There is no real story of Ireland, only the story of the rise and fall of the largest empire in the history of the world - the British Empire - and Ireland's small part in all that.

A Brief History of Ireland is a book that, at first glance, might appear to be a chronicle of a nation's rise and fall, its struggles and triumphs, and its unique culture and traditions. But, upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that there is no singular story of Ireland to tell. Instead, what we have is a story of conquest and colonisation, resistance and rebellion, identity and displacement. And at the heart of this story is not Ireland itself, but its relationship with the British Empire.

For centuries, Ireland has been shaped by its proximity to its larger neighbour to the east. From the earliest invasions by the Normans in the 12th century, to the Tudor conquests of the 16th century, to the brutalities of the Great Famine in the 19th century, Ireland's history has been marked by the presence and influence of the British Empire.

And yet, despite this overwhelming influence, Ireland has never been a mere footnote in the story of the British Empire. Its struggles for independence, its cultural contributions, its unique identity and voice, have all left indelible marks on the history of the British Isles and beyond. To understand the story of the British Empire, one must understand Ireland's role in it - both as a subjugated nation and as a force for change.

In A Brief History of Ireland, we will explore this complex and nuanced relationship, tracing the highs and lows of Ireland's history from its earliest days to the present. We will examine the impact of British colonialism on Irish society, culture, and politics, and we will delve into the struggles of Irish independence movements, from the United Irishmen to Sinn Fein. We will also explore Ireland's contributions to the world of literature, music, and art, and we will look at how Irish identity has been shaped and transformed by centuries of conflict and displacement.

At the heart of this story is a recognition that there is no singular history of Ireland, but rather a web of interwoven narratives that must be untangled and examined in order to gain a true understanding of this complex and fascinating nation. And, as we will see, these narratives are not just a part of Ireland's past, but continue to shape its present and future.

Gary J. Byrnes: Aviation's Climate Disruptor, Carbon Revolutionary, and the Man Who Dares to Green the Skies

Gary J. Byrnes isn't here to make small talk about sustainability. He's here to rip the bandaid off aviation's biggest problem?carbon?and inject a bold, rebellious, and hemp-fuelled solution straight into the bloodstream of the industry.

As the founder of Tao Climate, Gary is not just another climate advocate throwing jargon at the problem. He's an architect of the future?a relentless innovator hacking the system to prove that aviation doesn't have to be the bad guy in the climate fight. Through cutting-edge AI Space MRV technology, hemp-powered carbon removal, and revolutionary sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), he's crafting a world where planes don't just fly high?they fly clean.

His credentials?

• TEDx Speaker in the Making (because the world needs to hear how hemp can reverse climate change and rebuild war-torn nations).
• Founder of Tao Climate, the fintech startup that's smashing greenwashing with hard science and real-time, traceable carbon removal.
• One of Elon Musk's XPRIZE Carbon Removal Top 100 Innovators, taking on the biggest climate challenge with next-gen tech.
• Author of The Green Age of Aviation, the book that's kicking down the doors of conventional thinking and lighting a fire under the aviation industry.
• Serial disruptor, whether it's shaking up publishing, tech, or the way we measure and verify carbon.

Gary's work at Tao Climate is rewriting the rules of the aviation game. His mission? Turn every airport into a carbon-capturing ecosystem. Make hemp the undisputed MVP of carbon removal. Crush the idea that sustainability is just another expense.

If you want to keep flying without burning the planet, you need to follow Gary J. Byrnes. Because the future of aviation isn't just about new engines or shinier planes?it's about rewriting the entire playbook.

✈️ Find him on LinkedIn, Twitter, or in the nearest airport lounge, plotting aviation's green revolution.