Category Archives: Irish History

The Irish Fascists who fought for Franco

Posted on October 15, 2023 by historyatkingston

During some research on the extent to which General Francisco Franco and his Nationalists received international support from fascists and other rightwing sympathisers during the Spanish Civil War, I took another look at the Irish contribution. This came principally from … Continue reading →

Posted in Anti-fascism, European History, Extremism, Fascism, Historiography, History of war, Irish History, Media history, Nazism, Public History, Research, Uncategorized, World History | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

On the Tracks of Treason: Some thoughts on Lord Haw-Haw

Posted on February 20, 2023 by historyatkingston

Wandering around the recent ‘Treason’ special exhibition held at the National Archives, Kew, I encountered a black-and-white image of ‘Lord Haw-Haw’ (William Joyce), the notorious radio broadcaster and pro-Nazi propagandist of World War Two, and some details about his trial … Continue reading →

Posted in Anti-fascism, Archives, British history, Extremism, Fascism, Historiography, History of war, Irish History, Media history, Public History, Secret State, Teaching, The National Archives | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

When Truth Dies, Justice is Buried with it: The Stalker Affair (part 1)

Posted on January 9, 2022 by historyatkingston

It was in late 1982, in County Armagh, that the ground for the Stalker Affair was laid. Six men, one just seventeen years of age, were killed in disputed circumstances by the Royal Ulster Constabulary’s Headquarters Mobile Support Unit (HMSU) … Continue reading →

Posted in British Empire, British history, European History, History of war, History skills, Irish History, Media history, Public History, Research, Secret State, The National Archives, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Collusion and Terror? The Murder of Patrick Finucane, the Role of Brian Nelson, and the Report of the Da Silva Review

Posted on June 17, 2021 by historyatkingston

It is 7.25pm on 12th February, 1989. The Finucane family are sitting at the dinner table for their Sunday meal in their Belfast home, when a loud crash sounds from the hallway; two men had smashed through the front door … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Historiography, Irish History, Media history, Public History, Research, Secret State, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Exploring the African Congo: The brief but dramatic career of Joseph Moloney (1858-1896)

Posted on March 14, 2021 by historyatkingston

Being a historian is rather like being a detective. A simple inscription on an old broken memorial led me to piece together a fascinating story about human endurance. The main cemetery in Kingston-on-Thames in Surrey contains the grave of a … Continue reading →

Posted in African History, British Empire, British history, European History, History of Medicine, Irish History, Kingston, Local History, London history, Medical History, Public History, Research, Surrey, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

A Juxtaposition? Western Democracy and Death Squads

Posted on September 20, 2020 by historyatkingston

What constitutes a death squad? Jeff Sluka states they are “linked directly or indirectly with regular security forces, but sometimes they are part of… civilian rightwing paramilitary groups who kill people the state wants, or doesn’t mind being, killed”. They … Continue reading →

Posted in African History, American history, British Empire, British history, Irish History, Media history, Middle East, Public History, Research, Secret State, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments