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Neil Johnston

@nejohnst

Historian. Cyclist. Runner. Irishman. Head of Early Modern Records at The National Archives, Kew. Co-I with the Virtual Record Treasury of Ireland

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Latest posts by Neil Johnston @nejohnst

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07.03.2026 18:55 πŸ‘ 980 πŸ” 235 πŸ’¬ 8 πŸ“Œ 16
Preview
Bonus Episode: Phantom Publics and the Reality of the Edogbo Racist Abuse Podcast Episode Β· The Second Captains Podcast Β· 5 March Β· 51m

Important work by @secondcaptains.bsky.social here podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...

06.03.2026 19:31 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Publication of my short #PenguinMonarchs book on Henry VII on #WorldBookDay is wonderful. Enjoy the early #Tudor conspiracies, tragedies & @jodyhewgill.bsky.socialβ€˜s amazing cover painting. Thanks to the team @penguinrandomhouse.bsky.social

05.03.2026 19:45 πŸ‘ 37 πŸ” 11 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 3
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In 2006 I told the late (great) Prof. Ray Gillespie that I wanted to publish every surviving scrap from the 1766 religious census, by 2016. I missed the 🎯by 10 yrs, but πŸ˜ƒ to report that on the 260th anniv. it's done. Everything, >50k names & population details, now online.
@maynoothuniversity.ie

05.03.2026 14:12 πŸ‘ 39 πŸ” 12 πŸ’¬ 6 πŸ“Œ 0
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05.03.2026 16:42 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

Just pushing up the registration link for the virtual book launch here πŸ‘‡. See you there!

28.02.2026 12:20 πŸ‘ 6 πŸ” 4 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 1
https://virtualtreasury.ie/item/NAI-PRIV-M-5036-A-9 
Handwritten copy of the Irish House of Lords resolution on 5 march 1766 ordering the 1766 Religious Census to be taken.
Source: National Archives, Ireland, PRIV/M/5036A, p. 13.

https://virtualtreasury.ie/item/NAI-PRIV-M-5036-A-9 Handwritten copy of the Irish House of Lords resolution on 5 march 1766 ordering the 1766 Religious Census to be taken. Source: National Archives, Ireland, PRIV/M/5036A, p. 13.

https://www.virtualtreasury.ie/gold-seams/1766-religious-census

The homepage for the 1766 Religious Census on the Virtual Record Treasury of Ireland.

Every surviving copy census records from over a dozen archives are gathered together and fully searchable here.

https://www.virtualtreasury.ie/gold-seams/1766-religious-census The homepage for the 1766 Religious Census on the Virtual Record Treasury of Ireland. Every surviving copy census records from over a dozen archives are gathered together and fully searchable here.

Countdown to the 260th anniversary of Ireland's first census. πŸ•°οΈ 7️⃣
5 March 1766 the Irish House of Lords orders a census of all householders noting 'which are protestants and which are Papists' (Catholics).
They gave only 61 days to cover the whole country!
virtualtreasury.ie/item/NAI-PRI...
πŸ‘€ ALT

26.02.2026 13:05 πŸ‘ 20 πŸ” 10 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 3

VRTI will be posting some information about the 1766 religious census returns over the next few days (260th πŸŽ‚ approaching). Keep an πŸ‘οΈout. We'll be revealing some hidden gems πŸ’Ž among the surviving returns.

26.02.2026 13:28 πŸ‘ 11 πŸ” 6 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Deborah Prentice, welcomed the Taoiseach (Prime Minister), MicheΓ‘l Martin, to Cambridge to celebrate the appointment of the University’s first Childers Professor of Irish History.
Photo of Prof Alvin Jackson, Taoiseach MicheΓ‘l Martin, and Vice-Chancellor Prof Deborah Prentice standing in the Great Court, Trinity College, Cambridge.

