectionate with family & friends, determined & passionate with his colleagues in their campaigns. 1/2
August 6, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Happy 250th birthday to Daniel O'Connell, born #OTD in 1775. I recently wrapped up a project that included looking through a lot of his letters and what really struck me was his character; warm & affectionate with family & friends, determined & passionate with his colleagues in their campaigns. 1/2
Many thanks to the Heritage Council, Abarta Heritage, and Meath County Council for supporting this project. Hopefully the hardcopies will be along soon, but the pdf is available now. I'll post some of my favourite town wall sections over the next while.
July 24, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Many thanks to the Heritage Council, Abarta Heritage, and Meath County Council for supporting this project. Hopefully the hardcopies will be along soon, but the pdf is available now. I'll post some of my favourite town wall sections over the next while.
Great to see a new publication by @livunipress.bsky.social on the Woolwich Rotunda by @emilyvcole.bsky.social Sarah Newsome and Verena McCraig. It's a fascinating structure, both for its ballroom origins and its use as an artillery museum.
liverpooluniversitypress.co.uk/doi/book/10....
liverpooluniversitypress.co.uk/doi/book/10....
July 21, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Great to see a new publication by @livunipress.bsky.social on the Woolwich Rotunda by @emilyvcole.bsky.social Sarah Newsome and Verena McCraig. It's a fascinating structure, both for its ballroom origins and its use as an artillery museum.
liverpooluniversitypress.co.uk/doi/book/10....
liverpooluniversitypress.co.uk/doi/book/10....
Back on the @napoleonicquarterly.com podcast this week, talking about Robert Emmet's attempted rising in 1803, his doomed love affair with Sarah Curran, and his legacy to Irish revolutionaries ever since.
#IrishHistory #NapoleonicHistory
open.spotify.com/episode/1WHb...
#IrishHistory #NapoleonicHistory
open.spotify.com/episode/1WHb...
July 16, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Back on the @napoleonicquarterly.com podcast this week, talking about Robert Emmet's attempted rising in 1803, his doomed love affair with Sarah Curran, and his legacy to Irish revolutionaries ever since.
#IrishHistory #NapoleonicHistory
open.spotify.com/episode/1WHb...
#IrishHistory #NapoleonicHistory
open.spotify.com/episode/1WHb...
Many locals sheltered the fleeing rebels (some supposedly stayed and married local girls!), even at least one of the gentry. John Pollock of Mountainstown House was said to have helped rebels hidden on his land, and this cross was erected on the estate in 1998. 3/3
July 14, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Many locals sheltered the fleeing rebels (some supposedly stayed and married local girls!), even at least one of the gentry. John Pollock of Mountainstown House was said to have helped rebels hidden on his land, and this cross was erected on the estate in 1998. 3/3
The government forces had artillery and cavalry, and the insurgent army was destroyed & scattered. Some tried to escape in larger groups & were defeated again (such as at Ballyboughal) while others were lynched where they were captured. Many monuments across Meath commemorate them. 2/3
July 14, 2025 at 6:08 PM
The government forces had artillery and cavalry, and the insurgent army was destroyed & scattered. Some tried to escape in larger groups & were defeated again (such as at Ballyboughal) while others were lynched where they were captured. Many monuments across Meath commemorate them. 2/3
On this day in 1798: Last stand of the Wexford & Wicklow United Irishmen. The rebels had marched through Leinster for 23 days since defeat at Vinegar Hill. They were eventually brought to battle by government forces at Knightstown Bog, Wilkinstown, Co. Meath. 1/3 #18thC #IrishHistory
July 14, 2025 at 6:08 PM
On this day in 1798: Last stand of the Wexford & Wicklow United Irishmen. The rebels had marched through Leinster for 23 days since defeat at Vinegar Hill. They were eventually brought to battle by government forces at Knightstown Bog, Wilkinstown, Co. Meath. 1/3 #18thC #IrishHistory
This great shot by Copter View shows the extend of Tyrell's fortified mansion (bottom right corner of the main field), which dominated the Leinster Bridge crossing. The original Dublin turnpike follows the curve and crossed the Boyne in the bottom right of the image. 5/6
July 11, 2025 at 6:15 PM
This great shot by Copter View shows the extend of Tyrell's fortified mansion (bottom right corner of the main field), which dominated the Leinster Bridge crossing. The original Dublin turnpike follows the curve and crossed the Boyne in the bottom right of the image. 5/6
Tyrell's garrison consisted of both soldiers & yeomanry. As this illustration by Cruickshanks shows, the pikemen tried to fight & burn the sharpshooters out of the tower. 4/6
July 11, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Tyrell's garrison consisted of both soldiers & yeomanry. As this illustration by Cruickshanks shows, the pikemen tried to fight & burn the sharpshooters out of the tower. 4/6
Not much of the site remains but you still get a sense of the strength of the walls, & perhaps even some gun loops. It wasn't much but it was enough, especially when the rebels were short on firepower to breach the compound. 3/6
July 11, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Not much of the site remains but you still get a sense of the strength of the walls, & perhaps even some gun loops. It wasn't much but it was enough, especially when the rebels were short on firepower to breach the compound. 3/6
