Laura McAtackney
@lauramca
Working on archaeology, heritage, memory, and knowing the past as Prof in Radical Humanities at UC Cork. Specializes in post/conflict and post/colonial contexts inc fieldwork in Ireland and Caribbean. Unapologetic focus on social justice.
He took notes of everything, especially details of bank accounts, pensions and all fin info that revealed a fear of not having enough. Fear you can only grasp when you see the list of his dead siblings - Martha (2), John Joseph (21), Alice (22) - who all died due to the conditions they lived in.
My granda - James Sharkey - was born in 1912 in a working class nationalist area of East Belfast (there wasn’t many!). He was a proud, articulate, fair, man. A lorry driver, trade unionist, organizer of Féis. I found his accounts from Féis Naomh Pól, which he was still running until he was 68.
Out little black cat couldn’t be left behind for a short holiday so developed a yucky eye (official diagnosis) the day of our trip that entailed my husband driving c800 miles in a 24 hour period to retrieve him so we could feed him meds and generally lavishly pamper him. Not a bit grateful.
Gorgeous photo! We were there this morning - recreating a two generation family photo around Yeats’ grave! The landscape also looks gorgeous with the clouds moving through it!
To illustrate the weather change in Co Sligo, a picture of the beach i was swimming from on Friday v Saturday. Water was still lovely and warm but still …
Channelling Irish-Mexican points of connection through the Batallón de San Patricio #MEXvENG
Here comes the bonfire discourse … and this sorry reminds me I saw a Northern reg lorry only containing stacked wooden pallets crossing the border on my way from Cork to Belfast y’day. Bonfires as an all-Ireland enterprise, gotta love it!
One thing I noticed in my circuitous walk around Thaxton is not just the absolute absence of flags - of any descriptor - but also the heightened mc sensibilities. This is not so much a sign of a CNR area but a mc area. Signs related to dog walking etiquette and competitive floral loveliness.
My personal connection is that my mum has lived in Thaxton for c10 years. She bought a house before the garage was here and there were no flags at the roundabout the first few years. Increasingly they have been added, extended and contested. The runnable stands in contrast to the streets inside.
What i’ve found interesting is how this clearly contested claiming of a high traffic area has been used to argue that the gen area is ‘loyalist’. Usually by people who aren’t from the area and have never actually been inside Thaxton itself. Contrast flags at the roundabout v the adjacent street.
There is something super refreshing about going to a disciplinary conference this is not your own. So far so AMAZING with the #FCHS26 conference with lots of great sessions on French colonial Caribbean. Fab organization by @donalh.bsky.social and Maynooth looking glorious.
This message has come to you by the fact that some horrible piece of shit got annoyed that i criticized the racists burning people out of their houses in Belfast and left this enlightening message.
Just out of a wonderful event with Maggie O’Farrell talking about her new book Land (sounds fascinating, looking forward to reading it!). Really interesting to know there is a prehistoric section in it and parts inspired by @nmireland.bsky.social, her favorite museum in the world (apparently!).
Of all the wonderful things in Antwerp, this cat cafe was ultimately a balm my soul needed x
(2) By look, I suspected the Dufferin Tiara was ‘Irish’. the description notes it was made in Eng for Lady Hariot Dufferin (1843-1936) with one diamond shamrock detachable. The text focuses on the regal places it has been and the renown of the wearer, not its cultural appropriation.
(1) The Bronze Age embossed gold collar is at the main entrance entitled ‘The Ancient World’. Description follows well worn tropes of ‘ritual’ and ‘elites’, the description states it was ‘said to have been found’ in Limerick ‘before 1783’. Gifted in 1948. What happened in between?
Just finished a wonderful couple of days in Prague with colleagues discussing disappearing, forgetting, and material loss. Was one of those great events that had enough time built in for discussion, including a walking tour and some chilled beers at the end. Perfect!
A wonderful couple of days listening to colleagues from many disciplines exploring temporalities. With special thanks to our keynotes Antonia Thomas and Alberica Bazzoni, for pushing imaginative possibilities. Also to the organizing team of Leonora Masini, Chiara Giuliani and Barbara Siller.
What an amazing night with the incomparable Emerita Professor Rashid Khalifi at @maynoothuniversity.ie, where he gave a master class in comparative colonialism and how the English model was transferred to Palestine. Viva Palestine x
A lovely day trip along the ‘copper coast’ (essentially from Dungarvan to Tramore) with beautifully cloud swirled skies and seas just a little too choppy for a swim. Can’t wait to get back in late May! Stradbally beach was our first stop x
I have nothing but love and praise for all the staff at NI Hospice for their kindness during my mother’s last illness. My family feel blessed that she was so well taken care of and we were treated with such love. On her last days we were in the hospice 24/7 and the sweet tea and sympathy flowed.
Randomly found paper copies of my MPhil (2002) and PhD (2008) in my office and I’m slightly perturbed that i’ve been calling my PhD by a different name for the last xx years. Opps!
Had an amazing time in the Linenhall Library book shop on royal avenue today. I’m a sucker for old and random books and who doesn’t love a table of ‘Randomers’ including a copy of John Whyte’s ‘Interpreting Northern Ireland’ and a book on Lagan Valley previously owned by R Dudley Edwards :)
Our mad cat turns his nose up at purpose created blankets, beds, toys etc but loves nothing more than luxuriating on a scrap of cardboard and playing with some pink string. Never change, Crowe! Happy #caturday
There is an interesting little contemporary archaeology / garbology project site near where i live where a 19C wall has collapsed to reveal an active hidey spot for mainly cheap vodka. There is an old iron gate / fence now apparently and really interesting is that it is being added to!
Would it be a sunday morning without the Irish Times doing a puff piece on how great the Brits were in the North? Today we have ex-SAS saying they did nothing illegal, talking about govt betrayal. Oh the mirth, the numerous books, interviews, dogs on the streets etc were all imagining it!
The christmas cake, which i’ve been feeding like a precious baby since October, seems to be a success!