John Crotty – Author

The Irish Tricolour – Its accurate origins

The Irish Tricolour – Its accurate origins
For decades an inaccurate story has been told about the Irish Tricolour. This inaccurate story emerged in the 1990’s following a misidentification of a French flag, flown in Waterford on March 07th, 1848. The misidentification… View Post

Emelia Eleanor Hamilton – The woman behind the Irish Tricolour

Emelia Eleanor Hamilton – The woman behind the Irish Tricolour
The popularised story behind the Irish Tricolour holds the flag was first flown in Waterford on March 7th 1848 by Thomas Francis Meagher. He had allegedly received the flag from a group of sympathetic French… View Post

Welcome to the official John Crotty website

Welcome to the official John Crotty website
I’m an Irish author, historian and heritage advocate from Waterford with a passion for uncovering the stories, symbols and independence journey that shaped our nation.I write books, share history, and help others bring their own… View Post

Jack in the box – the infamous James Grey

Jack in the box – the infamous James Grey
Of all the crafty prisoners to pass through Spike Island, there were none craftier than Manchester’s James Grey. His clever crime went unnoticed for years and he lived a fine life between Ireland and England… View Post

Talking Spike Island with Oliver Callan

Talking Spike Island with Oliver Callan
Listen in to a chat about all things regarding Spike Island history with Oliver Callan from May 2024… Click here – View Post

The child prisoners of Ireland’s Alcatraz

The child prisoners of Ireland’s Alcatraz
In addition to the incarceration of male adults at Spike Island’s 19th century prison, boys as young as twelve were not spared hard time.  The punishment of what we now call juvenile offenders was standard… View Post

Hunger strikes, prison riot & the suspected murder of Daniel Clancy – The Irish Republican unrest on Spike Island,1921

Hunger strikes, prison riot & the suspected murder of Daniel Clancy – The Irish Republican unrest on Spike Island,1921
Spike Island started 1921 as a British Military base, a function it had occupied since 1779. Built to defend the important Cork Harbour from Napoleonic attack, the fort was converted into a prison in 1847,… View Post