Paul O'Leary
@paulaber.bsky.social
Hanesydd / Historian. Emeritus prof.
Interested in ideas and practices of freedom in 19th century Atlantic world, transnational journalism, Wales, Ireland and France.
Co-edited Gender in Modern Welsh History (2023) with Drs Beth Jenkins and Stephanie Ward
Interested in ideas and practices of freedom in 19th century Atlantic world, transnational journalism, Wales, Ireland and France.
Co-edited Gender in Modern Welsh History (2023) with Drs Beth Jenkins and Stephanie Ward
Reposted by Paul O'Leary
As predicted Cousin Brendan has returned - waiting at #Holyhead #Anglesey again after #StormClaudia #Ireland #Wales #envhist #IrishSea #migration #Diaspora
nation.cymru/feature/bren...
nation.cymru/feature/bren...
Brendan’s voyage to Wales – personal reflections on connections between Anglesey and Ireland.
Catherine Duigan Memories can become obscured over time by the mists of the Irish Sea. Are my childhood recollections of visits to Wales from Ireland real or imagined? Being held in my father’s arms t...
nation.cymru
November 15, 2025 at 9:31 PM
As predicted Cousin Brendan has returned - waiting at #Holyhead #Anglesey again after #StormClaudia #Ireland #Wales #envhist #IrishSea #migration #Diaspora
nation.cymru/feature/bren...
nation.cymru/feature/bren...
Reposted by Paul O'Leary
My latest blog on the @librarywales.bsky.social blog on the #WelshPoliticalArchive lecture by @richardwynjones.bsky.social #PlaidCymru100 @plaidcymru.bsky.social www.library.wales/news/article...
The Welsh Political Archive Annual Lecture 2025
This year's lecture was given by Professor Richard Wyn Jones, Cardiff University
www.library.wales
November 12, 2025 at 8:37 AM
My latest blog on the @librarywales.bsky.social blog on the #WelshPoliticalArchive lecture by @richardwynjones.bsky.social #PlaidCymru100 @plaidcymru.bsky.social www.library.wales/news/article...
Reposted by Paul O'Leary
Emlyn Hooson and the Welsh Liberal Party, 1962-1979 | UWP: www.uwp.co.uk/book/emlyn-h...
Emlyn Hooson and the Welsh Liberal Party, 1962-1979 | UWP
www.uwp.co.uk
November 8, 2025 at 10:54 AM
Emlyn Hooson and the Welsh Liberal Party, 1962-1979 | UWP: www.uwp.co.uk/book/emlyn-h...
Reposted by Paul O'Leary
I'm excited to reveal the cover of a new book on the history of Muslims in Wales.
The culmination of years of research that shows how long Islam has been a Welsh religion.
If this sounds interesting, register to be kept up-to-date linktr.ee/MuslimWales
@serenbooks.bsky.social
The culmination of years of research that shows how long Islam has been a Welsh religion.
If this sounds interesting, register to be kept up-to-date linktr.ee/MuslimWales
@serenbooks.bsky.social
November 6, 2025 at 12:36 PM
I'm excited to reveal the cover of a new book on the history of Muslims in Wales.
The culmination of years of research that shows how long Islam has been a Welsh religion.
If this sounds interesting, register to be kept up-to-date linktr.ee/MuslimWales
@serenbooks.bsky.social
The culmination of years of research that shows how long Islam has been a Welsh religion.
If this sounds interesting, register to be kept up-to-date linktr.ee/MuslimWales
@serenbooks.bsky.social
Reposted by Paul O'Leary
November 7, 2025 at 8:16 PM
Reposted by Paul O'Leary
A conference in London on 7 November explores the scientific legacy of Thomas Pennant (1726–1798) from Holywell, Flintshire - an internationally renowned naturalist whose specimens form a core part of the Natural History Museum’s collections. Read more here:
www.uwtsd.ac.uk/news/confere...
www.uwtsd.ac.uk/news/confere...
Conference Reveals Welsh Naturalist’s Major Contributions to London’s Natural History Museum
The upcoming ‘Curious Collections’ conference at the Natural History Museum, London (November 7th) will shed new light on one of the oldest collections in the museum’s archives and explore the scienti...
www.uwtsd.ac.uk
November 5, 2025 at 10:41 AM
A conference in London on 7 November explores the scientific legacy of Thomas Pennant (1726–1798) from Holywell, Flintshire - an internationally renowned naturalist whose specimens form a core part of the Natural History Museum’s collections. Read more here:
www.uwtsd.ac.uk/news/confere...
www.uwtsd.ac.uk/news/confere...
