Damian Shiels
@irishacw.bsky.social
Historian & Archaeologist. Digital Humanities, Public Engagement.
Latest Book: lsupress.org/9780807183700/green-and-blue/
Transatlantic Podcast: shows.acast.com/transatlantic
StoryMaps: https://shielsheritage.com/storymaps/
www.shielsheritage.com
Latest Book: lsupress.org/9780807183700/green-and-blue/
Transatlantic Podcast: shows.acast.com/transatlantic
StoryMaps: https://shielsheritage.com/storymaps/
www.shielsheritage.com
Grave of Joseph McHugh of Drumnabey,#Tyrone, KIA with the 69th PA at Antietam. His mother Annie in Ireland was dependent on him and claimed a pension based on his death delivered to Castlederg. One of 11 Irish pensions found so far with wounding/fatalities linked to Antietam.
November 8, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Grave of Joseph McHugh of Drumnabey,#Tyrone, KIA with the 69th PA at Antietam. His mother Annie in Ireland was dependent on him and claimed a pension based on his death delivered to Castlederg. One of 11 Irish pensions found so far with wounding/fatalities linked to Antietam.
Trauma among U.S. pensioners in Ireland. An image detailing wounds a Warrenpoint, Co. Down resident lived with, including "gunshot wounds to the privates and shoulder and a grapeshot wound of thigh" inflicted in Virginia in 1864. He was later bayoneted while a POW. He survived to return to Ireland.
November 7, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Trauma among U.S. pensioners in Ireland. An image detailing wounds a Warrenpoint, Co. Down resident lived with, including "gunshot wounds to the privates and shoulder and a grapeshot wound of thigh" inflicted in Virginia in 1864. He was later bayoneted while a POW. He survived to return to Ireland.
It was great to join Gerry on the legendary Civil War Talk Radio to discuss the Irish in the American Civil War and my new book Green & Blue. The show is now live across all podcast platforms if you fancy having a listen! www.impedimentsofwar.org/singleshow.p...
November 5, 2025 at 5:35 PM
It was great to join Gerry on the legendary Civil War Talk Radio to discuss the Irish in the American Civil War and my new book Green & Blue. The show is now live across all podcast platforms if you fancy having a listen! www.impedimentsofwar.org/singleshow.p...
My copy of "Traces: The Archaeology of Small Things" has landed! It's great to be included among such great list of contributors. My chapter explores the archaeology of small finds on Irish conflict and battlefield sites. For anyone interested you can order it here: wordwellbooks.com/index.php?ro...
November 4, 2025 at 6:03 PM
My copy of "Traces: The Archaeology of Small Things" has landed! It's great to be included among such great list of contributors. My chapter explores the archaeology of small finds on Irish conflict and battlefield sites. For anyone interested you can order it here: wordwellbooks.com/index.php?ro...
For anyone in Ireland, I'll be on The History Show tonight on RTE Radio 1, chatting with Myles about my new book "Green & Blue: Irish Americans in the Union Military, 1861-1865".
November 2, 2025 at 5:19 PM
For anyone in Ireland, I'll be on The History Show tonight on RTE Radio 1, chatting with Myles about my new book "Green & Blue: Irish Americans in the Union Military, 1861-1865".
The new Surgeon's Call: The Journal of the National Museum of Civil War Medicine has landed in Finland. We have an article on the life altering impact of wounds 2 Irishmen received at Bull Run. For one it ended his life 15 years later- and may even have indirectly caused his wife's fatal illness.
November 1, 2025 at 9:13 AM
The new Surgeon's Call: The Journal of the National Museum of Civil War Medicine has landed in Finland. We have an article on the life altering impact of wounds 2 Irishmen received at Bull Run. For one it ended his life 15 years later- and may even have indirectly caused his wife's fatal illness.
Just in case you ever wondered what the alcohol requirements were for a 1909 Irish wake: 3 gallons whiskey, 2 cases stout, 3 bottles wine, 3 bottles brandy! The receipt was sent to the U.S. government from Liscahane, #Cork for reimbursement as it related to the death of a pensioned Civil War sailor!
October 14, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Just in case you ever wondered what the alcohol requirements were for a 1909 Irish wake: 3 gallons whiskey, 2 cases stout, 3 bottles wine, 3 bottles brandy! The receipt was sent to the U.S. government from Liscahane, #Cork for reimbursement as it related to the death of a pensioned Civil War sailor!
