Gerard Shannon
@gerardshannon.bsky.social
Public historian of the Irish revolutionary period of 1912-23. Biographer of Liam Lynch and Rory O'Connor, both available from Merrion Press. MA in History from DCU. More can be found here: https://gerardshannon.com/
Pinned
You might know his name. You may even know about his tragic end. But I promise, you really don't know his story and his part in the fight for Irish freedom.
Delighted to announce my second book, 'Rory O'Connor: To Defend the Republic' will see release in bookshops February 2026 from Merrion Press.
Delighted to announce my second book, 'Rory O'Connor: To Defend the Republic' will see release in bookshops February 2026 from Merrion Press.
Farewell to the Presidency of Michael D. Higgins. Rather surreally, on not one, but two occasions the last few years I visited the Áras to give him a copy of a book I wrote.
November 10, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Farewell to the Presidency of Michael D. Higgins. Rather surreally, on not one, but two occasions the last few years I visited the Áras to give him a copy of a book I wrote.
Reposted by Gerard Shannon
My school friend meeting my college friend for the first time:
“[greeting in outrageous Longford accent]”
College friend to me talking out of the side of his mouth Clareman-like in outrageous Clare accent:
“Is this lad for real?”
“[greeting in outrageous Longford accent]”
College friend to me talking out of the side of his mouth Clareman-like in outrageous Clare accent:
“Is this lad for real?”
November 8, 2025 at 12:09 AM
My school friend meeting my college friend for the first time:
“[greeting in outrageous Longford accent]”
College friend to me talking out of the side of his mouth Clareman-like in outrageous Clare accent:
“Is this lad for real?”
“[greeting in outrageous Longford accent]”
College friend to me talking out of the side of his mouth Clareman-like in outrageous Clare accent:
“Is this lad for real?”
Reposted by Gerard Shannon
Some of the reactions to President Connolly intending to make Irish the working language of the Áras really give a glimpse into the "fastest goalposts in Ireland" environment that Gaeilge is forced to justify its existence in.
November 7, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Some of the reactions to President Connolly intending to make Irish the working language of the Áras really give a glimpse into the "fastest goalposts in Ireland" environment that Gaeilge is forced to justify its existence in.
Reposted by Gerard Shannon
This *other* young NYC mayor was grandson & namesake of nationalist John Mitchel
My article on another young New York Mayor is up! www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2...
Meet the grandson of an Irish nationalist who became mayor of NY
Zohran Mamdani will be New York's youngest mayor in more than a century - the youngest before him was the grandson of an Irish nationalist and largely forgotten
www.rte.ie
November 5, 2025 at 5:15 PM
This *other* young NYC mayor was grandson & namesake of nationalist John Mitchel
Reposted by Gerard Shannon
The new Coca-Cola Christmas ad really puts the AI into "dead-eyed animals"
November 4, 2025 at 11:56 PM
The new Coca-Cola Christmas ad really puts the AI into "dead-eyed animals"
I'd love to do a history talk in Derry next year, on Rory O'Connor or any of my other subjects. Who could I talk to (or for) there?
November 4, 2025 at 10:01 PM
I'd love to do a history talk in Derry next year, on Rory O'Connor or any of my other subjects. Who could I talk to (or for) there?
Reposted by Gerard Shannon
One of the more depressing features of any 'debate' about sectarianism in this country is the inability of some to understand that two things can be true at the same time; that people you may dislike can suffer sectarian abuse and that this is just as wrong as people we agree with suffering it.
November 1, 2025 at 10:41 AM
One of the more depressing features of any 'debate' about sectarianism in this country is the inability of some to understand that two things can be true at the same time; that people you may dislike can suffer sectarian abuse and that this is just as wrong as people we agree with suffering it.
Reposted by Gerard Shannon
This is attempted murder
So it wasn't fireworks. It was a calculated and deliberate attempt at the mass murder of men, women and children.
www.thetimes.com/article/0887...
www.thetimes.com/article/0887...
