Séan Ó Duibhir

NUI Galway

Dr Séan Ó Duibhir is a part-time lecturer in the Department of History and the Centre for Adult Learning and Professional Development at NUI Galway.

A billboard poster for Des O'Malley's Progressive Democrats during the 1992 General Election. Photo: Rolling News

A short history of small Irish political parties with big impacts

From the Businessmen's Party to the Workers' Party, many small political parties have made a pitch to Irish voters

Politics • 02 Sep 21

John Hume, Garret FitzGerald, Charles Haughey and Dick Spring at the first meeting of the New Ireland Forum in 1983

Did the New Ireland Forum play a part in the peace process?

While the 1984 report provoked Margaret Thatcher's infamous 'out, out, out' remarks, it also had some important long-term consequences

History • 12 Aug 21

A RAF Wessex helicopter on border patrol in Northern Ireland in December 1969. Photo:Watford/Mirrorpix via Getty Images

How the RAF contributed to Taoiseach Jack Lynch's fall from power

The recent furore over foreign aircraft in Irish-controlled airspace is not the first time this has occured

History • 08 Jul 21

All eyes on Dublin Bay South. Photo: House of the Oireachtas (Open Data) PSI Licence

A short history of colourful Irish by-elections

Will the Dublin Bay South by-election better the stories of maggots, donkeys and army mutinies we've seen in the past?

Politics • 14 Jun 21

Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams is interviewed by Joe Little in the reception area of RTÉ Television Centre in January 1994 after the Section 31 ban had been lifted. Photo: Thomas Holton/RTÉ Stills Library

A short history of Ireland's Section 31 broadcasting ban

The infamous clause of the Broadcasting Act was a contentious issue during coverage of the Troubles

History • 26 May 21

Garret FitzGerald at the Fine Gael Ard Fheis (1981)

Did a tax on children's shoes really cause a government to fall?

Myths can be powerful drivers of narrative, and of public perceptions and contrary to popular belief, the likelihood is that the infamous 'tax on children's ...

History • 16 Apr 21

Fine Gael's first leader Eoin O'Duffy at a rally of the Blueshirts. To his right is Alfred Byrne, the Lord Mayor of Dublin. Photo: Hulton Archive/ Getty Images

Why there would be no Fine Gael without the Blueshirts

A key figure in the foundation of Fine Gael and the party's first leader was Irish fascist Eoin O'Duffy

History • 23 Mar 21

Former Taoiseach and president Éamon de Valera: his experience with the League of Nations meant he was sceptical about joining the United Nations

'A thieves' kitchen': Ireland's lukewarm reaction to the UN

While now a highly respected member of the United Nations, Ireland's initial reaction to the organisation was far from enthusiastic

History • 05 Feb 21

The aftermath of the Provisional IRA ambush at Warrenpoint in 1979 which killed 18 British soldiers

A short history of the many groups who've claimed to be the IRA

From the Neutral IRA to dalliances with the Nazis, many different organisations have used the IRA name over the years

History • 16 Dec 20

Sinn Féin's TDs line up after the 2020 general election

A guide to the many groups who've used the Sinn Féin name

Since the name emerged in 1907, many different organisations have claimed to be Sinn Féin of one sort or another

Politics • 25 Nov 20

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