Irish Association of Professional Historians

About me

Email	kerron.oluain@gmail.com
Twitter link	https://twitter.com/DublinHistorian
Bio	I am currently engaged in postdoctoral research funded by An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG), and working in partnership with DCU, on a project entitled Stair Ghluaiseacht na Gaelscolaíochta, 1973-2023 (The History of the Gaelscoil Movement, 1973-2023). The project centres on the oral history of the activists involved in founding and promoting gaelscoileanna throughout Ireland over the last fifty years. Incorporating public history and the digital humanities, the end result will be a book publication in 2023 to coincide with the fiftieth commemoration of the founding of the organisation Gaelscoileanna, now Gaeloideachas, in 1973. — Broadly, my research interest lies in popular collective action and activism in Ireland during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. I am particularly interested in how the working class of colonised countries – the subaltern – organised themselves to resist imperialism of the economic, political and cultural varieties.
Areas of expertise	Fenianism Ribbonism Hibernianism Young Ireland in Ulster Anti-Orange Catholic collective action 1848-1867 The Tenant League and the agrarian disturbances of 1849-1852
Keywords	Social movements and revolution, Fenianism, Ribbonism, Social history, Politicisation, Irish Associational Culture, Irish Republicanism, Gaeilge, Irish language, 19th Century History, Irish Nationalism, Modern History, 1798, United Irishmen, Agrarian violence,Young Ireland, Communal violence in Ulster, Hiberniansim, Ancient Order of Hibernians

Experience

Education	2018-2019 – Graduate classes in Political Science, Villanova 2011-2016 – PhD at Queen's University Belfast 2009-2010 – MA at National University of Ireland, Galway 2006-2009 – BA at National University of Ireland, Galway
Employment	• Tutor, UCD, 2019-2020 • Fulbright Scholar, Villanova University, 2018-2019 • Tutor, UCD, 2017-2018 • Editorial Assistant, Fiontair & Scoil na Gaeilge, DCU, 2017 • Heritage Officer, Saggart Heritage Centre, 2017 • Tutor, QUB, 2012-2014 • Archival Assistant, ESB International, 2007-2009
Consultancy work	• 2019, privately commissioned by Deirdre Colgan, relative of Michael Colgan, IRA Volunteer, trade unionist, and later Labour and Fianna Fáil politician, to research his life. • 2019, Consultancy work for Wall to Wall Productions on post-Famine Ulster for BBC program ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’ featuring Liz Carr. • 2018, consultancy work for Baker’s Bar, 47-48 Thomas Street, Dublin. Funded research into ascertaining the date of the public house’s establishment as well as its history. • 2017-2018, for Dearcán Media, TG4. Consultation with regards the Irish Republican Brotherhood.
Management & Administrative experience	Historical/Sociological talks or public events organised: • ‘Cogadh Faoi Cheilt: Scéal an IRB’, documentary film showing and discussion, The Ireland Institute, 17 June 2019. • Tour to Cloughjordan Eco-Village, hosted by Professor Peadar Kirby and with talks given by Dr. John Walsh and Dr. Finbarr Bradely, 13 May 2017. • ‘Frongoch and the Birth of the IRA’ with Lyn Ebenezer, author and historian, The Ireland Institute, 25 April 2016 • ‘Scotland and the 1916 Rising’ with Stephen Coyle, author and historian, The Ireland Institute, 24 March 2016 • ‘Josie: a brief Flame’ with Mícheál Ó Doibhilín, author and historian, 12 March 2016 • ‘Poet Patriot: Thomas McDonagh and the Easter Rising’ with Dr. Shane Kenna, Saggart Heritage Centre, 27 February 2016 • ‘The Role of Women in the Irish Revolution’ with Liz Gillis, author and historian, Rathcoole Community Centre, 7 February 2016 • Various historical film showings, Club Scannán an Phiarsaigh, The Ireland Institute, 2016 • Seminar series organiser, Queen's University Belfast, 2013.
