The Kilnasaggart Pillar Stone

23/06/2021.Reading time 2 minutes.

The Kilnasaggart Pillar Stone in Co Armagh is one of the oldest known inscribed stones in Ireland. Kilnasaggart stone stands in a field not far from Kilnasaggart Bridge. It is a tall pillar stone, 2 metres high, and inscribed with some Ogham script, crosses, most within circles, and a Gaelic inscription. The pillar-stone is said […]

#OTD in Irish History | 19 May:

19/05/2021.Reading time 11 minutes.

1660 – An Act by the British Parliament forbids the export of Irish wool. 1710 – John Forster is unanimously elected Speaker of the House of Commons, replacing Alan Brodrick. 1769 – Just ten years after Guinness is first brewed in St. James Gate, Dublin, the beautiful magic brew is first exported from Ireland. Six […]

The Legend of Cú Chulainn

30/03/2021.Reading time 34 minutes.

There are a number of versions of the story of Cú Chulainn’s birth. In the earliest version of Compert C(h)on Culainn (The Conception of Cú Chulainn), his mother Deichtine is the daughter and charioteer of Conchobar mac Nessa, king of Ulster, and accompanies him as he and the nobles of Ulster hunt a flock of […]

#OTD in 1898 – Birth of revolutionary and politician, Frank Aiken, in Co Armagh.

13/02/2021.Reading time 1 minute.

‘Neutrality is not like a simple mathematical formula which has only to be announced and demonstrated in order to be believed and respected. It has in fact always been one of the difficult problems …. Instead of earning the respect and goodwill of both belligerents it is regarded by both with hatred and contempt.’ –Frank […]

‘Winter’ by Tommy Makem

22/12/2020.Reading time less than 1 minute.

WINTER, a sharp bitter day the robin turns plump against the cold the sun is weak silver faded from gold he is late in his coming and short in his stay Man, beast, bird and air all purging, all cleansing, earth already purified awaits the rite of spring Her bridal gown a virgin snow and […]

#OTD in 1919 – Birth of Máire Drumm in Newry, Co Down.

22/11/2020.Reading time 1 minute.

‘The only people worthy of freedom are those who are prepared to go out and fight for it every day, and die if necessary.’ –Máire Drumm Máire Drumm was the vice president of Sinn Féin and a commander in Cumann na mBan. She was killed by Ulster loyalists while recovering from an eye operation in […]

#OTD in 1932 – Birth of internationally celebrated Irish folk musician, artist, poet and storyteller, Tommy Makem, in Co Armagh.

04/11/2020.Reading time 2 minutes.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam. Tommy Makem was an internationally celebrated Irish folk musician, artist, poet and storyteller. He was best known as a member of The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem. He played the long-necked 5-string banjo, guitar, tin whistle, and bagpipes, and sang in a distinctive baritone. He was known as […]

#OTD in 1976 – Vice president of Sinn Féin and commander of Cumann na mBan, Máire Drumm, was assassinated by loyalists while recovering in Mater Hospital, Crumlin Road, Belfast.

28/10/2020.Reading time 1 minute.

#OTD in 1641 – Rory O’More, Lord Maguire and Sir Pheilim O’Neill initiate a major revolt in Armagh.

22/10/2020.Reading time 9 minutes.

The Irish Uprising of 1641 was a long-term result of the “plantation” policy of Tudor and Stuart monarchs under which Ireland was aggressively colonised by Protestant settlers from England and Scotland. From the mid-16th century, Irish landowners were dispossessed to make way for the settlers and a vicious cycle developed whereby rebellion against the English […]

#OTD in 1900 – Birth of Irish traditional singer, Sarah Makem, in Keady, Co Armagh.

18/10/2020.Reading time 2 minutes.

Sarah Makem, a native of Keady, Co Armagh, was a traditional Irish singer. She was the wife of fiddler Peter Makem, mother of musicians Tommy Makem and Jack Makem, and grandmother of musicians Shane Makem, Conor Makem and Rory Makem. Sarah Makem and her cousin, Annie Jane Kelly, were members of the Singing Greenes of […]

Stair na hÉireann | History of Ireland

Tag: Co. Armagh

The Kilnasaggart Pillar Stone

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#OTD in Irish History | 19 May:

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The Legend of Cú Chulainn

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#OTD in 1898 – Birth of revolutionary and politician, Frank Aiken, in Co Armagh.

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‘Winter’ by Tommy Makem

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#OTD in 1919 – Birth of Máire Drumm in Newry, Co Down.

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#OTD in 1932 – Birth of internationally celebrated Irish folk musician, artist, poet and storyteller, Tommy Makem, in Co Armagh.

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#OTD in 1976 – Vice president of Sinn Féin and commander of Cumann na mBan, Máire Drumm, was assassinated by loyalists while recovering in Mater Hospital, Crumlin Road, Belfast.

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#OTD in 1641 – Rory O’More, Lord Maguire and Sir Pheilim O’Neill initiate a major revolt in Armagh.

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#OTD in 1900 – Birth of Irish traditional singer, Sarah Makem, in Keady, Co Armagh.

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