Photo credit: University of Cambridge

The text of the Taoiseach's speech is available here: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-the-taoiseach/speeches/address-of-taoiseach-miche%C3%A1l-martin-announcement-of-the-first-childers-professor-of-modern-irish-history-at-cambridge-university-trinity-college-cambridge-friday-20th-february-2026/

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Deborah Prentice, welcomed the Taoiseach (Prime Minister), MicheΓ‘l Martin, to Cambridge to celebrate the appointment of the University’s first Childers Professor of Irish History. Photo of Prof Alvin Jackson, Taoiseach MicheΓ‘l Martin, and Vice-Chancellor Prof Deborah Prentice standing in the Great Court, Trinity College, Cambridge. Photo credit: University of Cambridge The text of the Taoiseach's speech is available here: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-the-taoiseach/speeches/address-of-taoiseach-miche%C3%A1l-martin-announcement-of-the-first-childers-professor-of-modern-irish-history-at-cambridge-university-trinity-college-cambridge-friday-20th-february-2026/

https://virtualtreasury.ie/item/CamTrinity-MS-1388 

Flyleaves from MS 1388, Gesta Romanorum, Trinity College, Cambridge.
The three flyleaves at the beginning are fragments of an account roll of cent. xiv, xv. On one side, well written, are portions of an Irish rental. 
Among the names that occur are
1. Ballythormoth Β· Ballybrodyn Β· MologhrathΒ· Balyrothe ...Henr. Adameson.Christopher de Holywode.Manerium de Trym.
2. Nouum castrum de Lyones Tasshagard.... Joh. Humbleton... Laurencius Neweton....fratres Carmelitarum leghlyn... Galfr. de Vale miles.Cromlyn.Bally Margg.Capella Isold et saltus salmonum... Walt. de la Hyde... Edw.Perrers... Will. Wellesley... Th. Monyn... Will. Kylmyngton.Walt. Eure... Prior S. Joh. Jerusalem hibern.
3. Balyskeagh.Manerium de demore.Castelricard.Maneria de Rathtoirith(?) Ardumlghan Β· Moylagli Β· Kyldalk


Each paragraph ends with a statement of what is due to the King: "itaque domino Refi," "et sic Regi" etc
On the other side in a rougher hand are some more accounts, viz
Rentale Johannis Shordich
and
copenhanger doune.

See more Cambridge MSs in VRTI: https://www.virtualtreasury.ie/collecting-history-exhibition

https://virtualtreasury.ie/item/CamTrinity-MS-1388 Flyleaves from MS 1388, Gesta Romanorum, Trinity College, Cambridge. The three flyleaves at the beginning are fragments of an account roll of cent. xiv, xv. On one side, well written, are portions of an Irish rental. Among the names that occur are 1. Ballythormoth Β· Ballybrodyn Β· MologhrathΒ· Balyrothe ...Henr. Adameson.Christopher de Holywode.Manerium de Trym. 2. Nouum castrum de Lyones Tasshagard.... Joh. Humbleton... Laurencius Neweton....fratres Carmelitarum leghlyn... Galfr. de Vale miles.Cromlyn.Bally Margg.Capella Isold et saltus salmonum... Walt. de la Hyde... Edw.Perrers... Will. Wellesley... Th. Monyn... Will. Kylmyngton.Walt. Eure... Prior S. Joh. Jerusalem hibern. 3. Balyskeagh.Manerium de demore.Castelricard.Maneria de Rathtoirith(?) Ardumlghan Β· Moylagli Β· Kyldalk Each paragraph ends with a statement of what is due to the King: "itaque domino Refi," "et sic Regi" etc On the other side in a rougher hand are some more accounts, viz Rentale Johannis Shordich and copenhanger doune. See more Cambridge MSs in VRTI: https://www.virtualtreasury.ie/collecting-history-exhibition

The Statue of Kilkenny's ban on mixed marriages being enforced. 1396/7. 