Teaching	• History Tutor, UCD, 2019-2020. Modules: Ireland's English Centuries The French Revolution Irish America The Making of Modern Ireland • Irish language teacher and occasional history lecturer, Villanova University, 2018-2019. Also taught school children in Irish Immigration Center of Philadelphia. • History Tutor, UCD, 2017-2018. Modules: The Making of Modern Europe The Russian Revolution Union to Bailout The Irish Experience • History Tutor, Queen's University Belfast, 2012-2014 Modules: Politics and Society in 19th Century Ireland
Outreach activities	Media and public engagement: • Eanáir-Feabhra 2021: labhair ar shraith chlár Scéalta Grá na hÉireann ar TG4. • 8 Samhain 2020: plé ar chomhthéacs stairiúil toghchán Meiriceá ar chlár RnaG, An tSeachtain, le Máirín Ní Ghadhra. • 9 Deireadh Fómhair 2020: plé ar an saoroideachas 1966 ar chlár RnaG, An tSeachtain, le Máirín Ní Ghadhra. • 9 May 2020: Zoom talk with Focus E15 housing activists in London on the Irish language movement pre- and post-Partition. • 12 April 2020: Zoom talk with Éirígí activists entitled ‘The radical Irish language movement, 1960s-present’. • 22 Márta 2020: phlé mé dúnmharú Thomás Mhic Churtáin 1920 agus an víreas corónach i gcomhthéacs stairiúil ar chlár RnaG, An tSeachtain, le Máirín Ní Ghadhra. • 10 Márta 2020: pléphainéal, "Gníomhachas agus an Ghaeilge", Ollscoil na hÉireann, Má Nuad. • 24 February 2020: appeared on Talking History on Newstalk FM to discuss my recently published book Rathcoole and the United Irish Rebellions, 1798-1803. • 20 January 2020: interviewed by BBC for feature story entitled ‘RIC commemoration: 100- year-old war wound that came back to bite’. • 8 January 2020: discussed RIC commemoration on Raidió na Life. • 22 December 2019: discussed the suppression of the First Dáil in 1919 on Raidió na Gaeltachta's radio series 'Súil Siar 1919'. • 17 November 2019: Discussed the founding of the First Dáil in 1919 on Raidió na Gaeltachta's radio series 'Súil Siar 1919'. • 12 November 2019: discussed climate change and the group Extinction Rebellion on Raidió na Life. • 19 October 2019: gave talk entitled ‘Bunús an tSóisialachais’ on William Thompson in Amharclann Ghaoth Dobhair, Donegal. • 26 September 2019: piece entitled ‘Rathcoole and the United Irish Rebellions’ appeared in The Echo local newspaper. • 25 September 2019: appeared in Cogadh Faoi Cheilt: Scéal an IRB, historical documentary on TG4. • 12 and 13 September 2019: talk on 1798 rebellion given to public and book launched in Old Library, Rathcoole, and Heritage Centre, Saggart, Co. Dublin. • 26 May 2019: appeared in Michael Davitt: Radacach, historical documentary on TG4. • 10 April 2019: read poetry at Critical Languages and Cultural Studies Poetry and Prose Reading, Bartley Hall, Villanova, PA. • 13 February 2019: Great Famine lecture and Black ’47 film showing, Villanova University, PA. • 5 February 2019: ambassador for #TrasnanadTonnta global cyber-Gaeltacht Twitter campaign. • 14 November 2018: Fulbright Irish Language Night, Corr Hall, Villanova University, PA. • 16 September 2018: Part of panel discussion with Dr. Breandán Mac Suibhne on post-Famine adjustment in the Irish Arts and Cultural Center, Philadelphia, PA. • 11 August 2018: Part of Raidió na Gaeltachta's radio panel for Murach Gur Tharla programme which discussed the IRB from 1905-24 and Partition • 7 March 2018: Gave evidence and discussed recommendations concerning the amendment to the Official Languages Act (2003) at the Oireachtas Joint Committee for the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Islands. • 26 November 2017: Interviewed by Adare Productions on history of WW2, Irish Neutrality and the Glencree German War Cemetery for TG4 program Beidh Mé Ar Ais which looked at lesser known heritage and historical sites. • 22 November 2017: Discussed language planning issues and sociolinguistic problems in the Connemara Gaeltacht on Iris Aniar on Raidió na Gaeltachta • 29 August 2017: Discussed civil rights, international relations and the role of the Irish government in the case of Ibrahim Halawa’s imprisonment in Egypt on Raidió na Life. • 2016: Discussed the challenges facing young people in 21st century Ireland on Raidió na Life. • 24 June, 2016: Discussed the historical background and implications of Brexit on Cormac@5 on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta. • March and May, 2016, 'The Four Districts and the Irish Revolution, 1916-23', talks given to local audiences in Rathcoole and Brittas Community Centers. — Other: • 2016-2017: Filed application with South Dublin County Council for erecting historical signage on 1798 Rebellion in Rathcoole, Co. Dublin. In constant consultation with local councillor. Awaiting outcome. • 2016: Was part of committee which erected historical monument to 1916 Rising at Courthouse in Rathcoole.
