Published author & historian | Books ‘The Irish Tricolour’ & ‘Spike Island’ out now | Leading authority on Irish symbols | Love to share interesting history, travel & writing | http://johncrottyauthor.comhttps://bsky.app/profile/itsjohncrotty.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/itsjohncrotty.bsky.social/post/3mfca6y5ehc2iDid you know new research has shown a forgotten female patriot 1st fused Irelands colours? Dubliner Emilia Hamilton crafted an Irish Tricolour cockade in 1830, 18 years before previously thought She gave it it’s meaning - ‘let Orange & Green no longer be seen, bestained by the blood of our island’20 Feb 2026 13:38 +0000at://did:plc:6jokfpaf6xwp6num254mqid7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mfca6y5ehc2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/itsjohncrotty.bsky.social/post/3mf2kfmbbzs25Did you know Ireland was an island alone off Europe’s western edge for over 3000 years? By 10000BC rising seas cut Ireland off from Europe. Its first inhabitants to arrive & stay had to sail there, shaping an island identity Britain separated around 6200BC, creating the modern island archipelago17 Feb 2026 12:20 +0000at://did:plc:6jokfpaf6xwp6num254mqid7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mf2kfmbbzs25https://bsky.app/profile/itsjohncrotty.bsky.social/post/3meyr7jm6x227Huge thanks Irish Independent for kind words on my research: “this latest work of history has done a tremendous amount of research, including ferreting out original, sometimes unstudied documents from the past. Each symbol of Irishness has so much history behind it, detailed here so exhaustively”16 Feb 2026 19:16 +0000at://did:plc:6jokfpaf6xwp6num254mqid7/app.bsky.feed.post/3meyr7jm6x227https://bsky.app/profile/itsjohncrotty.bsky.social/post/3me2gqhl5ns2iOne of the oldest Amorials in history For Ireland, the most important Armorial Wijnbergen was made in northern France by heraldrists between 1260-1285 It captured many firsts, including the harp for Ireland With much earlier origins, it has remained in association with Eire for nearly 800 years04 Feb 2026 17:49 +0000at://did:plc:6jokfpaf6xwp6num254mqid7/app.bsky.feed.post/3me2gqhl5ns2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/itsjohncrotty.bsky.social/post/3mcmgrke5sc2gNot one but 2 articles to write this weekend Wildly differing topics: ‘The diminishment of Gaelic Ireland’ ‘The truth of Ireland’s Tricolour’ Prepare the coffee…17 Jan 2026 10:47 +0000at://did:plc:6jokfpaf6xwp6num254mqid7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mcmgrke5sc2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/itsjohncrotty.bsky.social/post/3mcg5t2tkws2zColour image from my upcoming book ‘The Irish Tricolour’ The Hill of Tara When we think of Irish identity, nowhere better represents this. It expresses an all island spiritual, legal & political identity that long predates modern nationalism A place of Gods & Kings Pic: Noel Meehan - Copter View14 Jan 2026 22:51 +0000at://did:plc:6jokfpaf6xwp6num254mqid7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mcg5t2tkws2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/itsjohncrotty.bsky.social/post/3mcccvqwoek2eConsidered by many the most beautiful book ever made The Book of Kells was crafted in 800AD by Irish monks, a highpoint in Irish craft Lavish pigments from across Europe fused to make a masterpiece From upcoming book ‘The Irish Tricolour’ ©️Board of Trinity College Dublin, zoom in for a treat!13 Jan 2026 10:11 +0000at://did:plc:6jokfpaf6xwp6num254mqid7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mcccvqwoek2ehttps://bsky.app/profile/itsjohncrotty.bsky.social/post/3mc5zujoe4c2hHuge