The rebels had the numbers but lack of artillery meant (as usual) they were unable to dislodge the garrison. John Tyrell owned the house with a strong wall around it, & his kinsman Thomas Tyrell, High Sheriff of Kildare, had fortified the site & added a turret in the walls. 2/6
July 11, 2025 at 6:15 PM
The rebels had the numbers but lack of artillery meant (as usual) they were unable to dislodge the garrison. John Tyrell owned the house with a strong wall around it, & his kinsman Thomas Tyrell, High Sheriff of Kildare, had fortified the site & added a turret in the walls. 2/6
On this day in 1798, the United Irishmen of Wexford and Wicklow, retreating from their defeat at #VinegarHill on 21 June, attempted to cross the Boyne into Meath at Leinster Bridge, Clonard. The rebels were repulsed by a stout defence of the crossing by local yeomanry and loyalists. #18thC 1/6
July 11, 2025 at 6:15 PM
On this day in 1798, the United Irishmen of Wexford and Wicklow, retreating from their defeat at #VinegarHill on 21 June, attempted to cross the Boyne into Meath at Leinster Bridge, Clonard. The rebels were repulsed by a stout defence of the crossing by local yeomanry and loyalists. #18thC 1/6
After two hours of artillery bombardment and under pressure from Lake's attack, the United Irishmen began to withdraw south. Maj. Gen. Needham had been delayed getting to Vinegar Hill, allowing their escape through this gap. Defeated, but not annihilated, they marched away... 6/8
June 21, 2025 at 3:15 PM
After two hours of artillery bombardment and under pressure from Lake's attack, the United Irishmen began to withdraw south. Maj. Gen. Needham had been delayed getting to Vinegar Hill, allowing their escape through this gap. Defeated, but not annihilated, they marched away... 6/8
The main attack came from Gen Lake's column from the north east, led by his light infantry. The light company of the Donegal Militia fought here, as part of the 4th Light Battalion under Lt Col Stewart. The deep lanes & hedgerows of the battlefield still exist in place. 5/8
June 21, 2025 at 3:15 PM
The main attack came from Gen Lake's column from the north east, led by his light infantry. The light company of the Donegal Militia fought here, as part of the 4th Light Battalion under Lt Col Stewart. The deep lanes & hedgerows of the battlefield still exist in place. 5/8
The main army under General Lake attacked Vinegar Hill from multiple directions, with heavy artillery support. Maj. Gen. Loftus seized a 'green hill' hear on the northern slopes & quickly brought up some guns which enfiladed the rebel front lines, forcing them back. 4/8
June 21, 2025 at 3:15 PM
The main army under General Lake attacked Vinegar Hill from multiple directions, with heavy artillery support. Maj. Gen. Loftus seized a 'green hill' hear on the northern slopes & quickly brought up some guns which enfiladed the rebel front lines, forcing them back. 4/8
The United Irishmen under Fr Mogue Kearns & William Barker engaged in such bitter and ferocious street fighting that Johnson was very slow to cross the bridge at Enniscorthy, delaying him from linking up with the other govt armies surrounding Vinegar Hill. 3/8
June 21, 2025 at 3:15 PM
The United Irishmen under Fr Mogue Kearns & William Barker engaged in such bitter and ferocious street fighting that Johnson was very slow to cross the bridge at Enniscorthy, delaying him from linking up with the other govt armies surrounding Vinegar Hill. 3/8
The main part of the Donegal Militia fought with Maj. Gen. Johnson in the attack on nearby Enniscorthy from the west, advancing down the hill from the Duffry Gate direction. The rebels had also attacked along this direction when they had taken the town on 28 May. 2/8
June 21, 2025 at 3:15 PM
The main part of the Donegal Militia fought with Maj. Gen. Johnson in the attack on nearby Enniscorthy from the west, advancing down the hill from the Duffry Gate direction. The rebels had also attacked along this direction when they had taken the town on 28 May. 2/8
On this day in 1798 the United Irishmen of Wexford were decisively defeated at Vinegar Hill by a large government army. A short 🧵on the Donegal Militia in the battle. #18thC #IrishHistory 1/8
June 21, 2025 at 3:15 PM
On this day in 1798 the United Irishmen of Wexford were decisively defeated at Vinegar Hill by a large government army. A short 🧵on the Donegal Militia in the battle. #18thC #IrishHistory 1/8
"Billy Pitt had them built, Buck Mulligan said, when the French were on the sea."
Joyce's Ulysses opens at the Martello tower at Sandycove. Tower No. 11 South, built in 1804 as one of 29 towers defending Dublin bay. 1/2 #Bloomsday
Joyce's Ulysses opens at the Martello tower at Sandycove. Tower No. 11 South, built in 1804 as one of 29 towers defending Dublin bay. 1/2 #Bloomsday
June 16, 2025 at 5:53 PM
"Billy Pitt had them built, Buck Mulligan said, when the French were on the sea."
Joyce's Ulysses opens at the Martello tower at Sandycove. Tower No. 11 South, built in 1804 as one of 29 towers defending Dublin bay. 1/2 #Bloomsday
Joyce's Ulysses opens at the Martello tower at Sandycove. Tower No. 11 South, built in 1804 as one of 29 towers defending Dublin bay. 1/2 #Bloomsday
William is probably best known for donating the 'Brian Ború' harp to Trinity College Dublin, but I think it's interesting that his military service with the Donegal Militia has largely been overlooked, despite him being in command for the last 3 years of his life. 9/10
May 31, 2025 at 10:56 PM
William is probably best known for donating the 'Brian Ború' harp to Trinity College Dublin, but I think it's interesting that his military service with the Donegal Militia has largely been overlooked, despite him being in command for the last 3 years of his life. 9/10