What must be one of the most unusual names for an Irish #WW1 veteran. Hilmar Bielitz of Thurles, Tipperary. Named for his Leipzig-born grandfather, a Civil War U.S. Navy veteran who his grandmother married in New Orleans. Hilmar was gassed in 1918 during the Second Battle of The Marne, but survived.
September 28, 2025 at 4:55 PM
What must be one of the most unusual names for an Irish #WW1 veteran. Hilmar Bielitz of Thurles, Tipperary. Named for his Leipzig-born grandfather, a Civil War U.S. Navy veteran who his grandmother married in New Orleans. Hilmar was gassed in 1918 during the Second Battle of The Marne, but survived.
A Snow Leopard at Ähtäri Wildlife Park, Finland today. Incredible animal.
September 27, 2025 at 5:35 PM
A Snow Leopard at Ähtäri Wildlife Park, Finland today. Incredible animal.
Finally made it to the final resting place of Harry Järv at Kappelsbacken, Korsholm. His account of his wartime experiences formed the basis of the film Framom främsta linjen. He also captured an incredible photographic record of the conflict with the camera he carried, often taking it into action.
September 14, 2025 at 9:28 AM
Finally made it to the final resting place of Harry Järv at Kappelsbacken, Korsholm. His account of his wartime experiences formed the basis of the film Framom främsta linjen. He also captured an incredible photographic record of the conflict with the camera he carried, often taking it into action.
Macha with her pre-match tunnel stare, sporting her Celtic FC competition collar for the first time, as she prepares for the big match in Korsholm.
September 13, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Macha with her pre-match tunnel stare, sporting her Celtic FC competition collar for the first time, as she prepares for the big match in Korsholm.
Niall and myself with the very sound @mcculld.bsky.social at a certain West Cork site which we did landscape analysis on in advance of the 2022 centenary. David's new two-part documentary "Dev: Rise & Rule" kicks off next Wednesday on RTÉ 1 at 9.30pm, be sure to check it out if you can!
August 30, 2025 at 9:14 AM
Niall and myself with the very sound @mcculld.bsky.social at a certain West Cork site which we did landscape analysis on in advance of the 2022 centenary. David's new two-part documentary "Dev: Rise & Rule" kicks off next Wednesday on RTÉ 1 at 9.30pm, be sure to check it out if you can!
Dioramas, Dinosaurs, Drink (History) in the morning around Milwaukee, Discussion in the afternoon and evening at Milwaukee Irish Fest.
August 16, 2025 at 3:24 AM
Dioramas, Dinosaurs, Drink (History) in the morning around Milwaukee, Discussion in the afternoon and evening at Milwaukee Irish Fest.
Out and about in Milwaukee's Third Ward, where the city's Irish were concentrated in the 19th century. Historic plaques to mark the sinking of the Lady Elgin which saw large numbers of Irish lose their lives, and the 1892 Fire which left large numbers of Irish homeless.
August 14, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Out and about in Milwaukee's Third Ward, where the city's Irish were concentrated in the 19th century. Historic plaques to mark the sinking of the Lady Elgin which saw large numbers of Irish lose their lives, and the 1892 Fire which left large numbers of Irish homeless.
Milwaukee from the air en route from Jakobstad to the Irish Fest and Summer School there for a week of talks. If I could have parachuted out it would have saved me the trip back up from Chicago 😀
August 12, 2025 at 1:56 AM
Milwaukee from the air en route from Jakobstad to the Irish Fest and Summer School there for a week of talks. If I could have parachuted out it would have saved me the trip back up from Chicago 😀
There's still time to sign up for my 3 workshops at the Milwaukee Irish Fest Summer School next week on Irish America--Pioneers of Irish America: From St. Brendan to Jamestown--Irish in the U.S. Civil War--“Dangerous” Irish Women--Registration Details: irishfestsummerschool.com/Summer-Schoo...
August 6, 2025 at 2:51 PM
There's still time to sign up for my 3 workshops at the Milwaukee Irish Fest Summer School next week on Irish America--Pioneers of Irish America: From St. Brendan to Jamestown--Irish in the U.S. Civil War--“Dangerous” Irish Women--Registration Details: irishfestsummerschool.com/Summer-Schoo...
