Author Archives: Ian Adamson

Northumbria was originally composed of the union of the two independent Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, Bernicia, the former British kingdom of Bryneich and Deira, the former British kingdom of Deifr or Dewr. Bernicia covered lands north of the Tees, while Deira corresponded roughly to … Continue reading →

    Performing at ‘Blues on the Bay’ for a third time, these 2 unique blues concerts will be simply amazing! With one of the most revered catalogues in music history and his unparalleled talents as composer, singer and performer, … Continue reading →

Yr Hen Ogledd (The Old North) is a British “Welsh” term which refers to those parts of what is now northern “England” and southern “Scotland” in the years between 500 and the Viking invasions of c. 800, with particular interest … Continue reading →

John Condon Gravestone of John Condon at the Poelcapelle British Cemetery (nl) Born (1896-10-05)5 October 1896 Waterford City, Ireland Died 24 May 1915(1915-05-24) (aged 18) Ypres, Belgium Allegiance United Kingdom Service/branch British Army Years of service 1913-1915 Rank Private Unit Second Battalion, … Continue reading →

  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 →