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The Secret Bomb-Maker of Ireland: How Rory O'Connor Fueled the Revolution
In this episode of the Irish History Boys, we reflect on the life and radicalization of Republican figure Rory O’Connor, drawing on Jerry Shannon’s new biography, To Defend the Republic. We examine O’Connor’s transition from a "wandering spirit" working on Canadian railroads to a central, albeit enigmatic, figure in the Irish Volunteers and the IRB.
We explore O’Connor’s surprising personal background, born into a "castle Catholic" family with a father who supported the British regime. We discuss his elite education and early radicalization at UCD, where he first met key figures like Joseph…
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