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Ed Whelan

My name is Edward Whelan and I graduated with a PhD in history in 2008. Between 2010-2012 I worked in the Limerick City Archives. I have written a book and several peer reviewed journal articles. At present I am a full-time freelance writer and researcher and live in Gillogue, County Clare.

I am from Limerick in the Republic of Ireland. I have a lifelong love of history and have been fascinated by the subject from an early age. I attended the University of Maynooth 2003-2008 and studied history and classical studies. I obtained a BA from Maynooth and was admitted to the History PhD program. Based on my BA results I was awarded two scholarships and during my post-graduate studies I worked as a tutor.

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Ophiuchus, the 13th zodiac sign, as depicted in Urania’s Mirror, a set of constellation cards published in London c. 1825. Source: Sidney Hall / Public domain

19 July, 2020 - 21:42 Ed Whelan

People Alarmed Over Announcement of 13th Astrological Sign

NASA , the American civilian Space Agency, has moved quickly to tell people not to panic about the announcement of a 13 th zodiac sign , Ophiuchus, which has been causing a panic among those who...

Two Viking re-enactors fighting

19 July, 2020 - 10:12 Ed Whelan

Viking Re-enactor Nearly Kills Partner During Swordplay

A woman has almost been killed by her partner as he was practicing his sword moves in Britain. He is a Viking re-enactor and he accidently stabbed the woman. She was critically injured, in what...

Remarkable Survival of Minerva’s Ancient Shrine Through the Ages

18 July, 2020 - 02:02 Ed Whelan

Remarkable Survival of Minerva’s Ancient Shrine Through the Ages

The Romans were prolific builders and the ruins of their structures are still to be seen throughout their former Empire. Amphitheaters, roads, temples and of course shrines to the gods graced the...

Further research is needed to fully understand and explore the significance of Navan Fort in Northern Ireland. Source: Giuseppe Milo / CC BY 2.0

17 July, 2020 - 01:03 Ed Whelan

Vast Temple Complex Found at Navan Fort in Northern Ireland

Archaeologists in Northern Ireland have uncovered a pagan temple at the important archaeological site at Navan. This was once the capital of Ulster and it has long been associated with Irish myths ...

Painting of foreign delegation found at the tomb of Khnumhotep II. This contains a man described a “Abisha the Hyksos”, one of the earliest known uses of the term Hyksos. Source: Public domain

16 July, 2020 - 22:56 Ed Whelan

Researchers Reveal True Story of Hyksos Dynasty in Ancient Egypt

Researchers have revealed the truth behind the rise of the first “foreign” rulers of Ancient Egypt . It was long held that the Hyksos, the first non-native dynasty to rule Egypt, were invaders. A...

Inner view of Rani ki vav, stepwell on the banks of Saraswati River. Memorial to an 11th century AD king Bhimdev I, Patan, Gujarat, India. Source: RealityImages / Adobe Stock

16 July, 2020 - 01:55 Ed Whelan

Rani Ki Vav, The Inverted Temple That Lay Buried for Centuries

One of the most distinctive examples of Indian architecture is Rani ki vav, a remarkable stepwell. Astounding subterranean structures were designed to store and supply water to arid parts of India...

Exposed shell midden on the Pike River cliff line near the Riverland region Aborigines’ project site. Source: Flinders University

15 July, 2020 - 22:48 Ed Whelan

Study Shows Riverland Region Aborigines Were Thriving 29000 Years Ago

Researchers have established that Riverland region Aborigines lived in South Australia much earlier than previously thought. They determined that Riverland region Aborigines lived in the area an...

Sunset view of the Roman Amphitheater in Chester, England Source: Adrian / Adobe Stock

15 July, 2020 - 01:44 Ed Whelan

The Large Amphitheater of Chester and Rome’s Fruitless Expansion Plan

The arenas built by the Romans are without a doubt their most notorious monuments. They were the scene of public executions, where combats between criminals, prisoners of war and slaves were held,...

Aztec Palace Complex and Later Cortes Home Unearthed in Mexico City

14 July, 2020 - 18:49 Ed Whelan

Aztec Palace Complex and Later Cortes Home Unearthed in Mexico City

Archaeologists have unearthed an Aztec palace complex in the heart of Mexico City . The recently unearthed palace complex in the capital of Mexico was built for an Aztec emperor but was also...

Archaeologists at work at one of the 8 digs at the Piraeus Port aqueduct discovery area.

14 July, 2020 - 13:51 Ed Whelan

Ancient Greek Piraeus Port Aqueduct, Wells, and 4000 Artifacts Found

Archaeologists excavating in Greece have uncovered a historic Piraeus port aqueduct and wells that date back over 2000 years, and about 4000 objects, many of them wooden, have been unearthed as part...

Istanbul’s world-famous Hagia Sophia museum to become a fulltime mosque in July 2020 Source: romas_ph/Adobe Stock

13 July, 2020 - 22:57 Ed Whelan

Hagia Sophia Museum to Become a Mosque Again Says Turkish Government

The government of Turkey has announced that the world-famous Hagia Sophia museum in Istanbul will be turned back into a mosque . This former cathedral and mosque is widely considered to be one of the...

Main: Camels fighting. Credit: fraenzken / Adobe Stock. Inset: Camel etchings show fighting camels which could represent the mating season. Credit: Yuri Esin

12 July, 2020 - 18:42 Ed Whelan

Stone Age Etchings of Camel Fight Found on Siberian Mammoth Tusk

Ancient engravings etched onto a 13,000-year-old mammoth tusk have been examined and are believed to include the oldest known images of camels in Asia. Several ancient camel etchings on the tusk, one...

People have vandalized a Welsh ring cairn by using it as a motorbike circuit. Source: AA+W / Adobe Stock

11 July, 2020 - 18:56 Ed Whelan

Irresponsible Bikers Use 3,000-Year-OId Ring Cairn as Motorbike Circuit

Scrambler motorbikes are a popular pastime in many countries, including Britain. However, a group of irresponsible scramblers have been using a 3000-year-old Welsh ring cairn as a motorbike circuit...

Entrance to the Arvalem Caves Source: Zeepak / CC BY-NC 2.0

11 July, 2020 - 01:57 Ed Whelan

The Sacred Yet Mysterious Arvalem Caves in Beautiful Goa

Goa is widely regarded as one of the most idyllic places to visit in all of India, if not Asia. Yet there is far more to this southwestern state than its beautiful beaches. Like the rest of India, it...

The Pope’s seal found in Shropshire, England, (British Museum’s Portable Antiquities Scheme) belonged to Pope Innocent IV. (Public Domain)

10 July, 2020 - 14:02 Ed Whelan

Warrior Pope’s Seal is 1.5 Millionth Archaeological Find in Britain!

A metal detectorist has unearthed the 1.5 millionth archaeological artifact to be found by the public in Britain under a government-backed scheme. This item is one of great historic interest. It is a...

The sacred Whiteleaved Oak near Ledbury has been destroyed by fire. Source: Ledbury Fire Station / Hereford Times

9 July, 2020 - 18:40 Ed Whelan

Famous Sacred Historic Oak Destroyed by Fire in the UK

In England a sacred historic oak has been reduced to a burnt stump after it was engulfed by fire. This tree was a local landmark and it was venerated by people from all over the world. This sacred...

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