MARIAH TORSNEY

In the streets of Sheffield in the late summer of 1916, there would have been a low, constant rumble. The industrial engine of the British war effort, Sheffield’s massive steelworks…

It’s been a while since my last post—I’ve been deep in a major editing pass on Roseleigh, which has kept me away from the blog. I’m excited to be back…

Francis Sheehy-Skeffington is remembered as one of Ireland’s most prominent and tragic figures in the early 20th century. His life, marked by activism and intellectual pursuits, ended in a brutal…

Dublin’s St. Stephen’s Green, a tranquil park in the city’s center, is renowned today for its gorgeous gardens and bustling footpaths. But during Easter Week of 1916, this serene space…

One of the many aspects of life in early 20th-century England I’ve incorporated into my historical novel Roseleigh is rhyming slang. In fact, I’ve drawn on many dialects of English…

The Easter Rising of 1916 was a pivotal moment in Ireland’s struggle for independence. During this insurrection, rebel forces strategically occupied several key locations across Dublin, including public houses. One…

During World War I, Britain faced the immense challenges of maintaining morale and supporting the war effort on multiple fronts. One of the more creative and socially significant responses to…

The Swastika Laundry, a once-thriving business, remains an interesting footnote in history. The company used an ancient symbol, but the Nazis later co-opted it. They operated out of Dublin, Ireland,…

During World War I, Britain witnessed a cultural phenomenon known as “Khaki Fever.” It was characterized by a surge of romantic and sexual interest between young women and soldiers dressed…

Easter, a cornerstone of the Christian liturgical calendar, holds profound significance for Irish Catholics. Irish Catholics in Ireland deeply value Easter traditions, intertwining religious observances with unique local customs that…