The January/February issue of HistoryIreland has landed on my doormat (perfectly planned for a long train journey tomorrow) and is now in the shops.
This issue carries an eclectic mix of features, which, as a rule I prefer to the strongly-themed issues. Among them is a report by Mark Empey on the recent discovery of over 200 17th-century Irish warrants in the East Riding of Yorkshire Archives at Beverley. I'd not heard about this before, but it seems the collection is to be published by the Irish Manuscripts Commission. Other features that I'm looking forward to reading include a feature by John Gibney that investigates the 'alternative' (ie Roman Catholic) view of the 1641 Rebellion; an examination of the Rothe Collection of treasures, and how the artifacts survived; a study of the forgotten Arklow Fishery; a reminiscence about the Liberties; and an article from Cliona Rattigan about how abortion has been a 'constant, albeit hidden, facet of the lives of Irish women for decades'.
As always, there's also a good number of shorter features on architectural and museum collection themes, and reviews of tv broadcasts and new books. I've already noted a positive review of a book I've just ordered: Domestic Life In Ireland (RIA). Seems I'm in for a treat!
HistoryIreland costs €7.