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Wednesday 27 September 2023 Dublin: 13°C

# hidden history

All time
Explainer: The curious case of Michael Collins' bloodstained cap being removed from museum display
The National Museum of Ireland said the 2005 decision was ‘primarily’ about preserving the hat.
How a lost shoe and Viking coins help tell the history of Glendalough
They’re on display now in a new exhibition at the National Museum of Ireland, which can be viewed online.
Irish author uncovers the story of Napoleon’s 'forgotten' Irish Legion
A new historical fiction book looks at the history of the Irish men who fought during the Napoleonic Wars.
Enda Kenny's grandfather, a Dutch plane full of diamonds: Illustrating the lesser-known histories of Irish lighthouses
Roger O’Reilly’s book of illustrations looks at the hidden history of Ireland’s lighthouses.
Double Take: The little-noticed laneway called Misery Hill in Dublin
The unlikely association with St James in Dublin’s Docklands.
Volunteers have restored Bray Head's huge WWII 'Eire' sign
The sign was revealed by recent wildfires after lying hidden for many years.
Wildfire unveils huge WWII 'EIRE' sign on Bray Head
The signs were used during World War II to guide pilots, as Ireland was a neutral country.
This Irish woman fought as a man in the USA's Civil War
Albert Cashier was born Jennie Hodgers in Clogherhead.
IRA leader Seán Russell and the story of Dublin's most controversial statue
Russell was an IRA chief of staff who died on a German u-boat in 1940.
Volunteers are reclaiming this motte and bailey after decades of neglect and bonfires
Several sites around Ireland are being ‘adopted’ by their local communities.
The mystery of the historic bomb-making equipment found in a Dublin attic
Jorge Zulkouski found the items ten years ago and with the 1916 centenary coming up, he thought now was the time to try to find out more.
The true tale of the Irish rugby players killed in World War I
Pals – The Irish at Gallipoli tells their story.
Five incredible things we discovered about Ireland's hidden history in the last year
Take some time out to read all about these pockets of Ireland’s past.
Have a look through the prison journal of an Easter Rising volunteer
Patrick Brennan’s journal will be on display in Clare Museum.
Bullets, blood and childbirth: Emergency services and the 1916 Rising
It’s all in a logbook that was bought by Dublin City Council.
Do you know anything about Ireland's secret War of Independence caves?
An archaeologist in Sligo has identified 35 used to hide people and ammunitions and needs your help to find more.
This historic Cork mansion was the scene of a kidnapping, and it's now at risk
The house has a private owner who lives in the USA.
What's being done about historic gravestones at the 'Cabbage Gardens' being vandalised?
The burial site is located in a park, but even CCTV hasn’t deterred people from vandalising them.
Heritage Ireland: The church at the crossroads of Dublin's ancient past
St Audoen’s in Dublin city centre stands by the most ancient road into Dublin. (And learn, too, about where the monks from Skellig Michael fled from their lonely rock in the sea.)
Heritage Ireland: Why you need to see the Copper Coast
Archaeologist Neil Jackman transports us to another batch of wonderful Irish historical gems in Sligo, Dublin – and that incredible southerly Copper Coast.
Where in Ireland was the 'Doll's House'?
It was immortalised in a Frank O’Connor story.
Here's who worried about prostitutes, thieves and riots in Irish cinemas in 1910...
Worries on the big screen.
Heritage Ireland: The lonely Kilkenny cave that witnessed a massacre of 1,000 people
Dunmore Cave has a chilling tale to tell visitors.
This Wexford man walked 10,000 miles through China in 1914 to find his family
Dr Hadden survived 2,000 people throwing “clods of earth” at him during one point in his journey…
Heritage Ireland: The oldest lighthouse still in use in the world
Let archaeologist Neil Jackman lead you through the amazing past and present of Hook Lighthouse as well as trips to a major ancient monastery and Georgian splendour.
Heritage Ireland: Who is this man with the frightfully fancy tomb?
Archaeologist Neil Jackman brings us on a round tower with a view and a fantastically flamboyant neo-gothic mansion.
Tracing the 'missing 1490' who fled Strokestown during the Famine
A new project looks at the lives of the 1490 people who left Roscommon for Canada in 1847. What happened to them?
Heard of Josie MacAvin? She's Ireland's only Emmy AND Oscar winner
A movie-themed tour is being launched at Glasnevin Cemetery and Museum in honour of MacAvin.
Eirebrushed - the woman 'written out' of Irish history (and why this isn't unusual)
Nurse Elizabeth O’Farrell was ‘airbrushed’ out of an important photograph from 1916.
Can you help work out the name of this mysterious Irish town?
A Redditor needs your help in the hunt for his Irish heritage.
Pics: Journeying into the abandoned mines of Ireland
The mines are visited by ‘urban explorers’ – but can be dangerous places.
Cycling photographer's rare pictures uncover the Ireland of old
Franz Haselbeck cycled around Limerick and South Clare taking photographs of daily events – and major happenings.
Hidden History: The 'forgotten' Irish Brigades abroad
A new book looks at the history of the Irish Brigades from the Wild Geese to the Napoleonic Wars.
"The street was my playground": A journey back to the tenement days
Phyllis Radburn, who lived on Henrietta St, was able to take a trip back to her former home thanks to Dublin City Council.
VIDEO: The secrets of Dublin tenements
Why do some tenement homes have thick blue paint on the walls? An expert explains.
Hidden Ireland: Ready to meet Ireland's very first farmers?
This week, archaeologist Neil Jackman is awed by the Neolithic treasures of Lough Gur, as well as a stunning Kerry fort complex and a Galway medieval cathedral.
Hidden History: The guide to preserving your family archive
These top tips from National Library of Ireland’s conservation expert could help you hold onto family memories for longer.
Hidden Ireland: Have you seen this ancient carving of a hurley and sliotar?
For the All-Ireland hurling replay day that’s in it, check out that historic gem (in Donegal!) and others in Tipperary and Tyrone as part of Neil Jackman’s bi-weekly series.
History hotspot: Carlingford, Co Louth
As part of the Hidden Ireland series, Neil Jackman shines a spotlight on a town chock-full of interesting sites for you to visit this weekend.
Here’s what posh Irish toilets looked like 700 years ago
These were the state-of-the-art toilets of the 1300s, although privacy, disposal and the danger of being caught by the wind were still a danger…