Irish Association of Professional Historians

About me

Email	kerron.oluain@gmail.com
Bio	I am currently researching the transnational history of the Catholic and nationalist fraternal organisation, The Ancient Order of Hibernians. I am also teaching history in UCD and will soon begin working as historical consultant on a documentary on the IRB for TG4. ___ I received my PhD in history from QUB in 2016. The thesis examined popular collective action in Ulster and its various forms (Ribbonism, Fenianism, the Confederate Clubs and agrarian and sectarian mobilisation). Prior to that I completed both my BA (History, Irish) and MA in History at the National University of Ireland, Galway. I am fully fluent in Irish. ___ My interests are primarily 19th and 20th century Irish history, most specifically; secret societies, revolutionary nationalism and popular protest.
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	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	• Editorial Assistant, Fiontair & Scoil na Gaeilge, DCU, 2017. • Heritage Officer, Saggart Heritage Centre, 2017. • Archival Assistant, ESB International, 2007, 2009.
Consultancy work	• 2017, for Dearcán Media, TG4/BBC. Consultation with regards the IRB during the years 1916-24.
Management & Administrative experience	Seminar series organiser, Queen's University Belfast, 2013.
Teaching	• 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: • 26 March 2018: Part of RnaG radio panel 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. ____ Experise inquiries: • 2017, Edward Pomeroy, student sitting A-levels, sought assistance with regards question on history of Irish nationalist discontent from 1886-1998. • 2017, Amanda Gale, 10th grade student at Claremont high school. Consulted me with regards the Irish Revolution, 1916-23. • 2017, Dan Martucci, writing history thesis at Colgate University, New York. Consulted me with regards history of Irish pub culture. • 2017, South Dublin County Council. Advised on history and location of important buildings in locality for erection of historical information sign. • 2016, Jerome Devitt, historian. Advised on aspects of Ribbonism for a play set in nineteenth-century Ireland. • 2016, Rathcoole Community Centre. Advised on history of Irish Revolution in south-west Dublin to be used during centenary and for the erection of a memorial stone. • 2015, Michael McCartan, amateur historian, County Down. Advised on history of Ribbonism and the Battle of Dolly’s Brae 1849. • 2015, Jessie Melia, journalism student at DIT. Held interview on current state of history in educational institutions and wider society. ____ Genealogical Inquiries: • 2016: Neil Curran, descendent of family who lived in locality during time of Easter Rising. Inquiry originated in talk I gave during centenary. • 2014: Paul Magill, amateur historian and descendant of Belfast Fenian Frank Roney. Provided information which helped elaborate on Roney’s role during Belfast riots of 1857 and 1864. ____ 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.
Committees & Associations	The Four Districts Remembers 1916 Centenary Committee: acted as secretary and general organiser/manager of seminar series and Easter commemoration.
Awards	• 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 • ‘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	• (Forthcoming) 'Rathcoole and the United Irish Rebellions, 1798-1803' (Four Courts Press, Dublin, 2020).
Peer Reviewed Journals	• (Under review) ‘“The split” in Irish nationalism: Young and Old Ireland in Ulster, 1846-1848’ in New Hibernia Review, 2018. • (Forthcoming) ‘“Craven subserviency had vanished. Bitter hostility had arrived”: Agrarian violence and the Tenant League on the Ulster borderlands, 1849-52’ in Irish Historical Studies, 2019. • 'The Ribbon Societies of Louth and Armagh, 1848-1864' in Seanchas Ard Mhacha: Journal of the Armagh Diocesan Historical Society, Volume 25, 2014
Other Journals	• 'The Four Districts and the Irish Revolution, 1916-23' in Journal of the Kildare Archaeological Society, October 2017.
Electronic Publications	• ‘“A policy of Passive Resistance”: Sinn Féin and abstentionism – an historical overview’ in The Irish Story (www.theirishstory.com)(4/07/2017).
Other	Magazine articles • ‘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). • 'Ulster's Forgotten Fenians: the dog that didn't bark in 1867' in History Ireland, March/April 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).