History Memory Myth — PETER NEILL

History, Memory, Myth

There had been mixed coinage between North and South until Ireland floated its own currency in 1979. During the troubles, Irish coins appeared in circulation which had been overstamped with loyalist paramilitary lettering or a strong political statement. The rawness and ferocity of the branding echoing the partisan feelings of the time.

Irish Philately

In 1922, with the establishment of the Irish state, British stamps were overprinted on two occasions, first to acknowledge the Provisional Government of Ireland (Rialtas Sealdac na h’Éireann) in February, and again in November to identify the creation of the Free State of Ireland (Saorstát Éireann) on 6 December 1922 when definitive Irish stamps were first issued.

Irish Numismatics

North Gun

South Gun

Martini Enfield .303 (Ulster Volunteer Force)

Mauser M1871 11 mm (Irish Volunteers)

Waiting

Waiting Howth

The island of Ireland has seen many centuries of leaving, returning, emigration and immigration, looking to the horizon, watching and waiting for many different reasons.

The Irish Volunteers waited for guns at Howth 26 July 1914

The Ulster Volunteers waited for guns at Larne on 24 April1914

Waiting Larne

Irish Policulture

The Cala Lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica) is associated with the Easter Rising in Dublin, Ireland 1916. The Orange Lily (Lilium bulbiferum) is associated with the Loyalist tradition in Ulster.

Red, White and Blue are the traditional colours of Loyalism. The Shamrock is the traditional flower of Ireland.

The Mythical Countess’ Gun

The Real Countess’s Gun

Countess Markowitz took part in the Easter Rising in Dublin in 1916. She posed in a set up photographic studio session as a volunteer, complete with pistol, before the 1916 Rising. The gun was a Smith and Wesson revolver (the one in the photograph is a rubber replica). After the Rising, when she was arrested, she surrendered a Mauser pistol (this is a real gun).

The Return of the Serpents

There are no snakes in Ireland. The tradition is that St. Patrick, the Patron Saint, chased them into the sea.