Gerard J. Hannan is a Limerick historian, author, journalist and broadcaster whose work is devoted to preserving and sharing the history of Limerick city and county.
He holds a BA in History and Media from Mary Immaculate College, an MBS in International Entrepreneurship Management from the University of Limerick and an MA in TESOL. His academic interests include Irish history, local history, journalism, broadcasting, education and the ways in which ordinary lives are shaped by wider political and social change.
Gerard spent more than twenty years working in journalism and broadcasting in Limerick. During that time, he developed a deep interest in the city’s people, streets, communities and forgotten stories. That experience continues to influence his historical writing, which combines careful research with an accessible narrative style.
He is the founder of Limerick Archives, an independent historical project dedicated to documenting Limerick and Irish life between 1900 and 2000. The archive brings together researched stories, photographs, documentary material and newspaper-style historical reports covering politics, poverty, housing, education, religion, industry, sport, culture, crime, transport and everyday family life.
Gerard is also the author of several books, including Ashes, Gurriers, Scattered, Severance and the Limerick Generations series. His work places Limerick and its people at the centre of the story, recovering voices and experiences that might otherwise be forgotten.
Through Limerick Archives and his published writing, Gerard aims to make local history accessible, engaging and meaningful to readers in Limerick, across Ireland and throughout the world.