Amserol iawn: Pam y Sefydlwyd Plaid Cymru
Very timely: Why Plaid Cymru was established
Online, simultaneous translation
Very timely: Why Plaid Cymru was established
Online, simultaneous translation
Tocynnau nawr ar gael am ddarlith yr Archif Wleidyddol Gymreig
Tickets are now available for the Welsh Political Archive lecture
Yn y Llyfrgell/In the Library: www.ticketsource.co.uk/llgcnlw/t-ya...
Ar/On Zoom: www.ticketsource.co.uk/llgcnlw/t-mo...
Tickets are now available for the Welsh Political Archive lecture
Yn y Llyfrgell/In the Library: www.ticketsource.co.uk/llgcnlw/t-ya...
Ar/On Zoom: www.ticketsource.co.uk/llgcnlw/t-mo...
November 6, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Amserol iawn: Pam y Sefydlwyd Plaid Cymru
Very timely: Why Plaid Cymru was established
Online, simultaneous translation
Very timely: Why Plaid Cymru was established
Online, simultaneous translation
Reposted by Paul O'Leary
A dyma'r llyfr ei hun!
November 6, 2025 at 12:40 PM
A dyma'r llyfr ei hun!
Reposted by Paul O'Leary
Do share! The Catholic Historical Society of Ireland’s annual conference is on Daniel O’Connell and his Legacies - 22 Nov in @dculibrary.bsky.social - all welcome! (Small fee on the day) @nmireland.bsky.social @nlireland.bsky.social @jdmccafferty.bsky.social www.eventbrite.ie/e/oconnell-a...
O’CONNELL AND HIS LEGACY
Join us to celebrate the life and enduring impact of O'Connell and his legacy at our upcoming event!
www.eventbrite.ie
November 6, 2025 at 10:22 AM
Do share! The Catholic Historical Society of Ireland’s annual conference is on Daniel O’Connell and his Legacies - 22 Nov in @dculibrary.bsky.social - all welcome! (Small fee on the day) @nmireland.bsky.social @nlireland.bsky.social @jdmccafferty.bsky.social www.eventbrite.ie/e/oconnell-a...
Reposted by Paul O'Leary
The Welsh National Memorial at Langemark, Belgium.
Photo taken last week on a trip to the battlefields by my son Ryan.
Photo taken last week on a trip to the battlefields by my son Ryan.
November 5, 2025 at 12:26 PM
The Welsh National Memorial at Langemark, Belgium.
Photo taken last week on a trip to the battlefields by my son Ryan.
Photo taken last week on a trip to the battlefields by my son Ryan.
In Archives Week in 2021, the Peoples Collection of Wales placed on-line a very large number of documents relating to what happened on the day and subsequent trials... now been transcribed and versions can be read more easily
www.peoplescollection.wales/users/10004
A remarkable resource. #Chartism
www.peoplescollection.wales/users/10004
A remarkable resource. #Chartism
November 4, 2025 at 8:59 PM
In Archives Week in 2021, the Peoples Collection of Wales placed on-line a very large number of documents relating to what happened on the day and subsequent trials... now been transcribed and versions can be read more easily
www.peoplescollection.wales/users/10004
A remarkable resource. #Chartism
www.peoplescollection.wales/users/10004
A remarkable resource. #Chartism
Reposted by Paul O'Leary
Born #OnThisDay 1801, John Lloyd Davies rose from humble origins, aided by his wife, to become MP for Cardigan Boroughs in 1855. Find out more about his life and parliamentary career in our blog: victoriancommons.wordpress.com/2017/01/30/m...
MP of the Month: From pot boy to parliamentarian – John Lloyd Davies (1801-60)
Of all the ‘self-made’ men who made the mid-nineteenth century House of Commons distinct from earlier periods, few can have begun life in such humble circumstances as John Lloyd Davies,…
victoriancommons.wordpress.com
November 1, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Born #OnThisDay 1801, John Lloyd Davies rose from humble origins, aided by his wife, to become MP for Cardigan Boroughs in 1855. Find out more about his life and parliamentary career in our blog: victoriancommons.wordpress.com/2017/01/30/m...
An inversion of Britannica's 19th century 'For Wales, see England'.
My favourite bit of the Roll of Peerage. They know what’s going on.
October 31, 2025 at 10:45 AM
An inversion of Britannica's 19th century 'For Wales, see England'.
