Helene O'Keeffe

Helene O'Keeffe is a historian, author and project manager, based in UCC's School of History.

Barefoot children look on as National Army troops gather in Bruff, County Limerick after taking the town in early August 1922. Image courtesy of the National Library of Ireland

Unintended victims: child casualties of the Irish Civil War

The youngest victim of the Civil War was just two years old. Helene O'Keeffe explains how children ended up caught in the conflict.

Civil War Fatalities • 20 Mar 24

'An end and a beginning': birth of the Irish Free State

It was the beginning of an independent Ireland - but the new Saorstát Éireann's lingering ties to Britain were unacceptable to many. Helene O'Keeffe tells the story

History • 05 Dec 22

Soldiers on board the SS Lady Wicklow watching land for snipers as they approach Passage West, Cork in August 1922. Image courtesy of the National Library of Ireland

What was the Conventional Phase of the Civil War?

There were two phases to the Civil War. The first is known as the Conventional phase - and it was more dramatic than its name suggests, as Helene O'Keeffe explains.

Conventional Phase • 11 Aug 22

Photograph of the Dáil Government and Provisional Government with supporters in background, January 1922. Image courtesy of the National Library of Ireland

Blurred lines: the Provisional Government of the Irish Free State

The British may have formally handed over power in January 1922, but the subsequent creation of a new government was a complex business. Helene O'Keeffe explains what happened.

Dublin Castle • 12 Jan 22

A funeral procession in famine Ireland. Source: Getty Images

How the Temporary Fever Act failed to stop epidemics

Infectious disease was the single biggest cause of death during the Famine. The Temporary Fever Act of 1846 was an attempt to combat an epidemic - but with little success, as Helene O'Keefe explains

Famine Ireland • 25 Feb 21

May Gibney in her Cumann ma mBan uniform. Courtesy of Kilmainham Gaol Museum/OPW 19PO-1A22-27

RTÉ History in the Junior and Senior Cycle history classroom

From the Great Famine to the revolutionary period of the early 20th century, RTE History provides a wealth of accessible material by noted historians, along with a huge range of maps archival images and more, to support secondary school history students

History • 27 Jan 21

A montage of images from the RTE History website

History resources for secondary teachers and students

Based on the Atlas of the Irish Revolution from UCC, these downloadable workbooks, lesson plans, overviews and document packs make historical research accessible to secondary school students from Junior Cycle to Leaving Cert

History • 13 Sep 21

Interactive map: how the border could have been

The line of what became the Irish border could have been very different. Explore the possibilities with our interactive map

History • 18 Dec 20

An old customs building at a border crossing in Co Donegal

Road to Partition: how the border was drawn up

A very different border could have been chosen, but by the time the Better Government of Ireland act passed on 23 December 1920, the line between what would become Northern Ireland and the rest of the island had been drawn.

History • 21 Dec 20

A cartoon shows Lloyd George tangled up by the Irish Question

Road to partition: the plan to divide Ireland

Partition became a reality after the December 1921 Anglo-Irish treaty, but the idea had been suggested years before and the border was enshrined in the Better Government of Ireland Act in December 1920. Here's how it all began.

History • 22 Dec 20