Dr Ciarán McDonnell
@drciaranmcdonnell.bsky.social
Historian: 18thC war & society (Jacobites, French Revolution & Napoleonic Wars), Irish in foreign armies (Wild Geese), Medieval history (Crusades).
Also interested in archaeology & heritage management.
https://ciaranmcdonnell.weebly.com/
Also interested in archaeology & heritage management.
https://ciaranmcdonnell.weebly.com/
Pinned
Hello new followers! Here's a list of some of my publications: first up, 'Loyalty and Rebellion: Irish soldiers in the British military during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars', published in 2022 with @britjnlmilhist.bsky.social. #OpenAcess
journals.gold.ac.uk/index.php/bj...
journals.gold.ac.uk/index.php/bj...
It was great fun to take part in a panel discussion on the Battle of Trafalgar this week, ahead of its 220th anniversary, on Newstalk's Talking History show. I spoke in particular about the impact of the battle on Ireland and the (many) Irish in the Royal Navy. open.spotify.com/episode/6ew8...
October 13, 2025 at 10:07 PM
It was great fun to take part in a panel discussion on the Battle of Trafalgar this week, ahead of its 220th anniversary, on Newstalk's Talking History show. I spoke in particular about the impact of the battle on Ireland and the (many) Irish in the Royal Navy. open.spotify.com/episode/6ew8...
Reposted by Dr Ciarán McDonnell
To mark the 220th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar, J.M.W. Turner’s monumental painting of the conflict will return to public view, following more than a year in storage.
www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/eng...
www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/eng...
England Expects: Turner's monumental tribute to Trafalgar returns to public display
To mark the 220th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar, J.M.W. Turner’s monumental painting of the conflict will return to public view, following more than a year in storage.
www.ianvisits.co.uk
October 7, 2025 at 1:06 PM
To mark the 220th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar, J.M.W. Turner’s monumental painting of the conflict will return to public view, following more than a year in storage.
www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/eng...
www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/eng...
Reposted by Dr Ciarán McDonnell
Tickets are now available for ‘Ireland and the American Revolution: 250th Anniversary Perspectives’. The conference will take place @tlrhub.bsky.social on the 9-10 October. For booking and more information use the link below.
www.eventbrite.ie/e/ireland-an...
www.eventbrite.ie/e/ireland-an...
August 27, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Tickets are now available for ‘Ireland and the American Revolution: 250th Anniversary Perspectives’. The conference will take place @tlrhub.bsky.social on the 9-10 October. For booking and more information use the link below.
www.eventbrite.ie/e/ireland-an...
www.eventbrite.ie/e/ireland-an...
Reposted by Dr Ciarán McDonnell
This Fri, 26 Sept: Join @nejohnst.bsky.social, Head of Early Modern Records @nationalarchives.gov.uk.web.brid.gy, for "Ireland 1485–1798: colonial laboratory?"
www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/whats-on/eve...
www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/whats-on/eve...
September 22, 2025 at 12:05 PM
This Fri, 26 Sept: Join @nejohnst.bsky.social, Head of Early Modern Records @nationalarchives.gov.uk.web.brid.gy, for "Ireland 1485–1798: colonial laboratory?"
www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/whats-on/eve...
www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/whats-on/eve...
Reposted by Dr Ciarán McDonnell
Eighteenth-Century Clickbait...
September 22, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Eighteenth-Century Clickbait...
Reposted by Dr Ciarán McDonnell
QUB History Seminar tomorrow at 4pm BST
September 25, 2025 at 3:30 PM
QUB History Seminar tomorrow at 4pm BST
Reposted by Dr Ciarán McDonnell
I was delighted to present at the 35th Irish Conference of Historians @maynoothuniversity.ie @irishhistorians.bsky.social It was a pleasure to be part of a stimulating panel on inner lives in the long eighteenth century, with fascinating insights and discussion from colleagues!
September 15, 2025 at 9:37 AM
I was delighted to present at the 35th Irish Conference of Historians @maynoothuniversity.ie @irishhistorians.bsky.social It was a pleasure to be part of a stimulating panel on inner lives in the long eighteenth century, with fascinating insights and discussion from colleagues!