Reposted by Paul O'Leary
For anyone who missed last week’s launch of Dr Shaun Evans’s new book on Estate Coming of Age Celebrations, please visit the ISWE website for a fantastic blog based on the proceedings, kindly authored by Dr Bethan Scorey:
www.bangor.ac.uk/iswe/news/ba...
www.bangor.ac.uk/iswe/news/ba...
October 31, 2025 at 9:08 AM
For anyone who missed last week’s launch of Dr Shaun Evans’s new book on Estate Coming of Age Celebrations, please visit the ISWE website for a fantastic blog based on the proceedings, kindly authored by Dr Bethan Scorey:
www.bangor.ac.uk/iswe/news/ba...
www.bangor.ac.uk/iswe/news/ba...
Reposted by Paul O'Leary
Glamorgan History Society Autumn Day
The Glamorgan History Society will be holding it’s annual Autumn Day in Bridgend on Saturday 8 November.
This year, in celebration of the Society’s 75th anniversary, the theme is ‘Writing the History of Glamorgan’.
The Glamorgan History Society will be holding it’s annual Autumn Day in Bridgend on Saturday 8 November.
This year, in celebration of the Society’s 75th anniversary, the theme is ‘Writing the History of Glamorgan’.
October 28, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Glamorgan History Society Autumn Day
The Glamorgan History Society will be holding it’s annual Autumn Day in Bridgend on Saturday 8 November.
This year, in celebration of the Society’s 75th anniversary, the theme is ‘Writing the History of Glamorgan’.
The Glamorgan History Society will be holding it’s annual Autumn Day in Bridgend on Saturday 8 November.
This year, in celebration of the Society’s 75th anniversary, the theme is ‘Writing the History of Glamorgan’.
Very helpful analysis of the Caerphilly by-election.
New on the Swingometer! Five lesson's from last week's Caerphilly by-election, where all sorts of electoral records tumbled open.substack.com/pub/swingome...
Five lessons from the Caerphilly by-election
Politics is changing at a dizzying pace
open.substack.com
October 27, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Very helpful analysis of the Caerphilly by-election.
Reposted by Paul O'Leary
This wonderful action shot, showing a vault in progress, comes surprisingly from the National Coal Board collection. We know that it was taken 75 years ago, in 1950, but we’re not sure where. If you recognise the gymnasium, or the men in the photo, do let us know.
October 27, 2025 at 10:38 AM
This wonderful action shot, showing a vault in progress, comes surprisingly from the National Coal Board collection. We know that it was taken 75 years ago, in 1950, but we’re not sure where. If you recognise the gymnasium, or the men in the photo, do let us know.
Reposted by Paul O'Leary
Thank you to everyone involved in the @llafur.bsky.social event on the 1925 strike in Ammanford yesterday. To Aled, Robert, Ioan and Sian for their brilliant talks, and to all who were able to attend and join in discussions.
Interested in learning more about what we do? Visit the Llafur website.
Interested in learning more about what we do? Visit the Llafur website.
Llafur.org | Welcome to Llafur: The Welsh People’s History Society.
Llafur brings together people with an interest in Welsh people’s history. We organise events looking at aspects of our history & publish the journal Llafur.
www.llafur.org
October 26, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Thank you to everyone involved in the @llafur.bsky.social event on the 1925 strike in Ammanford yesterday. To Aled, Robert, Ioan and Sian for their brilliant talks, and to all who were able to attend and join in discussions.
Interested in learning more about what we do? Visit the Llafur website.
Interested in learning more about what we do? Visit the Llafur website.
Lecture by Dr Stephanie Ward: 'The Women of Merthyr: Town, Region and Nation'.
Join Llafur, in collaboration with the Cyfarthfa Foundation, to explore the rich history of Merthyr and the next steps in the story of its heritage.
Also including the Llafur AGM 2025.
📆 Saturday 29 November
🕰️9.30am - 6pm
📍Theatr Soar, Merthyr Tydfil
🎟️https://tinyurl.com/yb9cv7tm
Also including the Llafur AGM 2025.
📆 Saturday 29 November
🕰️9.30am - 6pm
📍Theatr Soar, Merthyr Tydfil
🎟️https://tinyurl.com/yb9cv7tm
October 27, 2025 at 10:35 AM
Lecture by Dr Stephanie Ward: 'The Women of Merthyr: Town, Region and Nation'.
A closely argued - and informed - analysis of how next year's Senedd elections might shape up under a new electoral system.
🔥 "In the end it wasn’t even close. Not many people would have predicted Plaid Cymru’s near-4000 majority over Reform...
