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/
My congrats to the great @owenoshea.bsky.social on the on the launch of his new book 'From Bullets to Ballots: Politics and Electioneering in Post-Civil War Kerry 1923 - 1933' on the political landscape in his native county in the initial years after the Civil War. (Based on Owen's PhD).
November 12, 2025 at 1:45 PM
My congrats to the great @owenoshea.bsky.social on the on the launch of his new book 'From Bullets to Ballots: Politics and Electioneering in Post-Civil War Kerry 1923 - 1933' on the political landscape in his native county in the initial years after the Civil War. (Based on Owen's PhD).
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.
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.
Just a heads up everyone. Due to unforseen circumstances, this talk for Wednesday, 1pm in City Hall is now cancelled. There will be plenty of chances to hear me speak about Rory next year, especially as a certain book is coming.
September 29, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Just a heads up everyone. Due to unforseen circumstances, this talk for Wednesday, 1pm in City Hall is now cancelled. There will be plenty of chances to hear me speak about Rory next year, especially as a certain book is coming.
This day last week it was an extraordinary honor to MC the commemoration marking 174 years since the passing of Anne Devlin and her extraordinary contribution to the cause of Irish freedom. Full report here: www.facebook.com/share/p/1B4R...
September 28, 2025 at 9:38 PM
This day last week it was an extraordinary honor to MC the commemoration marking 174 years since the passing of Anne Devlin and her extraordinary contribution to the cause of Irish freedom. Full report here: www.facebook.com/share/p/1B4R...
Folks, due to unforeseen circumstances, this fundraiser event has been postponed for a later date. Refunds have been issued and I will reschedule shortly.
September 15, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Folks, due to unforeseen circumstances, this fundraiser event has been postponed for a later date. Refunds have been issued and I will reschedule shortly.
On 16th September, 7pm, I have organised an event 'Irish Revolution Legacies' with two prominent historians exploring aspects of the early 20th century Irish revolutionary period. Fundraiser for WFP's Palestine Emergency Appeal. More details (and tickets) here: www.eventbrite.ie/e/irish-revo...
August 30, 2025 at 9:01 AM
On 16th September, 7pm, I have organised an event 'Irish Revolution Legacies' with two prominent historians exploring aspects of the early 20th century Irish revolutionary period. Fundraiser for WFP's Palestine Emergency Appeal. More details (and tickets) here: www.eventbrite.ie/e/irish-revo...
Dublin Festival of History, we're back! At Dublin City Hall on Wednesday, 1st October from 1pm - 2pm, I'll be doing a talk on IRA leader Rory O'Connor, ahead of my biography coming out in Spring 2026.
Free, but limited seating. Book early: dublinfestivalofhistory.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/...
Free, but limited seating. Book early: dublinfestivalofhistory.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/...
August 26, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Dublin Festival of History, we're back! At Dublin City Hall on Wednesday, 1st October from 1pm - 2pm, I'll be doing a talk on IRA leader Rory O'Connor, ahead of my biography coming out in Spring 2026.
Free, but limited seating. Book early: dublinfestivalofhistory.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/...
Free, but limited seating. Book early: dublinfestivalofhistory.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/...
I would like to thank Jamie Murphy and the entire staff of the Michael Collins House for having me speak on Thursday evening as part of their museum's programme for Heritage Week.
August 23, 2025 at 5:39 AM
I would like to thank Jamie Murphy and the entire staff of the Michael Collins House for having me speak on Thursday evening as part of their museum's programme for Heritage Week.
Collins Country ... we've landed!
August 21, 2025 at 10:54 PM
Collins Country ... we've landed!
'It is not those who can inflict the most but those who can endure the most who will conquer.'
Terence MacSwiney's hunger strike began 105 years ago today.
Terence MacSwiney's hunger strike began 105 years ago today.
August 12, 2025 at 7:53 PM
'It is not those who can inflict the most but those who can endure the most who will conquer.'
Terence MacSwiney's hunger strike began 105 years ago today.