I had a great day today at the 35th Irish Conference of Historians, catching up with old colleagues and meeting new ones too. An incredibly varied programme, everything from Italian futurism to ex-RIC in the Free State. Thanks to all for organising @irishhistorians.bsky.social @maynoothuniversity.ie
September 12, 2025 at 9:35 PM
I had a great day today at the 35th Irish Conference of Historians, catching up with old colleagues and meeting new ones too. An incredibly varied programme, everything from Italian futurism to ex-RIC in the Free State. Thanks to all for organising @irishhistorians.bsky.social @maynoothuniversity.ie
Nice to see my guide to the Medieval Walled Towns of Meath feature in the latest edition of the Walled Town Crier, focusing on Trim in particular.
#medieval #skystorians
irishwalledtownsnetwork.ie/e-zine/
#medieval #skystorians
irishwalledtownsnetwork.ie/e-zine/
September 2, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Nice to see my guide to the Medieval Walled Towns of Meath feature in the latest edition of the Walled Town Crier, focusing on Trim in particular.
#medieval #skystorians
irishwalledtownsnetwork.ie/e-zine/
#medieval #skystorians
irishwalledtownsnetwork.ie/e-zine/
Only two days left to see this fantastic exhibition! Get down to the Solstice Arts Centre in Navan on Friday or Saturday. @railwayarch.bsky.social @irishrail.bsky.social
An exhibition to mark 175 years since the railway came to Navan, Co Meath, will go on public display today.
Exhibition to mark 175 years since railway came to Navan
An exhibition to mark 175 years since the railway came to Navan, Co Meath, will go on public display today.
www.rte.ie
August 21, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Only two days left to see this fantastic exhibition! Get down to the Solstice Arts Centre in Navan on Friday or Saturday. @railwayarch.bsky.social @irishrail.bsky.social
Reposted by Dr Ciarán McDonnell
An exhibition to mark 175 years since the railway came to Navan, Co Meath, will go on public display today.
Exhibition to mark 175 years since railway came to Navan
An exhibition to mark 175 years since the railway came to Navan, Co Meath, will go on public display today.
www.rte.ie
August 20, 2025 at 5:52 AM
An exhibition to mark 175 years since the railway came to Navan, Co Meath, will go on public display today.
Getting ready for my 175 Years of Navan Railway exhibition! 20th-24th August at Solstice Arts Centre, Navan for Heritage Week. I'm giving a lecture at launch 20th Aug 6.30pm. All free but do book for lecture - more than half seats gone already! solsticeartscentre.ie/event/175-ye...
August 19, 2025 at 12:37 PM
Reposted by Dr Ciarán McDonnell
Preparing for my (& @zwhitehistory.bsky.social, @graemecallister.bsky.social, & friends!) event on 11 Oct 2025 at Apsley House in London where we'll have a #Waterloo display & talk for Black History Month about those African and Afro-Caribbean born soldiers who fought in that great battle #history
August 11, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Preparing for my (& @zwhitehistory.bsky.social, @graemecallister.bsky.social, & friends!) event on 11 Oct 2025 at Apsley House in London where we'll have a #Waterloo display & talk for Black History Month about those African and Afro-Caribbean born soldiers who fought in that great battle #history
Reposted by Dr Ciarán McDonnell
Would anyone be interested in doing a #BSECS2026 panel on Stanley Kubrick’s ‘Barry Lyndon’ (1975)?
August 10, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Would anyone be interested in doing a #BSECS2026 panel on Stanley Kubrick’s ‘Barry Lyndon’ (1975)?
Reposted by Dr Ciarán McDonnell
175 Years of Navan Railway, free exhibition at Solstice Arts Centre Navan 20th-24th August for Heritage Week. I curated this with Navan & District Historical Society. There'll be photos and original drawings on display. Book your free place for launch & lecture solsticeartscentre.ie/event/175-ye...
July 28, 2025 at 3:23 PM
175 Years of Navan Railway, free exhibition at Solstice Arts Centre Navan 20th-24th August for Heritage Week. I curated this with Navan & District Historical Society. There'll be photos and original drawings on display. Book your free place for launch & lecture solsticeartscentre.ie/event/175-ye...
