Regina Dunne Midlands History
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midlandshistory.bsky.social
Regina Dunne Midlands History
@midlandshistory.bsky.social
980 followers 2K following 120 posts
Historian of Rural women's histories.
Genealogist 🧬
Day job - Regenerative Tourism Activator, supporting businesses to provide a net positive benefit for their business and the community.
Posts Replies Media Videos
midlandshistory.bsky.social
When computer science, history, and archivists merge, you achieve a work of art! Hats off to the @virtualtreasury.bsky.social team and all involved!! Down the rabbit hole I go to explore the newly added content 🙌 #Irishhistory
Image shows a laptop screen with the Virtual Treasury web page open saying Browse the Treasury
July 1, 2025 at 7:42 PM
midlandshistory.bsky.social
Honoured, a little shocked, but delighted too, to be awarded a first class honours for my thesis.
This study traces the hugely pioneering work of the United Irishwomen- the precursor to the well-known Irish Countrywomen's Association and is a fascinating topic!
Bound Thesis on The United Irishwomen of the Southeast 1910 to 1935
June 11, 2025 at 7:07 PM
midlandshistory.bsky.social
For the weekend thats in it, great to rewatch these two videos on the history of the Gordon Bennett Race, the Race that saved motorsport!!

A great watch for any motoring heritage enthusiast

Part 1 youtu.be/jXUJVAZ9KHU?...

Part 2 youtu.be/62RI2IGlNyk?...

#motorsporthistory
Vintage Mercedes bw image Vintage car with driver surrounded by crowd of supporters in sepia colour
May 28, 2025 at 7:43 PM
midlandshistory.bsky.social
I've started to create a record of how my small garden here in an urban housing estate in Portlaoise, County Laois.
With zero formal training, costly mistakes, learning as I go, watching those I admire, watching YouTube, gardening shows, reading guide books and plain old intuition. #urbangardening
May 3, 2025 at 9:18 PM
midlandshistory.bsky.social
Anyone else cool down their brain from tech overload by doing some night gardening?! Or am I officially that weird neighbour who potters about her garden like an oddball?
I just love how being around the plants and trees calms down my whole nervous system and helps me reset.
Willow tree with Japanese mapel, sunlight coming through and garden plant pots
April 23, 2025 at 8:56 PM
midlandshistory.bsky.social
An honour to be invited to the 1916 Easter Rising Commemorations. Remembering dad's grandad, grandmother, grand uncle's and grand aunts who were Irish Volunteers and Cumann na mBan.
Here are alt text descriptions for each of the four images: 1. Image 1: A formal military ceremony takes place in front of the General Post Office (GPO) on O'Connell Street, Dublin. Rows of uniformed Irish military personnel, including naval and air force members, stand in formation while spectators watch from cordoned-off seating. The iconic columns of the GPO are visible in the background. A smiling man and woman take a selfie at the event. The man wears a blue beret with a UN insignia, a tie with UN and horse motifs, and a jacket embroidered with "Irish UN Veterans Association." The woman wears glasses and a blue scarf. People and media personnel are visible in the background. A military officer reads from a podium while other soldiers in green dress uniforms stand in formation, saluting. The event appears formal and solemn, with precise alignment and military decorum. The background includes grey stone buildings and green trees. A military band dressed in green uniforms with orange kilts performs in front of the GPO. A commanding officer stands at a podium, and another uniformed man watches nearby. The pavement is wet, indicating recent rain, and a red rope separates the spectators from the ceremony.
April 20, 2025 at 4:35 PM
midlandshistory.bsky.social
It's being submitted today for marking, and I can't wait to continue on the research more of this topic. I've found so much of the work of the United Irishwomen, their road blocks and ideas are being replicated by so many of us in the regenerative space and we can learn so much from these women.
Image shows a 5 ft 3 female with medium length straight red hair with glasses smiling and holding a bound thesis under a willow tree
April 10, 2025 at 10:52 AM
midlandshistory.bsky.social
Plant it and they will come! A short clip of the birds flying around this tiny urban garden space. It shows that you don't need massive acres of land to support biodiversity and nature in thriving. There were also some beautiful bumble bees flying by on their search of pollen. #biodiversity #garden
Image shows an urban garden Image shows a list of birds heard on the merlin app
April 5, 2025 at 9:30 AM
midlandshistory.bsky.social
Since I stumbled across the United Irishwomens #HerbGrowing Association of 1916, affiliated with the National Herb Growers Association in England, I am following that rabbit hole to find out more about them both. That's me occupied for the next body of research on women's social history!
