I’m a 24 year old Irishman, with an interest in military history, strategic study, sport, rpgs, politics, science fiction, fantasy and much, much more! I’m a Masters Graduate in the subjects of Military History and Strategic Study from NUI Maynooth at the Centre for Military History. My focus is County Limerick in the Irish Civil War.
In this blog I write about Irish politics, military affairs, international relations, book/media reviews and sport. Not to mention, anything else that comes to mind. But ‘Abouts’ are supposed to tell you more than that so, for those interested, my views have been described as “culturally liberal, politically conservative.” I think war is neither good or evil, it just is. I think Labour messed up badly when they entered government. I think John Keegan is pretty good, except for his thoughts on Clausewitz.
I like the Cortex system. I don’t like DnD.
I am Manchester United fan and proud, though we defend too much recently.
Ah, any other questions, feel free to leave a comment. Personal attacks on myself or others will be deleted, the users banned. It happens, regrettably.
This is a fantastic blog, fair play!
Hi,
Fantastic blog, only found it today.
Would love to see you hit the current red ar$ed government with questions about their defence policy.
From what I can see it seems that FG have capitulated to labour on all aspects of their 800 odd word defence policy bar the medical services review. As a serving NCO with the Reserve Defence Forces I would really like to know what they plan to do about our decimated numbers? Most Companys are currenly operating at platoon minus strength. Its had an appalling effect on morale in the RDF. Everyone you speak to is polarised, either believing that at any second the recruitment embargo will be lifted or else the RDF will be completely disbanded.
The embargo is not just culling numbers, its also affecting the ability of the RDF to continue. Without promotions we cannot continue to retain training staff to train recruits if they allow us to take more in again. If they suddenly allow recruitment you could see a situation whereby we have lost the knowledge carrying resources and will have to effectively be rebuilt which could increase costs to the PDF. Many newer NCO’s have gone through the PDF designed centralised NCO promotion course and now find themselves unable to share that knowledge with troops as there are hardly any to train! My own unit has about 8 NCO’s circling a single platoon, we have to rotate lesson plans as such so some training nights as an NCO you sit in the back of the room with little to do. Soul destroying stuff to arrive straight off an NCO course and sit there with your hands tied.
I hope they make a decision soon.
Either way, thanks for this blog, you are now ‘favorited’
You’re very welcome.
Just found your blog today while looking for the Decisive Battles of the World and was impressed but what really brought me over to your side was your trenchant analysis of the Battle of Helm’s Deep as depicted in the second LotR movie …. kudos ….
Thanks
Great blog, looking forward to getting some time to read it. I’ve just started a blog of my own on Soviet war memorials, museums, etc…
http://mamayevkurgan.wordpress.com/
It’s very light on content at the moment as I’m just getting used to the whole process but hopefully I’ll be adding a lot to it over the coming weeks and months. Good to see a fellow LOI fan btw…what chances of a Sligo v Limerick league cup final?
Thank you for the kind words. Best of luck on your own blog, and I would think that Sligo would be more interested in the league really!
Hi!
I nominated you for the Reader Appreciation Award, check it out here:- http://momentsnotmemories.wordpress.com/2012/07/16/reader-appreciation-award-ta/ 
love the blog.
Very interesting blog! Only had time to glance over it today – will take a closer look tomorrow.
My Da, a veteran of the Sunday uprising in Cork and I, a veteran of Vietnam. We both had our deeds of valor trashed by the political class of our era. Then again, most patriots experience this sooner or later.
Keep writing young – it needs to said!
Hello there. Your LOTR entries are well written and informative. Do you have a direct e-mail address with which I can contact you? I have a couple questions. Thanks! ClevoBobby@yahoo.com