Happy 250th birthday to Daniel O'Connell, born #OTD in 1775. I recently wrapped up a project that included looking through a lot of his letters and what really struck me was his character; warm & affectionate with family & friends, determined & passionate with his colleagues in their campaigns. 1/2
August 6, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Happy 250th birthday to Daniel O'Connell, born #OTD in 1775. I recently wrapped up a project that included looking through a lot of his letters and what really struck me was his character; warm & affectionate with family & friends, determined & passionate with his colleagues in their campaigns. 1/2
Reposted by Dr Ciarán McDonnell
***CALL FOR PROPOSALS***
Routledge Studies in #18thC Cultures & Societies (eds. @profelainechalus.bsky.social & Deborah Simonton) seeks proposals for book-length studies on aspects of British, European, or transnational culture and society c.1680-1850. Full details: www.bsecs.org.uk/news-and-eve...
Routledge Studies in #18thC Cultures & Societies (eds. @profelainechalus.bsky.social & Deborah Simonton) seeks proposals for book-length studies on aspects of British, European, or transnational culture and society c.1680-1850. Full details: www.bsecs.org.uk/news-and-eve...
New History Book Series Call for Proposals: Routledge Studies in Eighteenth- Century Cultures and Societies - BSECS
Series Editors: Elaine Chalus, University of Liverpool, UK and Deborah Simonton, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark Routledge Editor: Max Novick The long eighteenth century sits as a pivotal poin...
www.bsecs.org.uk
July 28, 2025 at 12:22 PM
***CALL FOR PROPOSALS***
Routledge Studies in #18thC Cultures & Societies (eds. @profelainechalus.bsky.social & Deborah Simonton) seeks proposals for book-length studies on aspects of British, European, or transnational culture and society c.1680-1850. Full details: www.bsecs.org.uk/news-and-eve...
Routledge Studies in #18thC Cultures & Societies (eds. @profelainechalus.bsky.social & Deborah Simonton) seeks proposals for book-length studies on aspects of British, European, or transnational culture and society c.1680-1850. Full details: www.bsecs.org.uk/news-and-eve...
Reposted by Dr Ciarán McDonnell
Enjoy reading about #18thc history in July!
Here is a list of new #nonfiction #books about the 18th century scheduled for this month: regency-explorer.net/new-releases/ - updated! -
#Regency #Napoleon #history #JaneAusten #read
Here is a list of new #nonfiction #books about the 18th century scheduled for this month: regency-explorer.net/new-releases/ - updated! -
#Regency #Napoleon #history #JaneAusten #read
July 26, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Enjoy reading about #18thc history in July!
Here is a list of new #nonfiction #books about the 18th century scheduled for this month: regency-explorer.net/new-releases/ - updated! -
#Regency #Napoleon #history #JaneAusten #read
Here is a list of new #nonfiction #books about the 18th century scheduled for this month: regency-explorer.net/new-releases/ - updated! -
#Regency #Napoleon #history #JaneAusten #read
I had a great time with @andnapoleon.bsky.social discussing l'Expédition d'Irlande, one of the great 'What Ifs' of #IrishHistory.
#18thC #skystorians
#18thC #skystorians
🚨New episode🚨- the French invasion of Ireland has arrived! In 1796, the French made an abortive attempt to invade Ireland. Special guest Ciaran McDonnell discusses the expedition and the reasons for its failure. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/g... @drciaranmcdonnell.bsky.social
July 26, 2025 at 7:02 PM
I had a great time with @andnapoleon.bsky.social discussing l'Expédition d'Irlande, one of the great 'What Ifs' of #IrishHistory.
#18thC #skystorians
#18thC #skystorians
Reposted by Dr Ciarán McDonnell
In what may be the oldest depiction of a gun an Irish manuscript - an ink drawing of a musket on a @nlireland.bsky.social charter from 1543 from the earl of Ormond to a Martin Potercelo granting property in Kilkenny. Potercelo is described as a 'gonn-' or gonner (gunner) in the grant.
July 18, 2025 at 9:27 AM
In what may be the oldest depiction of a gun an Irish manuscript - an ink drawing of a musket on a @nlireland.bsky.social charter from 1543 from the earl of Ormond to a Martin Potercelo granting property in Kilkenny. Potercelo is described as a 'gonn-' or gonner (gunner) in the grant.
🏰 Publication day! 🏰 Delighted to see my new guide to the Medieval Walled Towns of Meath is now available to download from the @heritagecouncil.ie website. It was a fun project to work on, exploring the histories of Trim, Navan, Kells and Athboy.
irishwalledtownsnetwork.ie/new-publicat...
irishwalledtownsnetwork.ie/new-publicat...