Image shows a graphic of herbal plants
March 31, 2025 at 5:36 PM
midlandshistory.bsky.social
A day on the Slieve Bloom Mountains. First stop at The Ridge of Capard where I could see the Wicklow Mountains, all the way as far as Slieve Bán in Roscommon. Then on to the magical Glenbarrow, this trail just reminds me of the books I read as child, full of adventure, magic, nature and wonder.
Image shows an Irish forest on either side of a waterfall A forest with blue skies through the trees A panorama picture of the mountain with an interpretation sign and bystanders on the left right and centre
March 30, 2025 at 6:21 PM
midlandshistory.bsky.social
A beautiful bog site here in the Irish Midlands, perfect for astronomy too with very limited light pollution.
A scenic image of an Irish bogland with blue skies, clouds and Heather's in front. The centre is covered in native Irish trees x 4
March 23, 2025 at 9:40 PM
midlandshistory.bsky.social
Yesterday marked a major milestone for the EU Just Transition Regenerative Tourism fund with Failte Ireland. Amazing to see the quality of proposals and development that provides a net positive benefit to the local community! Very excited to see the future of #regenerativetourism in the Midlands!
Image shows a forest with sunrise coming through the trees
January 14, 2025 at 6:54 PM
midlandshistory.bsky.social
Two images of my Grand Aunts Susan Ryan, Ellen Ryan and their half brother Tommy (Thomas) Merrigan, second image is Tommy's wife Kathleen Merrigan nee Kavanagh. Even less know is the story of Tommy's sisters and brother, Ellen, Susan and Jerry who narrowly escaped death as he had the Measles!
Image shows left to right last lady in flowery dress with shoulder length grey hair with a curl standing, a seated lady with shorter grey hair in a shirt dress and then an older male in a suit with short hair standing all wearing an Irish lily on their lapel. Image shows a lady in a fur coat with long dark hair, glasses and a black cap seated at the front of a row of a group photo
January 1, 2025 at 3:34 PM
midlandshistory.bsky.social
This is what the Christmas holidays is all about, board games, food and family!!
Image shows a board game showing continents outlined in the colours of red yellow blue green and purple
December 24, 2024 at 6:27 PM
midlandshistory.bsky.social
Delighted to be part of the editorial committee and to have contributed to the 11th Laois Heritage Society Journal. We were joined by our contributor, Sharon Kelly, all the way from Calgary. What a weekend to land in Ireland. Image credit, Alf Harvey. #localhistory
Image shows from left to right, a female in grey jeans and a maroon jacket with medium length red hair about 5 foot 3, holding a history journal, a taller male in grey fleece and beige trousers holding a journal, a female 5 foot 3 too blue dress, medium length brown hair and denim jacket a male in a dark suit, grey hair wearing a ceremonial office Chains, a finally a male in a brown jacket, bright trousers and grey hair Image shows from left to right, a male in an olive coloured suit medium.height with grey hair, a female with a red top, medium.vrey hair and holding a journal, a taller male in grey fleece and beige trousers holding a journal, a female 5 foot 3 too blue dress, medium length brown hair and denim jacket a male in a dark suit, grey hair wearing a ceremonial office Chains, a finally a male in a brown jacket, bright trousers and grey hair and a female in grey jeans and a maroon jacket with medium length red hair about 5 foot 3, holding a history journal, A list of articles from a journal A journal cover showing a nineteenth century postcard of a town hall
December 7, 2024 at 7:11 PM
midlandshistory.bsky.social
8 yrs ago we got the worse news that my younger sister pictured here had a seizure & was diagnosed with a brain tumour the size of an orange. If she got through surgery, chemo & radiotherapy,we were told she may live for 5 yrs, this is our 8th & still going! Enjoy every minute you have with family ❤️
Image shows a young female in her 30s with blonde hair, a hairball and a grey hoody
November 30, 2024 at 11:14 PM
midlandshistory.bsky.social
Laois Heritage Society are launching their 11th Journal next week and I'm really excited for my article on the #VAD women on Queens County, now Laois, to be published. The lady in the front centre right is the formidable antiquarian #HelenMayburyRoe
#IrishHistory
Image shows a group photo of female volunteer aid detachment nurses and a male surgeon in the centre all posed in front of a door with a big fan light in front of an old Victorian building.
