JOHN CROTTY is an Irish author and historian best known for his ground-breaking research into the origins of the Irish Tricolour. His work challenged long-standing assumptions about Ireland’s national flag and presents the most comprehensive study of Ireland’s emblems of identity – the Harp, Shamrock, Green for Ireland and more. He is also author of the acclaimed book Spike Island, recognised by Books.ie’s as one of its ‘Books of the Year’ 2024. Before becoming an author John served as the CEO of Spike Island Cork where he launched a world class visitor attraction, the Island named as ‘Europe’s Leading Tourist Attraction’ in 2017 under his stewardship.
He has written for RTÉ, The Sunday Times, the Guardian, Irish Examiner and more and is an accomplished public speaker. John has appeared on several TV shows like the Discovery Channel, ITV’s How the Victorians Built Britain and RTÉ, in addition to innumerable radio appearances.
He graduated from Swansea University and regularly speaks at history and writing events in addition to contributing to historical podcasts. He has built an engaged social media audience interested in an accurate retelling of Irish history, comprehensive historiography related to Irish symbols and identity, the Irish tricolour, Spike Island and the real role an actions of Ireland in World War Two.
His next highly anticipated work is an updated understanding of Ireland’s activity in World War Two, revealing previously unknown plots, twisted politics and a dangerous game of subterfuge.
In his own words –
‘I look back now and see a strong storytelling tradition growing up in the Deise. The TV was rarely on, except for the Late Late, G.A.A and the Angelus. Evenings were spent by the fire, the silence punctuated by splintering turf and coal. The tick of a clock. It was 1980’s Ireland but it could have been the 1880’s. You’d miss the silence.
People spoke. My grandfather would talk of the Free State and young Ireland finding its feet. My granduncle Thomas was a walking history book who never left the parish except for hurling. He knew every blade of grass and stone, every secret they hid. The banshee, the battle of Affane, Petticoat loose – they were all regular visitors. My grandmother Peg made time for stories – after prayers of course! You had to ‘trust in God’!
A second granduncle was an Augustinian missionary to Africa all his life, spending his days building villages in Nigeria. On rare breaks home he was granted accommodation in the Vatican, adoring its libraries and formalities. He would frequent the Vatican Libraries on these trips, a privilege most of us can only dream of. On the other side of the family my grandfather Johnnie of Villierstown was a fisherman all his life. He could tell you the tide to within an inch at any time time of day. He lived by the land and the currents, like many in Ireland for centuries before him.
My parents provided a house of books, Readers Digest a regular arrival. They encouraged me to travel and after a slow start and a disappointing college dropout, I moved to Wales alone. There were lonely times but confidence followed. I visited over sixty countries in ten years, seeing the world’s wonders. I graduated. It felt like I was doing the travelling my grandparents and parents had not done, adding a page to the family album.
I worked hard to earn my place leading an Irish wonder, Spike Island, on my return. The stories I heard there led to a first book. History is now not just a passion, but a way of life. My love for my country, its people and history infused everything I do.
We are blessed with an extraordinary story in Ireland. Not just around us but in us and part of us.
No one has a longer memory than the Irish.
