John Crotty author
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itsjohncrotty.bsky.social
John Crotty author
@itsjohncrotty.bsky.social
Published author & historian | Books ‘The Irish Tricolour’ & ‘Spike Island’ out now | Leading authority on Irish symbols | Love to share interesting history, travel & writing | http://johncrottyauthor.com
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Spike Island is Ireland's historic Island, worthy of UNESCO recognition

Yet most people don't know its rich history or global significance

Here are 17 short tweets that explain why Ireland's Alcatraz will be known everywhere as a true world wonder (1)
Not one but 2 articles to write this weekend

Wildly differing topics:

‘The diminishment of Gaelic Ireland’

‘The truth of Ireland’s Tricolour’

Prepare the coffee…
January 17, 2026 at 10:47 AM
Colour image from my upcoming book ‘The Irish Tricolour’

The Hill of Tara

When we think of Irish identity, nowhere better represents this. It expresses an all island spiritual, legal & political identity that long predates modern nationalism

A place of Gods & Kings

Pic: Noel Meehan - Copter View
January 14, 2026 at 10:51 PM
Considered by many the most beautiful book ever made

The Book of Kells was crafted in 800AD by Irish monks, a highpoint in Irish craft

Lavish pigments from across Europe fused to make a masterpiece

From upcoming book ‘The Irish Tricolour’

©️Board of Trinity College Dublin, zoom in for a treat!
January 13, 2026 at 10:11 AM
Huge thanks @thebookshopie.bsky.social

In 4 weeks ‘The Irish Tricolour’ will completely re-write our understanding of Irish history

The who, what and where of Ireland’s symbols are blown open

Hold on to your historical hats - it’s going to be wild!

Pre-order now - tinyurl.com/4sbn7c9z
January 11, 2026 at 5:19 PM
Ireland has millennia of symbology

Some of our oldest symbols are over 5000 years old

On #StPatricksDay what is the history & pedigree of Ireland's oldest symbols (1)
March 17, 2025 at 12:04 PM
I’d like to report a crime…

#reading #writingcommunity
March 3, 2025 at 10:46 PM
We didn’t get a white one in Ireland this year

Here’s a throwback of a snowfall at the beautiful port town of Cobh, Cork

- Last departure point of Titanic
- Emigration place to America for millions
- Service town for Spike Island prison
- Irelands 3rd largest cathedral

#ireland #Cork
December 26, 2024 at 10:17 AM
If anyone needs a book recommendation for a history lover for Christmas, you won’t go wrong with this

Brilliant read by Bettany Hughes - full of scope and insight delivered in a digestible fashion

#history #christmas
December 17, 2024 at 11:20 AM
If anyone is wondering how many times you see your book on a bookshop shelf before it gets old

Never

It never gets old

Keep writing - it’ll come

(Eason’s #Dublin #Spikeisland)
December 16, 2024 at 3:04 PM
‘Let’s buy this tub of chocolates now and we won’t eat it until Christmas Day’

I said to my wife

Oh how we laughed 🎄
December 13, 2024 at 1:49 PM
I live happily knowing Rome is just a 3 hour flight away
December 10, 2024 at 2:46 PM
I planned a BIG weekend of writing and boy oh boy my house has never looked cleaner

I am a certified citizen of procrasti-Nation

#amwriting #writingcommunity
December 9, 2024 at 9:19 PM
The military credentials of Spike Island are remarkable

Winston Churchill would fight ferociously to retain the Irish island

Yet most people don't know the monumental effort taken to secure the western approaches

Here is the story of an island fortified to defend an Empire (1)
December 9, 2024 at 12:16 PM
December 7, 2024 at 11:56 AM
‘Spike Island’ is in the Bookshop.ie’s books of the year and can be found here

Discover the island where Irelands remembers its storied past…thebookshop.ie/john-crotty-...w/
December 5, 2024 at 2:34 PM
Chuffed to see ‘Spike Island’ named in the Irish Examiners 35 ‘Cork books of the year’

An incredible Irish historical location in a county resplendent with stories

Thanks @marjbrennan.bsky.social

www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...

#Cork #merrionpress
December 4, 2024 at 1:44 PM
Reposted by John Crotty author
Pentagon Fortresses are cool

A thread
Spike Island - one of the worlds most important historical locations

A 7th century monastery & scriptorium for 500 years

An island prison on 4 occasions over 400 years

An enormous fortress started during the American War of Independence

A quaint island home for centuries…

#Ireland #history
December 4, 2024 at 9:26 AM
Reposted by John Crotty author
Kay I'm unsure why but something tells me you might be into these Fortresses

Whole thread on them.

All over Eastern USA . Canada

bsky.app/profile/itsj...
Spike Island - one of the worlds most important historical locations

A 7th century monastery & scriptorium for 500 years

An island prison on 4 occasions over 400 years

An enormous fortress started during the American War of Independence

A quaint island home for centuries…

#Ireland #history
December 4, 2024 at 9:28 AM
Reposted by John Crotty author
Ireland's beautiful libraries...
Once more unto the research breach!

I’m off to 2 of our capital cities stunning research spaces

The National Library Reading room, 1890, has a stunning domed roof

While Marsh’s Library, 1707, is Irelands oldest

#research #amwriting #writing #nonfiction #Dublin
December 3, 2024 at 8:51 AM
While much of the world swings to the far right, Irelands rejects it entirely in a 2nd consecutive election ☘️👊🏻

Not 1 single anti-immigration candidate elected, from 60+ who ran

A nation who’s sons and daughters were forced to emigrate hasn’t forgotten, & doesn’t punch down (1)
December 3, 2024 at 8:11 AM
Once more unto the research breach!

I’m off to 2 of our capital cities stunning research spaces

The National Library Reading room, 1890, has a stunning domed roof

While Marsh’s Library, 1707, is Irelands oldest

#research #amwriting #writing #nonfiction #Dublin
December 3, 2024 at 7:44 AM
Non-fiction history author here, new to Bluesky

Hoping to connect to writers & book people of all genres

Drop me a line, like or follow so I can follow you back
November 30, 2024 at 4:06 PM
Joseph Dwyer was a well to do Dubliner in Victorian Ireland

He lived a high life until his father cut him off

Joseph faced curtailing his lavish lifestyle - or doing something unthinkable

This is the story of how Joseph Dwyer became know as ‘The Gravedigger’

johncrottyauthor.com/spike-island...
The Gravedigger - Dubliner Joseph Dwyer - John Crotty - author
Joseph Dwyer was a well to do Dubliner seeking the high life, but his shocking crime earned the nickname 'the gravedigger' at Spike Island
johncrottyauthor.com
November 29, 2024 at 3:24 PM
Spike Island is Ireland's historic Island, worthy of UNESCO recognition

Yet most people don't know its rich history or global significance

Here are 17 short tweets that explain why Ireland's Alcatraz will be known everywhere as a true world wonder (1)
November 28, 2024 at 10:18 AM