Translation of entry on Page 32 of MS 3104:

J.W. is indicted because he took Finowle Γ“ hAnluain, an Irish woman, in cayff and held her for two years feloniously, contrary to the form of the Statute of Kilkenny. And he pleaded for pardon. 20 Richard II, roll 7.
(Trans. P. Crooks)

See more Cambridge MSs in VRTI: https://www.virtualtreasury.ie/collecting-history-exhibition

The Statue of Kilkenny's ban on mixed marriages being enforced. 1396/7. Translation of entry on Page 32 of MS 3104: J.W. is indicted because he took Finowle Γ“ hAnluain, an Irish woman, in cayff and held her for two years feloniously, contrary to the form of the Statute of Kilkenny. And he pleaded for pardon. 20 Richard II, roll 7. (Trans. P. Crooks) See more Cambridge MSs in VRTI: https://www.virtualtreasury.ie/collecting-history-exhibition

See Irish historical records shared by Cambridge and other British and Irish research libraries at our online exhibition:
https://www.virtualtreasury.ie/collecting-history-exhibition

See Irish historical records shared by Cambridge and other British and Irish research libraries at our online exhibition: https://www.virtualtreasury.ie/collecting-history-exhibition

Welcome remarks by @micheal-martin.bsky.social at @trincolllibcam.bsky.social
Irish + British histories are bound together:
sometimes literally! virtualtreasury.ie/item/CamTrin...
often personally - virtualtreasury.ie/item/CUL-MS-...
and collaboratively πŸ‘οΈ
πŸ‘€ ALT text
@camlibresearch.bsky.social

22.02.2026 14:49 πŸ‘ 18 πŸ” 10 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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"On Raglan Road on an autumn day I met her first and knew
That her dark hair would weave a snare that I might one day rue."
After hearing Luke Kelly (d. #OTD 1984) singing in the Bailey pub, poet Patrick Kavanagh requested he interpret his poem β€˜On Raglan Road’. www.dib.ie/biography/ke... #DIBLives

30.01.2026 09:43 πŸ‘ 173 πŸ” 24 πŸ’¬ 8 πŸ“Œ 3
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Our latest exhibition, Love Letters, is now open at The National Archives, revealing 500 years of love. From paupers, monarchs, queer networks & quiet acts of affection found in government records.

Very proud to have been lead curator on this one, working with so many wonderful people! πŸ’Œ

26.01.2026 22:57 πŸ‘ 66 πŸ” 26 πŸ’¬ 4 πŸ“Œ 4
Preview
Brewing Power: Food and Drink in Sixteenth-Century Dublin Castle is delighted to present a six-part public lecture series exploring how food and drink shaped everyday life, social relationships and authority in sixteenth-century Ireland.

For any of you interested in early modern beer, Dublin Castle, or just history and food in general, this series of talks and tastings I have helped put together might be of interest 🍻🧐
#History #Heritage #Food #Beer #SpeirGorm
www.eventbrite.com/cc/brewing-p...

21.01.2026 21:59 πŸ‘ 15 πŸ” 13 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 3
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In a brand new publication in #PER online, Neil Johnston (@nejohnst.bsky.social) reviews 'Empire and enterprise. Money, power and the Adventurers for Irish land during the British Civil Wars' (Manchester University Press, 2020) by David Brown.

www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....

08.01.2026 20:58 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

I’m sorry I missed this

15.12.2025 21:29 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Thanks Helen

09.12.2025 21:36 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Needless to say I’m delighted about this. It was super to work with Simon Neal, who re-catalogued more than 70 volumes; to collaborate with Eamonn Kenny @adaptcentre.bsky.social who knocked the data into shape; and to incorporate it into the Knowledge Graph we’re building, based on @dib.ie entries

09.12.2025 17:55 πŸ‘ 18 πŸ” 7 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 1
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#TNAConnections Another great Gold Seam you can explore on the VRTI is that of the State Papers Ireland, 1660–1715 (TNA SP 63), an assembled collection of official letters, private papers, and correspondence that is held at @nationalarchives.gov.uk.web.brid.gy.

virtualtreasury.ie/gold-seams/s...

