Monthly Archives: May 2014

  Peoples of Northern Britain according to Ptolemy’s map The Epidian Cruthin or Epidii (Greek Επίδιοι) were an ancient British people, known from a mention of them by Ptolemy the geographer c. 150.The name Epidii includes the Gallo-Brittonic  root epos, meaning horse … Continue reading →

On 12th October,1991 Dr Michael Grant wrote to me from his home in Le Pitturacce, Lucca, Italy wishing me well and saying that he was sending me two of his works under separate cover, namely The Rise of the Greeks … Continue reading →

Over forty years ago, my father bought me the translation of the Works of Flavius Josephus by the remarkable Arian theologian, William Whiston (1667-1752) and I have maintained an abiding interest in the history of my Jewish relatives ever since.When … Continue reading →

Today I was installed at Hillsborough Castle as Librarian of The Commandery of Ards in Northern Ireland of the Most Venerable Order  of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem. I succeeded my two old friends, the late John Hughes … Continue reading →

Glasnevin Cemetery Museum today announced that it has received a TripAdvisor® Certificate of Excellence award. The accolade, which honours hospitality excellence, is given only to establishments that consistently achieve outstanding traveller reviews on TripAdvisor, and is extended to qualifying businesses … Continue reading →

Nothing remains of the original monastery itself, except perhaps a slight depression in the Abbey Church graveyard. This may indicate the circular vallum with which it was once surrounded. Over a century ago James O’Laverty wrote, “Along the west of … Continue reading →

The order of the Columbans did not long survive its founder and merged with the Benedictines in the eighth century. However, in honour of St. Gall, as we have seen, there arose a monastery dedicated to him which became one … Continue reading →

  Today, with Helen Brooker (Upper Top Right), I  attended the funeral of my friend and colleague former Belfast city councillor and Progressive Unionist Party leader Alderman Hugh Smyth. Helen’s husband David had been Hugh’s surgeon and looked after his palliative care Hugh, … Continue reading →

    Too frail to accompany his abbot, Gallus, or as we know him now, St Gall, left Columbanus’s mission in 612 AD to stay in Swabia and live in a retreat by the Steinach. At this site in 720, … Continue reading →

In 627 AD Congal Claen or “One Eye,” a Prince of the Cruthin, became the Over-King of Ulster. He had ruled in Tara until his blinding by bees put him from his kingship. The following year Congal slew the High … Continue reading →