Committees & Associations	The Four Districts Remembers 1916 Centenary Committee: acted as secretary and general organiser/manager of seminar series and Easter commemoration.
Awards	• 2020, An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG) postdoctoral funding. • 2020, Irish Association of Professional Historians Bursary • 2019, Irish Activist Histories travel funding. • 2019, International Celtic Congress travel funding. • 2018, Graduate conference travel funding, Villanova. • 2018, Fulbright Scholarship. • 2018, Colm Cille Ireland-Scotland Grants Scheme. • 2016, Seachtain na Gaeilge Support Bursary. • 2014, Foras na Gaeilge Annual Sponsorship. • 2013, Student Led Initiative funding, QUB. • 2012, Conference and travel funding, QUB.
Other activities	Conference papers and seminars • ‘An óige neamhpholaitiúil agus an óige pholaitiúil: comhthéacs stairiúil agus féidearthachtaí don todhchaí’, caint mar chuid de shraith cainteanna le Teacht Aniar, ar líne, Feabhra 2021. • ‘Gaeil is frith-Ghaeil: an t-Athbhreithniúchas agus an Ghaeilge’, Scoil Samhraidh Desmond Greaves, Club na Múinteoirí, Márta 2020. • “‘Sí an Ghaeilge athghabháil na hÉireann’: radical Irish language group Misneach, c.1963-70”, Irish Activist Histories Conference, Hertford College, Oxford, July 2019. • “‘Rianta an choilíneachais’: the Irish language and the discourses of colonisation and decolonisation”, invited lecture, Elms College, Chicopee, MA, May 2019. • 'Ribbonism and Revisionism', invited lecture, International Celtic Congress, Newquay, Cornwall, April 2019. • ‘“Cearta Teanga/Cearta Daonna”: Irish language rights in twenty-first century Ireland’, invited seminar lecture, Irish Politics Political Science class, Villanova University, PA, April 2019. • “‘Syndacalistic madness’: the AOH and the Great Dublin Lockout of 1913’, ACIS Mid-Atlantic Conference, Villanova University, PA, November 2018. • ‘Ireland’s Traveller ethnicity: a history of exclusion’, invited seminar lecture, Race and Ethnicity in American Politics graduate class, Villanova University, PA, November 2018. • 'The Gaeltacht in 2018 and neoliberal ideology: transitioning into oblivion?', ACIS Mid-Western Conference, University of St Thomas, Minneapolis, MN, October 2018. • ‘The joy of defying triumphalism? Ribbonite and Hibernian processions in the long nineteenth century', SSNCI conference: Happiness in the Nineteenth Cenutry, TCD, Dublin, July 2018 • ‘The Ancient Order of Hibernians in the US and Ireland: a transnational exploration of Irish identity and upward social mobility', annual conference of the Economic and Social History Society of Ireland, Central Bank of Ireland, Dublin, November 2017 • 'Forléargas ar Éireann, 1916-2016', Ceardlann Cruthaitheach de chuid Teacht Aniar, Béal Feirste, Feabhra 2017. • 'The Four Districts and the Irish Revolution, 1916-23', Rathcoole and Brittas Community Centers, March and May, 2016. • 'The persistence of nationalist and anti-state sentiment in Ulster, 1848-67', IHS Conference, Galway, February 2016. • 'Ribbonmen, Fenians and lower-class nationalism in 19th century urban Ulster', SSNCI Irish urban spaces in the nineteenth century conference, Queen's University Belfast, June 2014 • 'Ribbonism & Fenianism; conflict and conformity within working-class Irish nationalism', Minority Histories & other Republicanisms conference, Queen's University Belfast, May 2014 • 'Ribbonism & Fenianism; conflict and conformity within working-class Irish nationalism', annual Irish History Students (IHS) conference, MIC Limerick, March 2014 • 'Post-Famine Ribbonism', TCD post-graduate seminar series, January 2014 • 'Ribbonism in the 1850s; a spent force?', annual conference of the Economic and Social History Society of Ireland, NUI Galway, November 2013 • 'The agrarian disturbances of 1849-1852; landlord/tenant conflict on the South Ulster borderlands', Landlords, Tenants and their Estates in Ireland: 1600-2013 conference, Moore Institute NUI Galway, September 2013 • 'Secret Societies in the South Ulster Borderlands, 1849-1852: a transitional period in Ribbonism?' SSNCI Crime, Violence and the Irish in the Nineteenth Century conference, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, June 2013 • 'Post-Famine Ribbonism in Ulster', post-graduate seminar series at Queen's University Belfast, April 2012

Publications

Books	• 'Rathcoole and the United Irish Rebellions, 1798-1803' (Maynooth Local Studies Series, Four Courts Press, Dublin, 2019).