Terence MacSwiney's hunger strike began 105 years ago today.
My thanks so much to the engaged crowd in Richmond Barracks tonight for my talk on the controversial life and legacy of the IRA leader Seán Russell - and also to Dublin Culture Company and historian Donal Fallon for inviting me along.
(Please don't ask me to write a book about Seán just yet).
(Please don't ask me to write a book about Seán just yet).
August 6, 2025 at 8:39 PM
My thanks so much to the engaged crowd in Richmond Barracks tonight for my talk on the controversial life and legacy of the IRA leader Seán Russell - and also to Dublin Culture Company and historian Donal Fallon for inviting me along.
(Please don't ask me to write a book about Seán just yet).
(Please don't ask me to write a book about Seán just yet).
'To the end, Liam Lynch was unbroken, unbowed and devoted to the cause of Irish freedom and we rightly honour and celebrate him ... '
Extract from my speech last Sunday at the Liam Lynch Memorial Tower. Full text can be read here: www.facebook.com/share/p/1Ebc...
Extract from my speech last Sunday at the Liam Lynch Memorial Tower. Full text can be read here: www.facebook.com/share/p/1Ebc...
July 18, 2025 at 7:46 AM
'To the end, Liam Lynch was unbroken, unbowed and devoted to the cause of Irish freedom and we rightly honour and celebrate him ... '
Extract from my speech last Sunday at the Liam Lynch Memorial Tower. Full text can be read here: www.facebook.com/share/p/1Ebc...
Extract from my speech last Sunday at the Liam Lynch Memorial Tower. Full text can be read here: www.facebook.com/share/p/1Ebc...
Truly one of the greatest honors to speak about Liam Lynch today. Never something I would ever dare imagine when I first visited the Liam Lynch memorial tower 12 years ago.
I am so thankful for the invitation from the Liam Lynch National Commemoration Committee. Great to meet everyone there today.
I am so thankful for the invitation from the Liam Lynch National Commemoration Committee. Great to meet everyone there today.
July 13, 2025 at 10:58 PM
Truly one of the greatest honors to speak about Liam Lynch today. Never something I would ever dare imagine when I first visited the Liam Lynch memorial tower 12 years ago.
I am so thankful for the invitation from the Liam Lynch National Commemoration Committee. Great to meet everyone there today.
I am so thankful for the invitation from the Liam Lynch National Commemoration Committee. Great to meet everyone there today.
Delighted to inform you all I will be the speaker at the Liam Lynch National Commemoration Association’s event at 2.30pm, Sunday 13 July, at the memorial tower to General Liam Lynch in the Knockmealdown Mountains – marking the spot where he was mortally wounded on 10 April 1923. See you there!
June 17, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Delighted to inform you all I will be the speaker at the Liam Lynch National Commemoration Association’s event at 2.30pm, Sunday 13 July, at the memorial tower to General Liam Lynch in the Knockmealdown Mountains – marking the spot where he was mortally wounded on 10 April 1923. See you there!
Congratulations to the great Las Fallon on his new book 'The Great Liberties Whiskey Fire' - the story of a devastating Dublin blaze in 1875.
In his launch speech tonight, Las spoke so movingly of the late Mícheál Ó Doibhilín to whom the book is dedicated, and missed by so many of us.
In his launch speech tonight, Las spoke so movingly of the late Mícheál Ó Doibhilín to whom the book is dedicated, and missed by so many of us.
June 11, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Congratulations to the great Las Fallon on his new book 'The Great Liberties Whiskey Fire' - the story of a devastating Dublin blaze in 1875.
In his launch speech tonight, Las spoke so movingly of the late Mícheál Ó Doibhilín to whom the book is dedicated, and missed by so many of us.
In his launch speech tonight, Las spoke so movingly of the late Mícheál Ó Doibhilín to whom the book is dedicated, and missed by so many of us.
One month to go. The four boys will keep me honest, as there's certainly no missing this calender reminder. A lot to say on this book's subject, and the process of writing it, but for a future time. Until then, see you on the other side of 1st July.