CCTV catches moment intruder torched asylum centre housing children
Gardai have rebranded attack in Drogheda as a potential attempted murder after camera footage was released
www.thetimes.com
November 1, 2025 at 10:57 PM
This is attempted murder
www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/co... British justice in Ireland.
Former paratrooper Soldier F found not guilty of murder in Bloody Sunday trial
British army veteran acquitted of murder and attempted murder at Belfast Crown Court
www.irishtimes.com
October 23, 2025 at 10:19 PM
www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/co... British justice in Ireland.
Reposted by Gerard Shannon
Shoutout to whoever was like the news sucks, let’s spice it up by doing a jewel heist at the Louvre
October 19, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Shoutout to whoever was like the news sucks, let’s spice it up by doing a jewel heist at the Louvre
TRUE THAT!
They'll look good side by side !
Peorder for February ( with free shipping) up now at thebookshop.ie/gerard-shann...
Peorder for February ( with free shipping) up now at thebookshop.ie/gerard-shann...
October 19, 2025 at 11:39 AM
TRUE THAT!
You might know his name. You may even know about his tragic end. But I promise, you really don't know his story and his part in the fight for Irish freedom.
Delighted to announce my second book, 'Rory O'Connor: To Defend the Republic' will see release in bookshops February 2026 from Merrion Press.
Delighted to announce my second book, 'Rory O'Connor: To Defend the Republic' will see release in bookshops February 2026 from Merrion Press.
October 18, 2025 at 4:53 PM
You might know his name. You may even know about his tragic end. But I promise, you really don't know his story and his part in the fight for Irish freedom.
Delighted to announce my second book, 'Rory O'Connor: To Defend the Republic' will see release in bookshops February 2026 from Merrion Press.
Delighted to announce my second book, 'Rory O'Connor: To Defend the Republic' will see release in bookshops February 2026 from Merrion Press.
I feel so seen.
October 18, 2025 at 3:02 PM
I feel so seen.
Reposted by Gerard Shannon
Launches coming up in both Dublin and Kerry in November so stay tuned for details!
Available now from @ucdpress.bsky.social for pre-orders at www.ucdpress.ie
#books #history #politics
Available now from @ucdpress.bsky.social for pre-orders at www.ucdpress.ie
#books #history #politics
October 9, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Launches coming up in both Dublin and Kerry in November so stay tuned for details!
Available now from @ucdpress.bsky.social for pre-orders at www.ucdpress.ie
#books #history #politics
Available now from @ucdpress.bsky.social for pre-orders at www.ucdpress.ie
#books #history #politics
Reposted by Gerard Shannon
For anyone who needs context, the burning of Cork in 1920 was in no way a ‘mystery’. British troops went from building to building, setting fires and then hung around to hold back fire-fighters, including cutting their hoses. The city centre looked like London after the Blitz.
The British Pathe title card for this film of the 1920 burning of Cork describes it as a “mystery fire” 🤔
Ireland’s Agony
The Burning of Cork by British forces took place on the night of December 11th and 12th 1920 during the Irish War of Independence. It followed
ifiarchiveplayer.ie
October 9, 2025 at 8:41 AM
For anyone who needs context, the burning of Cork in 1920 was in no way a ‘mystery’. British troops went from building to building, setting fires and then hung around to hold back fire-fighters, including cutting their hoses. The city centre looked like London after the Blitz.
Greta. ❤️ youtube.com/shorts/0diMS...
Greta Thunberg: ‘We Are Not Heroes. We Are Doing The Bare Minimum’
YouTube video by Novara Media
youtube.com
October 6, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Greta. ❤️ youtube.com/shorts/0diMS...
Reposted by Gerard Shannon
I'm getting a sense of a generational divide (as well as an obvious class one) on the Jim Gavin story. Older people I've spoken to seem quite sorry for him but everyone my age and younger seems to see this as a kind of vicarious revenge fantasy for all the bad landlords they've had over the years!