Book Chapters	• 'Expressions of joy among Catholic, Ribbon and Hibernian processionists during the long nineteenth century' in Mary Hatfield (ed.), Happiness in Nineteenth-Century Ireland (Liverpool University Press, 2020)
Peer Reviewed Journals	•‘”Syndacalistic madness”: The AOH and the great Dublin Lockout of 1913’, in Saothar: Journal of the Irish Labour History Society (May, 2020). • ‘“The majority of our people belong to the working classes”: The Ancient Order of Hibernians in the United States, c.1850-1884’, in Social History, (February, 2020). • ‘“Craven subserviency had vanished. Bitter hostility had arrived”: Agrarian violence and the Tenant League on the Ulster borderlands, 1849-52’ in Irish Historical Studies, (May 2019). • 'Young and Old Ireland: Repeal politics in Belfast, 1846-1848’ in New Hibernia Review, xxii, no.2, 2018
Other Journals	• 'An Nathair/The Serpent', poem published in Writing in Tongues: a Global Interdisciplinary Journal, no.2 (Spring, 2019). • 'The Four Districts and the Irish Revolution, 1916-23' in Journal of the Kildare Archaeological Society, October 2017. • 'Ulster's Forgotten Fenians: the dog that didn't bark in 1867' in History Ireland, March/April 2017. • 'The Ribbon Societies of Louth and Armagh, 1848-1864' in Seanchas Ard Mhacha: Journal of the Armagh Diocesan Historical Society, Volume 25, 2014.
Electronic Publications	• ‘There is a Spectre Haunting Ireland: Emigration’ in Counterpunch (25/06/2020). • ‘Borradh faoi Bhernie’ in Meon Eile (24/02/2020). • ‘The unwritten history of American Hibernianism’ in Social History Blog (10/02/2020). • ‘An faisisteachas agus an t-olltoghchán ó dheas’ in Meon Eile (3/02/2020). • ‘The Longue Durée: Commemorating RIC and Black & Tan Colonialism’ in Counterpunch (16/01/2020). • ‘Léirmheas ar an gclár Top Boy’ in Nós (29/11/2019). • 'Extinction Rebellion: ag fanacht glan ar an lucht oibre?' in Meon Eile (4/11/2019). • ‘Athrú córais ní athrú polasaí atá de dhíth chun an domhan a shábháil’ in Meon Eile (7/10/2019). • 'What the "White Irish Slaves" Meme tells us about Identity Politics' in Counterpunch – (22/04/2019). • 'Poblacht Bholavarach Veiniséala faoi ionsaí arís' in Meon Eile – (1/04/2019). • 'Na Gaeil agus "Beartas Úr Glas" Alexandria Ocasia-Cortez' in Nós – (20/02/2019). • '"Radical Ireland’s Dead And Gone": The Protest Outside Simon Harris’ Home' in Counterpunch – (14/2/2019). • 'Captain Moonlight Revived: Ireland's New Land War?' in Counterpunch – (21/12/2018). • 'Creeping Neo-Fascism in Ireland and the "Open Borders" Question' in Counterpunch – (30/11/2018). • 'Poppy fascism and the English education system' in Counterpunch – (12/11/2018). • 'Ireland’s Gaeltacht Regions: Transitioning Into Oblivion?' in Counterpunch – (2/11/2018) • '"Calculated to excite the minds of the public": South Ulster and the Young Ireland Rebellion, 1848' in The Irish Story – (21/06/2018) • ‘To get up an anti-Fenian society in this country’: Ribbonism and republicanism in Ulster, 1850-1867’ in The Irish Story – (11/05/2018). • ‘“A policy of Passive Resistance”: Sinn Féin and abstentionism – an historical overview’ in The Irish Story – (4/07/2017).
