Online Lives: Meet historian, April Fitzpatrick

A grandfather's love of the past is what led April Fitzpatrick to set up a Facebook page to promote Irish history and heritage.

“My grandfather Hughie was the person who sowed the seeds of my interest in history.

“He was the type of granddad that would answer every curious question, explain every detail to inquisitive little ears. He would tell us stories of growing up in old Ireland and even brought us to see the cottage in Cavan his grandparents built, which he and his seven siblings were born and raised in.

“Years later, I am now a mother to an intelligent eight-year-old boy myself and I revel in his curiosity for life and want to pass on that same love of history that was gifted to me as a child.”

April says most people don’t realise how interesting history is.

“I know, to others, that history may seem uninteresting, at first, but once the surface has been scratched, the stories and facts that reveal themselves are captivating. Battles, plots, lies, love and marriage, sex and scandal, crime, politics, executions.

I strive to enlighten people to our rich past. I want to illustrate this colourful history in a modern way that maintains attention, with the hope to instill the same curiosity and enthusiasm that began my love for the subject

She wants to make history more accessible to the public. “History has always been interesting and we live in a country that is steeped in it at every turn. I want to break down the general consensus that sees history viewed as a purely academic subject, only to be enjoyed and studied by university students and historians.

“I aim to highlight our history, culture, and heritage in a welcoming and accessible manner for the general public.”

Engaging with others on a topic she loves has been one of April’s highlights.

“Through my time running this page, I have met so many clever and passionate, like-minded people online, eager to learn, converse and even impart their own knowledge, which is nice, when you feel like your own friends and family are sick of listening to you talk about history again.”

The ‘Antiquarian April’ page is just the start.

“My aspiration is to build a career centred around the promotion of history and heritage in all its forms. Hopefully, one day, I will be publishing my own books or possibly even presenting my own documentaries. Wouldn’t that be a dream?

“For me, this page is the perfect starting block.”