October 6, 2025 at 3:15 PM
I'm getting a sense of a generational divide (as well as an obvious class one) on the Jim Gavin story. Older people I've spoken to seem quite sorry for him but everyone my age and younger seems to see this as a kind of vicarious revenge fantasy for all the bad landlords they've had over the years!
Reposted by Gerard Shannon
When you see the summary of what Gavin did, it's egregious. I know it's been a tough campaign with scurrilous and unfounded allegations spread on social media that have been very upsetting for his family and hard not to feel for him on that front but his behaviour as a landlord was disgraceful.
October 6, 2025 at 7:42 AM
When you see the summary of what Gavin did, it's egregious. I know it's been a tough campaign with scurrilous and unfounded allegations spread on social media that have been very upsetting for his family and hard not to feel for him on that front but his behaviour as a landlord was disgraceful.
Reposted by Gerard Shannon
"There are only two tragedies in life: one is not getting what one wants, and the other is getting it."
― Oscar Wilde
― Oscar Wilde
October 6, 2025 at 12:35 AM
"There are only two tragedies in life: one is not getting what one wants, and the other is getting it."
― Oscar Wilde
― Oscar Wilde
Reposted by Gerard Shannon
Jim Gavin’s tenant must feel incredible right now
October 5, 2025 at 10:27 PM
Jim Gavin’s tenant must feel incredible right now
Reposted by Gerard Shannon
This still going ahead?
October 5, 2025 at 10:47 PM
This still going ahead?
Reposted by Gerard Shannon
We used to be a real country
Seán Gallagher wouldn't have walked away like this and he'd still have kept the three grand
October 5, 2025 at 10:15 PM
We used to be a real country
Reposted by Gerard Shannon
Jim Gavin quits Irish presidential race.
Irish media tomorrow:
"CATHERINE CONNOLLY ONCE BORROWED A LIBRARY BOOK ABOUT TROTSKY!!"
Irish media tomorrow:
"CATHERINE CONNOLLY ONCE BORROWED A LIBRARY BOOK ABOUT TROTSKY!!"
October 5, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Jim Gavin quits Irish presidential race.
Irish media tomorrow:
"CATHERINE CONNOLLY ONCE BORROWED A LIBRARY BOOK ABOUT TROTSKY!!"
Irish media tomorrow:
"CATHERINE CONNOLLY ONCE BORROWED A LIBRARY BOOK ABOUT TROTSKY!!"
Reposted by Gerard Shannon
If you're in Dublin tomorrow evening grab your ticket for this free event as part of Dublin Festival of History in Pearse Street Library #Oralhistory #Dublin
🎟️Only a few tickets left for OHNI's Dublin Festival of History event! It's happening this Monday at Pearse St Library.
All the info you need is below.
#OralHistory #HistFest2025 #OHNI #DublinLibraries #PearseStreet #Dublin
All the info you need is below.
#OralHistory #HistFest2025 #OHNI #DublinLibraries #PearseStreet #Dublin
📢Last few days to secure your FREE ticket to the OHNI Dublin Festival of History event.
Final tickets remain— book yours today!
🗓️Monday 6th Oct, 6:30-7:30pm
📍Pearse Street Library, Dublin
🎟️Ticket info below.
#OralHistory #DublinFestivalOfHistory #PearseSt #OHNI @dublincitylibs.bsky.social
Final tickets remain— book yours today!
🗓️Monday 6th Oct, 6:30-7:30pm
📍Pearse Street Library, Dublin
🎟️Ticket info below.
#OralHistory #DublinFestivalOfHistory #PearseSt #OHNI @dublincitylibs.bsky.social
October 5, 2025 at 10:08 PM
If you're in Dublin tomorrow evening grab your ticket for this free event as part of Dublin Festival of History in Pearse Street Library #Oralhistory #Dublin