09.12.2025 13:05 πŸ‘ 16 πŸ” 12 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 1

Looking forward to getting a copy

26.11.2025 15:56 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

Same

11.11.2025 11:48 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
Browse records of other archives | The National Archives The official archive of the UK government. Our vision is to lead and transform information management, guarantee the survival of today's information for tomorrow and bring history to life for everyone...

Over 20,000 item descriptions have been added to REQ 2 (Court of Requests proceedings) since March 2024. An absolute treasure trove for Tudor historians. discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/browse/r/r/C...

07.11.2025 08:50 πŸ‘ 15 πŸ” 10 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
London Lives

Really pleased to announce the launch of the all-new, all-dancing, London Lives website - www.londonlives.org It has been thoroughly re-engineered to facilitate more types of search, and redesigned for phones and tablets. The team very much hopes peope like it. 1/

05.11.2025 11:24 πŸ‘ 146 πŸ” 114 πŸ’¬ 8 πŸ“Œ 21

Really impressive work transforming Sweetman’s Calendars into computational data

24.10.2025 17:42 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Henry Savage Sweetman: the man who uncovered Ireland’s medieval history Henry Savage Sweetman published the Calendar which translated over 8,000 Irish medieval records. But who was Sweetman and why did he complete this project?

It was a pleasure to collaborate with Paul Dryburgh (TNA, UK) on this blog on the fascinating life of H.S Sweetman. More to come so watch this space! @historytcd.bsky.social @virtualtreasury.bsky.social

www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/explore-the-...

24.10.2025 16:13 πŸ‘ 19 πŸ” 11 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 2
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We are thrilled to share the CFP for our Symposium, Politics and Culture of the Late Stuart Court, 1649-1714. We hope to bring together a range of interdisciplinary research on this complex and understudied period! #EarlyModern #CfP

21.10.2025 10:59 πŸ‘ 20 πŸ” 15 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 2

Mos def

03.10.2025 19:37 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Tudor and Stuart Ireland Conference Podcasts Since 2011, more than 200 speakers from a range of disciplines including History, English, Archaeology and Art History, have presented papers at Tudor and Stuart Ireland conferences. Download podcasts...

Podcasts from this year's Tudor and Stuart Ireland conference @ucddublin.bsky.social are now available. Thanks to Mike Liffey @historyhub.bsky.social for making us all sounds so crisp historyhub.ie/tudor-and-st...

02.10.2025 20:53 πŸ‘ 25 πŸ” 17 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 2
Seal of John, Lord of Ireland. Catalogue reference: C 109/86 (4).

Seal of John, Lord of Ireland. Catalogue reference: C 109/86 (4).

Paul Dryburgh

Paul Dryburgh

This Fri, 19 September: Join Paul Dryburgh, medieval collections specialist @nationalarchives.gov.uk.web.brid.gy, for "England's first colony: medieval Ireland, 1171-1500". An overview of English intervention in Ireland and its role in the political development of the British and Irish isles.

15.09.2025 12:05 πŸ‘ 26 πŸ” 17 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 0

A link to the online version: historyireland.com/a-sea-of-par...

01.09.2025 08:23 πŸ‘ 7 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

A final bump for this. Closing date is Sunday, 31 August

27.08.2025 09:00 πŸ‘ 6 πŸ” 14 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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4.6 Billion Years On, the Sun Is Having a Moment In the past two years, without much notice, solar power has begun to truly transform the world’s energy system.

Phenomenal @newyorker.com piece capturing the scale and scope of the solar energy revolution:

"The power is there [...] Our local star, which already provides heat and light and photosynthesis, is prepared to offer us all the energy we could ever use"

www.newyorker.com/news/annals-...

11.08.2025 14:06 πŸ‘ 24 πŸ” 5 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 0