Reviews	• ‘Kyle Hughes and Donald M. MacRaild, Ribbon Societies in Nineteenth-Century Ireland and its Diaspora: the Persistence of Tradition’ in Saothar: Journal of the Irish Labour History Society (May, 2020). • ‘Aindrias Ó Cathasaigh, An Modh Conghaileach: cuid sóisialachais Shéamais Uí Chonghaile’ i Mionlach (Aibreáin, 2020). • 'Conor McNamara, Liam Mellows, soldier of the Irish Republic: selected writings, 1914-1922' in The Irish Story (March, 2020). • ‘Moshe Lewin, The Soviet Century’ in Counterpunch (February, 2020). • ‘Shane Kenna, The Invincibles: the Phoenix Park Assassinations and the Conspiracy that Shook an Empire’ in The Irish Story (July, 2019). • ‘Caoimhghin Ó Croidheáin, Language from Below: the Irish language, ideology and power in 20th century Ireland’ in Counterpunch (June, 2019). • ‘Kyle Hughes and Donald M. MacRaild, Ribbon Societies in Nineteenth-Century Ireland and its Diaspora: the Persistence of Tradition’ in Dublin Review of Books (June, 2019). • 'Conspirators: a photographic history of Ireland’s revolutionary underground (Mercier Press, 2015)', The Irish Story – (29/04/2019). • 'Breandán Mac Suibhne, The end of outrage: post-Famine adjustment in rural Ireland (Oxford, 2017)', New Hibernia Review, xxii, no.4 (Winter, 2018), pp 147-55.
Other	Magazine or newspaper articles • ‘Rathcoole’s United Irishmen: John Clinch and Felix Rourke’ in An Spréach, issue no.6, October-December 2019. • ‘Rathcoole and the United Irishmen’ in The Northside/Southside People, 27 Nov. 2019. • 'Béal na mBuillí i mbéal an phobail: An ghéarchéim tithíochta agus cumhacht an mhargaidh' i Mionlach: irisleabhar de chuid Misneach, uimhir. 11 (Aibreán, 2019). • ‘An tOideachas Tríú Leibhéil faoi ionsaí: cén leigheas?' i Mionlach: irisleabhar de chuid Misneach, uimhir. 10 (Lúnasa, 2018). • ‘Language Planning Committees move to form national organisation’ in Carn: a link between the Celtic nations, no. 171 (Summer/Autumn, 2018). • ‘The Sleeping Beauty awoken: EU militarisation and the further erosion of Irish neutrality’ in Carn: a link between the Celtic nations, no. 170 (Spring, 2018). • ‘Bliain na Gaeilge: Gimic mhargaíochta nó deis dúshlán a thabhairt?' i Mionlach: irisleabhar de chuid Misneach, uimhir. 9 (Mí Feabhra, 2018). • ‘Fenianism forgotten? A commentary on the IRB on its 150th anniversary’ in Carn: a link between the Celtic nations, no. 169 (Winter, 2017). • ‘Fightback begins against attacks on Irish language: An Comhrá Mór' in Carn: a link between the Celtic nations, no. 168 (Autumn, 2017). • 'Tost i ndiaidh torthaí an daonáirimh' i Mionlach: irisleabhar de chuid Misneach, uimhir.7 (Mí Bealtaine, 2017). • 'An pobal ag déanamh neamhaird ar an stát' i Mionlach: irisleabhar de chuid Minseach, uimhir.6 (Mí Feabhra, 2017). • 'Picking at the carcass: the Irish state and foreign vulture funds' in Carn: a link between the Celtic nations, no. 167 (Spring, 2017). • 'Peadar O'Donnell Forum – a way forward for the Left in Ireland?' in Carn: a link between the Celtic nations, no.166 (Winter, 2016). • 'Misneach: ag dul ó neart go neart' i Mionalch: irisleabhar de chuid Misneach, uimhir.5 (Samhain, 2016). • 'The Apple tax saga' in Carn: a link between the Celtic nations, no.165 (Autumn, 2016). • 'Celtic League 1916 commemorative program' in Carn: a link between the Celtic nations, no.164 (Summer 2016). • 'Éirí Amach na Cásca agus gluaiseacht luath na Gaeilge: Liam Ó Maolruanaidh, 1873-1901' i Mionlach: irisleabhar de chuid Minseach, uimhir.3 (Samhain, 2015). • 'Debates within Irish language movement' in Carn: a link between the Celtic nations, no.163 (Winter, 2015). • 'Athneartú phobal Gaeilge Bhrí Chualann' i Mionlach: irisleabhar de chuid Misneach, uimhir.2 (Bealtaine, 2015). • 'Irish Famine as comedy' in Carn: a link between the Celtic nations, no. 161 (Spring, 2015). • 'Cymdeithas yr Iaith: ár macasamhail féin sa Bhreatain Bheag' in Mionlach, uimh. 1 (Eanáir, 2015).