#OTD in 1823 – Birth of Irish nationalist and American politician, Thomas Francis Meagher, in Waterford.

‘I am here to regret nothing I have already done, to retract nothing I have already said. The history of Ireland explains this crime, and justifies it.’ –Thomas Francis Meager Born the son of Waterford’s mayor, one of the few wealthy Catholic businessmen in town in 1823; Meagher benefited from a quality education (partly in […]

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#OTD in Irish History | 24 July:

In the Liturgical Calendar, the Feast Day of Declán mac Eircc (also Déclán or Declan), Declanus in Latin sources, was an early Irish saint of the Déisi Muman, who was remembered for having converted the Déisi in the late 5th century and for having founded the monastery of Ardmore (Ard Mór) in what is now […]

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#OTD in 1867 – Thomas Francis Meagher, born in Co Waterford, (“Meagher of the Sword”), Young Irelander leader, Irish nationalist and American politician, drowns.

“I now bid farewell to the country of my birth – of my passions – of my death; a country whose misfortunes have invoked my sympathies – whose factions I sought to quell – whose intelligence I prompted to a lofty aim – whose freedom has been my fatal dream.” –Thomas Francis Meagher Born in […]

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#OTD in Irish History | 30 June:

1691 – The Fall of Athlone | Despite the bravery of legendary Sergeant Custume and others, severely outnumbered, the Connacht side of the town fell. The remainder of the Irish garrison retreats to Limerick. 1790 – Birth in Knockfin, Co Laois of Arthur Jacob – noted oculist and Professor of Anatomy in the Royal College […]

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#OTD in Irish History | 10 April:

1346 – Following the death of Ralph de Ufford, Roger Darcy is appointed justiciar. 1650 – Cromwell’s New Model Army is victorious at Macroom, Co Cork. 1662 – A charter of Charles II replaces Cromwell’s charter of Derry. 1726 – Birth of William Brownlow, parliamentarian and Volunteer. 1816 – Birth of Sir Charles Gavan Duffy, […]

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#OTD in 1921 – 18–19 | Burgery Ambush | West Waterford IRA under Pax Whelan, George Lennon and George Plunkett from Dublin HQ, ambushed a convoy of Black and Tans returning to Dungarvan via the Burgery.

‘Comeragh’s Rugged Hills’ (Pat Keating)   It’s long years since I bade farewell For it is my sad fate Our land oppressed by tyrant laws I had to emigrate…   When on my pillow I recline On a foreign land to rest The thoughts of my dear native home Still throbs within my heart When […]

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#OTD in 1937 – The new Constitution of Ireland (Bunreacht na hÉireann) repealed the 1922 Constitution, and came into effect on this date.

The Irish Constitution, accepted by national vote in July became law at midnight. The constitution echoed much of the thinking of Éamon de Valera. Much of the development and drafting of the constitution was done by John J. Hearne, Éamon de Valera’s confidante and advisor. Hearne went on to become first Irish ambassador to the […]

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#OTD in Irish History | 1 October (Deireadh Fómhair):

1600 – Robert Grave, Church of Ireland Bishop of Ferns and Leighlin, and his family drown in Dublin Bay on their way home to Wexford. 1796 – The Royal College of St Patrick, a Catholic seminary, is opened in Maynooth, Co Kildare. 1751 – Cornelius Bolton, politician, Volunteer and improving landlord is born. 1761 – […]

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#OTD in 1823 – Birth of Irish nationalist and American politician, Thomas Francis Meagher, in Waterford.

‘I am here to regret nothing I have already done, to retract nothing I have already said. The history of Ireland explains this crime, and justifies it.’ –Thomas Francis Meager Born the son of Waterford’s mayor, one of the few wealthy Catholic businessmen in town in 1823; Meagher benefited from a quality education (partly in […]

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