Marie Coleman

Queen's University Belfast

Professor Marie Coleman is Professor of Twentieth Century Irish History and Head of History at Queen's University Belfast.

How the Treaty caused an irrevocable split in Cumann na mBan

History • 16 Mar 23

How unionism's old distrust of the south threatened the agreement

Unionists had feared "the south" had designs on the north since the Treaty was signed in 1921. This distrust led to serious tension during the lead up to the Belfast Agreement, as Marie Coleman explains

Good Friday Agreement • 30 Mar 23

The legendary Gaelic footballer who was imprisoned in 1916

He was the 1916 and War of Independence veteran who organised Gaelic football matches behind bars. In this extract from the Dictionary of Irish Biography's new book Irish Sporting Lives, Marie Coleman

History • 09 Feb 23

Diarmuid O'Hegarty. Image courtesy of Kilmainham Gaol Museum/OPW KMGLM 20BK-1K32-06

Diarmuid O'Hegarty: the civil servant of the revolution

He was a civil servant turned revolutionary and became the focus of "republican bitterness" in the Civil War. In this entry from the Royal Irish Academy's Dictionary of Irish Biography, Marie Coleman and William Murphy tell his story

History • 05 Nov 20

Courtesy of Kilmainham Gaol Museum/OPW KMGLM 19PC-3N12-14

Dick McKee: the Dublin Brigade leader who died on Bloody Sunday

He was the young printer who helped plan some of the most significant moments in the War of Independence - and met a violent end. In this entry from the Royal Irish Academy's Dictionary of Irish Biography, Marie Coleman tells the story of Dick McKee

History • 10 Oct 20

Who were the Black and Tans and the Auxiliaries?

The words Black and Tan have become synonymous with brutality in Ireland. But who were they?

Martial Law • 28 Jan 21

Oscar Traynor: rebel goalkeeper who became Minister for Defence

History • 15 Aug 20

Elizabeth Mernin. Image courtesy of the National Library of Ireland

Elizabeth Mernin: The "Little Gentleman" in Dublin Castle

As an intelligence agent, she was known as "Little Gentleman" - one of Michael Collins' most important contacts in Dublin Castle. In this entry from the Royal Irish Academy's Dictionary of Irish Biography, Marie Coleman tells the story of Elizabeth Mernin

History • 23 Jul 20