thanks @thebookshopie.bsky.social In 4 weeks ‘The Irish Tricolour’ will completely re-write our understanding of Irish history The who, what and where of Ireland’s symbols are blown open Hold on to your historical hats - it’s going to be wild! Pre-order now - tinyurl.com/4sbn7c9z [contains quote post or other embedded content]11 Jan 2026 17:19 +0000at://did:plc:6jokfpaf6xwp6num254mqid7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mc5zujoe4c2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/itsjohncrotty.bsky.social/post/3lkl4ebuvxk2iIreland has millennia of symbology Some of our oldest symbols are over 5000 years old On #StPatricksDay what is the history & pedigree of Ireland's oldest symbols (1)17 Mar 2025 12:03 +0000at://did:plc:6jokfpaf6xwp6num254mqid7/app.bsky.feed.post/3lkl4ebuvxk2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/itsjohncrotty.bsky.social/post/3ljizqzsyg226I’d like to report a crime… #reading #writingcommunity03 Mar 2025 22:46 +0000at://did:plc:6jokfpaf6xwp6num254mqid7/app.bsky.feed.post/3ljizqzsyg226https://bsky.app/profile/itsjohncrotty.bsky.social/post/3le7amtpf5s26We didn’t get a white one in Ireland this year Here’s a throwback of a snowfall at the beautiful port town of Cobh, Cork - Last departure point of Titanic - Emigration place to America for millions - Service town for Spike Island prison - Irelands 3rd largest cathedral #ireland #Cork26 Dec 2024 10:17 +0000at://did:plc:6jokfpaf6xwp6num254mqid7/app.bsky.feed.post/3le7amtpf5s26https://bsky.app/profile/itsjohncrotty.bsky.social/post/3ldipxh6x2c2vIf anyone needs a book recommendation for a history lover for Christmas, you won’t go wrong with this Brilliant read by Bettany Hughes - full of scope and insight delivered in a digestible fashion #history #christmas17 Dec 2024 11:20 +0000at://did:plc:6jokfpaf6xwp6num254mqid7/app.bsky.feed.post/3ldipxh6x2c2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/itsjohncrotty.bsky.social/post/3ldgm2hiy3c2eIf anyone is wondering how many times you see your book on a bookshop shelf before it gets old Never It never gets old Keep writing - it’ll come (Eason’s #Dublin #Spikeisland)16 Dec 2024 15:04 +0000at://did:plc:6jokfpaf6xwp6num254mqid7/app.bsky.feed.post/3ldgm2hiy3c2ehttps://bsky.app/profile/itsjohncrotty.bsky.social/post/3ld6whbbxys2v‘Let’s buy this tub of chocolates now and we won’t eat it until Christmas Day’ I said to my wife Oh how we laughed 🎄13 Dec 2024 13:49 +0000at://did:plc:6jokfpaf6xwp6num254mqid7/app.bsky.feed.post/3ld6whbbxys2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/itsjohncrotty.bsky.social/post/3lcxi7nhy2c2wI live happily knowing Rome is just a 3 hour flight away10 Dec 2024 14:46 +0000at://did:plc:6jokfpaf6xwp6num254mqid7/app.bsky.feed.post/3lcxi7nhy2c2whttps://bsky.app/profile/itsjohncrotty.bsky.social/post/3lcvnq6gk2s2yI planned a BIG weekend of writing and boy oh boy my house has never looked cleaner I am a certified citizen of procrasti-Nation #amwriting #writingcommunity09 Dec 2024 21:19 +0000at://did:plc:6jokfpaf6xwp6num254mqid7/app.bsky.feed.post/3lcvnq6gk2s2yhttps://bsky.app/profile/itsjohncrotty.bsky.social/post/3lcupeq2smc2zThe military credentials of Spike Island are remarkable Winston Churchill would fight ferociously to retain the Irish island Yet most people don't know the monumental effort taken to secure the western approaches Here is the story of an island fortified to defend an Empire (1)09 Dec 2024 12:16 +0000at://did:plc:6jokfpaf6xwp6num254mqid7/app.bsky.feed.post/3lcupeq2smc2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/itsjohncrotty.bsky.social/post/3lcpndpsb3s26#cute07 Dec 2024 11:56 +0000at://did:plc:6jokfpaf6xwp6num254mqid7/app.bsky.feed.post/3lcpndpsb3s26https://bsky.app/profile/itsjohncrotty.bsky.social/post/3lckv7l743k25‘Spike Island’ is in the Bookshop.ie’s books of the year and can be found here Discover the island where Irelands remembers its storied past…https://thebookshop.ie/john-crotty-spike-island-the-rebels-residents-and-crafty-criminals-of-irelands-historic-island-pb-brand-new/w/ [contains quote post or other embedded content]05 Dec 2024 14:34 +0000at://did:plc:6jokfpaf6xwp6num254mqid7/app.bsky.feed.post/3lckv7l743k25https://bsky.app/profile/itsjohncrotty.bsky.social/post/3lcibxnfwk224Chuffed to see ‘Spike Island’ named in the Irish Examiners 35 ‘Cork books of the year’ An incredible Irish historical location in a county resplendent with stories Thanks @marjbrennan.bsky.social https://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/artsandculture/arid-41529293.html #Cork #merrionpress04 Dec 2024 13:44 +0000at://did:plc:6jokfpaf6xwp6num254mqid7/app.bsky.feed.post/3lcibxnfwk224https://bsky.app/profile/itsjohncrotty.bsky.social/post/3lcf6vszh4c2nWhile much of the world swings to the far right, Irelands rejects it entirely in a 2nd consecutive election ☘️👊🏻 Not 1 single anti-immigration candidate elected, from 60+ who ran A nation who’s sons and daughters were forced to emigrate hasn’t forgotten, & doesn’t punch down (1)03 Dec 2024 08:11 +0000at://did:plc:6jokfpaf6xwp6num254mqid7/app.bsky.feed.post/3lcf6vszh4c2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/itsjohncrotty.bsky.social/post/3lcf5ep2sk22nOnce more unto the research breach! I’m off to 2 of our capital cities stunning research spaces The National Library Reading room, 1890, has a stunning domed roof While Marsh’s Library, 1707, is Irelands oldest #research #amwriting #writing #nonfiction #Dublin03 Dec 2024 07:44 +0000at://did:plc:6jokfpaf6xwp6num254mqid7/app.bsky.feed.post/3lcf5ep2sk22nhttps://bsky.app/profile/itsjohncrotty.bsky.social/post/3lc6i2bsias2gNon-fiction history author here, new to Bluesky Hoping to connect to writers & book people of all genres Drop me a line, like or follow so I can follow you back30 Nov 2024 16:06 +0000at://did:plc:6jokfpaf6xwp6num254mqid7/app.bsky.feed.post/3lc6i2bsias2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/itsjohncrotty.bsky.social/post/3lc3v7arhtk2kJoseph Dwyer was a well to do Dubliner in Victorian Ireland He lived a high life until his father cut him off Joseph faced curtailing his lavish lifestyle - or doing something unthinkable This is the story of how Joseph Dwyer became know as ‘The Gravedigger’ http://johncrottyauthor.com/spike-island-history-the-gravedigger-joseph-dwyer-cork-and-irish-history/29 Nov 2024 15:24 +0000at://did:plc:6jokfpaf6xwp6num254mqid7/app.bsky.feed.post/3lc3v7arhtk2khttps://bsky.app/profile/itsjohncrotty.bsky.social/post/3lbytnfprxc2iSpike Island is Ireland's historic Island, worthy of UNESCO recognition Yet most people don't know its rich history or global significance Here are 17 short tweets that explain why Ireland's Alcatraz will be known everywhere as a true world wonder (1)28 Nov 2024 10:18 +0000at://did:plc:6jokfpaf6xwp6num254mqid7/app.bsky.feed.post/3lbytnfprxc2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/itsjohncrotty.bsky.social/post/3lbu3bltvrc2gHuge thanks to the Sunday Times for the write up - 'Spike Island in Cork Harbour encapsulates the Irish story better than perhaps any other location. It has been home to a monastery, a fortress and several island prisons' https://www.thetimes.com/article/71e49f20-d791-4fa6-822a-65d3e51b229c?t=ie #booksky #books26 Nov 2024 12:51 +0000at://did:plc:6jokfpaf6xwp6num254mqid7/app.bsky.feed.post/3lbu3bltvrc2g