June 3, 2025 at 9:03 AM
One month to go. The four boys will keep me honest, as there's certainly no missing this calender reminder. A lot to say on this book's subject, and the process of writing it, but for a future time. Until then, see you on the other side of 1st July.
My sincere thanks to James Durney and Kildare County Archive for inviting me along to speak today at the 9th Irish Military Seminar in Newbridge, Co. Kildare today. Wonderful, engaged audience.
I was speaking about Rory O'Connor, subject of my next book coming Spring 2026. The roadshow starts here.
I was speaking about Rory O'Connor, subject of my next book coming Spring 2026. The roadshow starts here.
May 17, 2025 at 4:52 PM
My sincere thanks to James Durney and Kildare County Archive for inviting me along to speak today at the 9th Irish Military Seminar in Newbridge, Co. Kildare today. Wonderful, engaged audience.
I was speaking about Rory O'Connor, subject of my next book coming Spring 2026. The roadshow starts here.
I was speaking about Rory O'Connor, subject of my next book coming Spring 2026. The roadshow starts here.
Dame Lane, Dublin.
May 11, 2025 at 9:49 AM
Dame Lane, Dublin.
How it started / How It's going
May 11, 2025 at 8:57 AM
How it started / How It's going
William Rooney was a seminal figure in the Gaelic revival of the late 19th century, a political organiser, Irish language activist, poet and journalist - an extraordinarily gifted man who left an important impact on the period before his tragic death in 1901.
May 10, 2025 at 11:30 PM
William Rooney was a seminal figure in the Gaelic revival of the late 19th century, a political organiser, Irish language activist, poet and journalist - an extraordinarily gifted man who left an important impact on the period before his tragic death in 1901.
It was simply not possible without the help of the Commemorations and Naming Committee of Dublin City Council, historian David Connolly, those who reside at the present-day address and of course, the Rooney family.
May 10, 2025 at 11:28 PM
It was simply not possible without the help of the Commemorations and Naming Committee of Dublin City Council, historian David Connolly, those who reside at the present-day address and of course, the Rooney family.
So happy and a little overwhelmed to see an idea I first proposed come into being. Saturday saw unveiling of a plaque to William Rooney at his former home of Leinster Avenue, North Strand. It was incredible to see such a large crowd and especially see many relatives of Rooney present. #IrishHistory
May 10, 2025 at 11:22 PM
So happy and a little overwhelmed to see an idea I first proposed come into being. Saturday saw unveiling of a plaque to William Rooney at his former home of Leinster Avenue, North Strand. It was incredible to see such a large crowd and especially see many relatives of Rooney present. #IrishHistory
Remembering Thomas Kent on the anniversary of his execution in 1916; the only Cork Republican leader executed in the aftermath of the Rising. Here with friends Liz Gillis, Mícheál Ó Doibhilín and Ruairí O'Donnell on the occasion of Kent's reinterment in his native Castlelyons in 2015. #IrishHistory
May 9, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Remembering Thomas Kent on the anniversary of his execution in 1916; the only Cork Republican leader executed in the aftermath of the Rising. Here with friends Liz Gillis, Mícheál Ó Doibhilín and Ruairí O'Donnell on the occasion of Kent's reinterment in his native Castlelyons in 2015. #IrishHistory
Happy 10th anniversary ... to this leaflet! Advertising a forgotten Decade of Centenaries-themed conference and hanging outside Trinity's Arts Building ever since. Only myself and Aaron Ó Maonaigh remember it. Featured an elderly Roy Johnston (yeah that one) tumbling off the stage with not a bruise.
May 7, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Happy 10th anniversary ... to this leaflet! Advertising a forgotten Decade of Centenaries-themed conference and hanging outside Trinity's Arts Building ever since. Only myself and Aaron Ó Maonaigh remember it. Featured an elderly Roy Johnston (yeah that one) tumbling off the stage with not a bruise.