Some conflict archaeology spotted on our Far Horizons archaeology tour. Repairs to the bridge at the W.B. Yeats home of Thoor Ballylee, Galway, carried out after it was blown by Anti-Treaty forces during the Civil War. They preserve a "ghost" of that wartime damage (marked with red arrows).
August 1, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Some conflict archaeology spotted on our Far Horizons archaeology tour. Repairs to the bridge at the W.B. Yeats home of Thoor Ballylee, Galway, carried out after it was blown by Anti-Treaty forces during the Civil War. They preserve a "ghost" of that wartime damage (marked with red arrows).
After 15 days passing through 19 counties and a hatful of the best archaeological sites in the country our 2025 Far Horizons Archaeology of Ireland Tour is done. It was nice to get the opportunity to visit some of these amazing places with such a fun and engaged group of people!
July 27, 2025 at 8:11 PM
After 15 days passing through 19 counties and a hatful of the best archaeological sites in the country our 2025 Far Horizons Archaeology of Ireland Tour is done. It was nice to get the opportunity to visit some of these amazing places with such a fun and engaged group of people!
The harbour of Howth with the island of Ireland's Eye beyond in the sunshine.
July 13, 2025 at 11:24 AM
The harbour of Howth with the island of Ireland's Eye beyond in the sunshine.
After a few years of Historian/Archaeologist in the bio I'm returning to Archaeologist/Historian for the foreseeable, though hopefully still doing crossover as opportunites arise. Kicking off Monday, with the Far Horizons archaeology tour of Ireland, which promises to be a fun couple of weeks!
July 11, 2025 at 4:47 PM
After a few years of Historian/Archaeologist in the bio I'm returning to Archaeologist/Historian for the foreseeable, though hopefully still doing crossover as opportunites arise. Kicking off Monday, with the Far Horizons archaeology tour of Ireland, which promises to be a fun couple of weeks!
Paid a visit to the Pit Village of Bomarsund, Northumberland today. The colliery here opened in 1854 and was named for the Fortress of Bomarsund, Åland Islands, Finland, where the Royal Navy had been engaged in a famous victory that year. My second Bomarsund of 2025 :-) #Finland
June 22, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Paid a visit to the Pit Village of Bomarsund, Northumberland today. The colliery here opened in 1854 and was named for the Fortress of Bomarsund, Åland Islands, Finland, where the Royal Navy had been engaged in a famous victory that year. My second Bomarsund of 2025 :-) #Finland
The organ being put through its paces at Hexham Abbey, Northumberland, today.
June 19, 2025 at 3:14 PM
The organ being put through its paces at Hexham Abbey, Northumberland, today.
Another great day out thanks to the hard work of Oravais Historiska Förening r.f. at the 1808 Oravais battlefield today. Antiques, a historic Finnish battlefield, and the Österbotten Regiment putting on a demonstration, a perfect combination!
June 14, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Another great day out thanks to the hard work of Oravais Historiska Förening r.f. at the 1808 Oravais battlefield today. Antiques, a historic Finnish battlefield, and the Österbotten Regiment putting on a demonstration, a perfect combination!
The @lsupress.bsky.social live online book launch for "Green and Blue: Irish Americans in the Union Military, 1861-1865" is tomorrow, there will be a Q&A and a very good book discount available too😀 Details here for anyone interested in attending: fb.me/e/36Zx1D2wQ
June 10, 2025 at 5:02 PM
The @lsupress.bsky.social live online book launch for "Green and Blue: Irish Americans in the Union Military, 1861-1865" is tomorrow, there will be a Q&A and a very good book discount available too😀 Details here for anyone interested in attending: fb.me/e/36Zx1D2wQ
#OTD 1864, the attack of the 164th NY, Irish Legion at Cold Harbor, sketched by Alfred Waud. Long a favourite, I picked this image for the front of "Green and Blue" from LSU Press- the book features a number of letters from men who died during the assault.
June 3, 2025 at 11:26 AM
#OTD 1864, the attack of the 164th NY, Irish Legion at Cold Harbor, sketched by Alfred Waud. Long a favourite, I picked this image for the front of "Green and Blue" from LSU Press- the book features a number of letters from men who died during the assault.