As the party machines offer their own explanations, it’s worth considering what this might mean for next year’s Senedd election."
As the party machines offer their own explanations, it’s worth considering what this might mean for next year’s Senedd election."
Signposts from Caerffili
With a new election system for the Senedd in May 2026, what does the Caerffili by-election tell us about the state of the parties in Cymru?
bylines.cymru
October 26, 2025 at 12:08 PM
A closely argued - and informed - analysis of how next year's Senedd elections might shape up under a new electoral system.
The secret ballot in 1872 was meant to do away with the practice of 'treating' voters but in all fairness that related to the period before they cast their vote, not after.
The home of the O'Donovan family is being used as a polling station in Coolmoyne, Co Tipperary. Around 250 people are eligible to vote at the house and after they cast their ballot, they will be treated to a cup of tea, a slice of apple or rhubarb tart, or a scone | More: rte.ie/b/1540324
October 24, 2025 at 3:37 PM
The secret ballot in 1872 was meant to do away with the practice of 'treating' voters but in all fairness that related to the period before they cast their vote, not after.
Reposted by Paul O'Leary
Reminder that we'll be in Ammanford tomorrow to talk all about the 1925 anthracite strike. Come and join us @llafur.bsky.social and our brilliant speakers.
Join Llafur and our guest speakers to explore the 1925 anthracite strike and its legacy a hundred years on!
📆 25/10/2025
⏱️10:30-16:00
📍Ammanford Welfare Hall
🎟️Free tickets: tinyurl.com/anthracitest...
📆 25/10/2025
⏱️10:30-16:00
📍Ammanford Welfare Hall
🎟️Free tickets: tinyurl.com/anthracitest...
October 24, 2025 at 9:35 AM
Reminder that we'll be in Ammanford tomorrow to talk all about the 1925 anthracite strike. Come and join us @llafur.bsky.social and our brilliant speakers.
Reposted by Paul O'Leary
THIS! 64% of the electorate in Caerffili voted for ‘Not Reform’. I think it’s a stretch to suggest that Plaid attracted many Reform curious voters, for what might be fairly straightforward reasons.
Chris Mason has misunderstood the Caerphilly by-election with the idea that Reform lost "none of the above" voters who could have voted Reform to Plaid, or that Plaid took the potential Reform vote.
Hope BES academics can point out why this reading of Wales/Scotland v England misses the drivers
Hope BES academics can point out why this reading of Wales/Scotland v England misses the drivers
October 24, 2025 at 11:01 AM
THIS! 64% of the electorate in Caerffili voted for ‘Not Reform’. I think it’s a stretch to suggest that Plaid attracted many Reform curious voters, for what might be fairly straightforward reasons.
Reposted by Paul O'Leary
Outlier pollsters aren't necessarily wrong (see Survation in 2017), but it's worth pointing out that no pollster other than FindOutNow has Labour on less than 20%.
Westminster Voting Intention:
RFM: 32% (=)
CON: 17% (=)
LAB: 15% (-2)
GRN: 15% (=)
LDM: 12% (=)
SNP: 3% (=)
Via @findoutnow.bsky.social, 15 Oct.
Changes w/ 8 Oct.
RFM: 32% (=)
CON: 17% (=)
LAB: 15% (-2)
GRN: 15% (=)
LDM: 12% (=)
SNP: 3% (=)
Via @findoutnow.bsky.social, 15 Oct.
Changes w/ 8 Oct.
October 16, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Outlier pollsters aren't necessarily wrong (see Survation in 2017), but it's worth pointing out that no pollster other than FindOutNow has Labour on less than 20%.
Reposted by Paul O'Leary
'Waging War and Building Peace: Mobilising Industry in Wales, 1934-1947' by Leon Gooberman is out now!
This book explores how governments mobilised the economy of Wales during the Second World War, and the implications of this mobilisation for peacetime.
📚 www.uwp.co.uk/book/waging-...
This book explores how governments mobilised the economy of Wales during the Second World War, and the implications of this mobilisation for peacetime.
📚 www.uwp.co.uk/book/waging-...
October 15, 2025 at 12:22 PM
'Waging War and Building Peace: Mobilising Industry in Wales, 1934-1947' by Leon Gooberman is out now!
This book explores how governments mobilised the economy of Wales during the Second World War, and the implications of this mobilisation for peacetime.
📚 www.uwp.co.uk/book/waging-...
This book explores how governments mobilised the economy of Wales during the Second World War, and the implications of this mobilisation for peacetime.
📚 www.uwp.co.uk/book/waging-...