A formal state ceremony takes place in Cahersiveen today to mark the 250th anniversary of the birth of Daniel O’Connell. The 19th-century Kerry politician, known as The Liberator, led the campaign for Catholic emancipation and is remembered as one of Ireland’s greatest political leaders. Jerry spoke to Professor Maurice Bric, emeritus professor of history at UCD and director of Daniel O’Connell Summer School. Jerry asked him about a charge made by Kerry historian Dr Tim Horgan that O’Connell drove a deep wedge between republican Presbyterians in Ulster and Catholics and used religion as a tool to build a political base.
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