New Publication: The Medieval Walled Towns of Meath - Irish Walled Towns Network
A new guide to the medieval walled towns of Meath features Athboy, Kells, Navan & Trim. Produced by Abarta Heritage for Meath County Council.
irishwalledtownsnetwork.ie
July 24, 2025 at 3:48 PM
🏰 Publication day! 🏰 Delighted to see my new guide to the Medieval Walled Towns of Meath is now available to download from the @heritagecouncil.ie website. It was a fun project to work on, exploring the histories of Trim, Navan, Kells and Athboy.
irishwalledtownsnetwork.ie/new-publicat...
irishwalledtownsnetwork.ie/new-publicat...
Reposted by Dr Ciarán McDonnell
***Engagement Officer Vacancy***
We're looking for an engagement officer to act as primary point of contact for #18thC centres across the UK, and to oversee our outreach and engagement. It's a voluntary role, but associated travel & accommodation expenses are paid...
www.bsecs.org.uk/the-society/...
We're looking for an engagement officer to act as primary point of contact for #18thC centres across the UK, and to oversee our outreach and engagement. It's a voluntary role, but associated travel & accommodation expenses are paid...
www.bsecs.org.uk/the-society/...
Vacancies - BSECS
Vacancies on the Council This page gives details of any current vacancies on the BSECS Council. Vacancies are normally advertised in the autumn of the year and appointments are made or elections held ...
www.bsecs.org.uk
July 23, 2025 at 8:30 AM
***Engagement Officer Vacancy***
We're looking for an engagement officer to act as primary point of contact for #18thC centres across the UK, and to oversee our outreach and engagement. It's a voluntary role, but associated travel & accommodation expenses are paid...
www.bsecs.org.uk/the-society/...
We're looking for an engagement officer to act as primary point of contact for #18thC centres across the UK, and to oversee our outreach and engagement. It's a voluntary role, but associated travel & accommodation expenses are paid...
www.bsecs.org.uk/the-society/...
Reposted by Dr Ciarán McDonnell
This visually stunning and informative book includes 115 illustrations. Here is a selection of images from The Woolwich Rotunda, courtesy of the Historic England Archive and the Royal Artillery Museum. bit.ly/HERotunda #Heritage #Architecture
![A photograph of the Rotunda viewed from the south, taken head on with blue skies above, trees either side of the building, and the doors ajar. [Chris Redgrave © Historic England Archive, DP487796]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:32czjyaipq5x36y6sut5hpmc/bafkreicnyddrk5oucmwzew3hiol2tnwafkkipwl5r3245ijgpxjgpit6au@jpeg)
![A black and white photograph of military officers practising drills in the grounds of the Royal Military Repository, with the Rotunda Museum visible in the background, c. 1864. [Royal Artillery Museum, AL/44/650]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:32czjyaipq5x36y6sut5hpmc/bafkreicljm5niitgjrj7chywsvcwarykuvzza32n2ymoqxa7t2y2wnpprq@jpeg)
![Photograph of the inside of the Rotunda, showing the fully scaffolded interior. Photographed in 2024. [Chris Redgrave © Historic England Archive, DP487786]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:32czjyaipq5x36y6sut5hpmc/bafkreih7l2p3jcssjf5hx6yusi2ul6jqpaoboqhrthlhy7gnkbawe4nzkq@jpeg)
![Aerial photograph looking south-west across the former Royal Military Repository site, with the Rotunda centre-left, trees in the centre, and a road along the right hand side. [Damian Grady © Historic England Archive, 27322_014]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:32czjyaipq5x36y6sut5hpmc/bafkreieo2to7jbvpoqnfhpfjk2e3uepz7kw6rm2ujssdd6ah6v54t7pvpe@jpeg)
June 28, 2025 at 9:30 AM
This visually stunning and informative book includes 115 illustrations. Here is a selection of images from The Woolwich Rotunda, courtesy of the Historic England Archive and the Royal Artillery Museum. bit.ly/HERotunda #Heritage #Architecture
Reposted by Dr Ciarán McDonnell
It was wonderful to see friends, #HistoricEngland colleagues, stakeholders and so many others at the launch of our book on the Woolwich Rotunda earlier this week. For details, see: bsky.app/profile/livu...
July 17, 2025 at 10:41 AM
It was wonderful to see friends, #HistoricEngland colleagues, stakeholders and so many others at the launch of our book on the Woolwich Rotunda earlier this week. For details, see: bsky.app/profile/livu...