November 27, 2024 at 8:23 PM
midlandshistory.bsky.social
I love this post as much as I've my tattoo of the #rockofdunamase
The tattoo is an artist's impression of the fortified castle in County #Laois from an 18th century print. The standing stone is also an artist's impression of an image of #Skirke #StandingStone and the trickle from #Newgrange #tattoo
Image is a tattoo of a standing stone with a trickle on the stone and a large pine tree is the background Image is a tattoo off a rocky landscape with a castle gate and ruins of a castle in the background. On each side there are trees and in the sky is a bird and shaded clouds
November 26, 2024 at 5:51 PM
midlandshistory.bsky.social
A gathering of #IrishVolunteers who were on hunger strike together in 1918 during the #IrishRevolution
My great grandfather, William, Liam, McGinley is in the back right. He was a tailor whose family traveled from Omagh to Dublin, then Glasgow, and back to Dublin in time to join the volunteers!
Image shows a group of 9 middle aged men in suits at a gathering. All have a. Irish republican flag in their lapel.
November 25, 2024 at 10:56 PM
midlandshistory.bsky.social
My #skirkle
I like the idea of the Skirkle! We all have a circle of people, maybe even when we don't realise it.
Image shows 3 outer circles of avatars for accounts on bluesy and a centre avatar of my image in a white jacket green dress, mid length red hair and trees in the background. The avatars are all on a teal coloured background
November 24, 2024 at 10:35 PM
midlandshistory.bsky.social
2 more chapters to re-draft and edit for my MA #Thesis on the #UnitedIrishwomen of the south-east! A #cooperative movement women's Society aimed at 'Brightening the Countryside', a precursor to the #IrishCountrywomensAssociation
Really excited to present this research after it's submitted!
Image show the corner of a book with green, yellow and orange tabs, and a digital notebook on the right, in the background a latte in a tall glass all on a coffee table.
November 21, 2024 at 12:47 PM
midlandshistory.bsky.social
A #tourism Renaissance - #RegenerativeTourism is really taking hold, making sense, and putting all the #greenwashing away! It's making tourism all about the #local #planet #people #place #culture
It's very exciting to be part of a growing movement in tourism that's been spoken about for so long!!
Sunrise at the Dingle peninsula with the tide in, a stoney beach to the front, sea water reflecting the mountain in the background and a sunrise to the left full of orange colours and a blue sky to the top right Female speaker on a stage in a purple top with a microphone in her hand and blonde long hair. The Irish and European flags are to her left. On the screen behind her she has a framework on coping with a road map showing the five steps to coping. The writing is in eligible from where the photographer is sitting. Image shows a conference room with a panel of speakers on the stage, from left to right a woman in a chequered jacket, pink top and dark hair, a male kn a black suit and white shirt and dark hair and a woman in a pink jacket, dark hair and glasses. On the screen behind them it has the speakers image and the title of the talk policy and regenerative tourism. Panel seasion from conference from left to right, a female in a dark green shirt , microphone in hand, dark hair and glasses with the Icelandic flag behind her. The next woman is in a cream coloured top, a maroon jacket and a dark scarf with a piece of white paper in her hand. The next is a male in a white shirt with dark hair and the next is a female in a blue short and light brown hair with glasses. The screen behind has a green background and has the speakers names, Ragga, John and Beata
November 21, 2024 at 11:40 AM
midlandshistory.bsky.social
My great aunt Nuala 89yrs. A daughter & niece of Irish revolutionaries. Was offered a job in Dublin Castle that she had to swear to the secret, so became a nun with the Sisters of Charity instead. Traveled the world and her most favorite accomplishment was playing the recorder for Queen Elizabeth.
November 21, 2024 at 11:19 AM
midlandshistory.bsky.social
Great learnings from participating SME owners on the CE4RT programme. Panel hosted by Tina O'Deyer of #TheTourismSpace
#CE4RT #MTURegenerativeTourism
#RegenerativeTourism #InternationalRegenerativeTourismConference
A panel of speakers with a female on left, green shirt, dark hair and glasses with microphone, next speaker, female, fair hair, maroon jacket, next speaker, male dark hair and white shirt, and next speaker, female fair hair and blue shirt all seated. Screen in the background reads Thank you ... Ragga Gufmundsdóttir, Viking Rafting, Iceland; John Murohy Portmagee Whiskey Ireland, and Beata Zadjel, Browar Duklar, Poland
November 19, 2024 at 11:46 AM
midlandshistory.bsky.social
Feeling very inspired by Dr Irena Ateljevic today as she discusses the Transmodern Paradigm Shift, a new Renaissance in tourism as we move into an era of #regenerativetourism
#CE4RT #MTURegenerativeTourism #EUinmyregion #JustTransition #DingleSkellig #Dingle
Image of woman at podium with a screen showing slides discussing regenerative tourism
November 19, 2024 at 10:30 AM