Tag: History

The Fenian Claddagh

19/11/2023.Reading time 2 minutes.

The most notable variation of Irish Claddagh rings is the Fenian Claddagh ring, which is unique from other Claddaghs in that it has no crown. There are two theories put up explaining the first occurrence of the Claddagh Irish ring. First Theory: Margaret Joyce inherited a huge amount of money from her late husband named […]

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The Battle of Cúchulainn and Ferdiad

18/11/2023.Reading time 1 minute.

Ferdiad, was a warrior of Connacht in Irish Mythology. In the Táin Bó Cuailnge (The Brown Bull of Cooley) Ferdia finds himself on opposite sides to his best friend and foster-brother Cúchulainn, with whom he had trained in arms under the renowned warrior woman Scathach. He and Cúchulainn are equal in all martial feats, with […]

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#OTD in Irish History | 18 November:

18/11/2023.Reading time 10 minutes.

1657 – Death of Franciscan friar and historian, Luke Wadding, in Rome. Born in Co Waterford, Wadding founded the Pontifical Irish College for Irish secular clergy in Rome. In 1900, Wadding’s portrait and part of his library were in the Franciscan friary on Merchant’s Quay, Dublin. Through Wadding’s efforts, St Patrick’s Day became a feast […]

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Benwisken ‘The Breaking Wave’ | Co Sligo

17/11/2023.Reading time 2 minutes.

The beautiful and dramatic mountain of Benwisken is a part of the Dartry Mountain range in the ancient kingdom of Carbury in north Sligo, bordering Co Leitrim. The peak of Benwisken blocks the entrance into the Gleniff valley, a huge glacier-formed hollow in the north side of the mountain range with the mysterious Diarmuid and Grainne’s cave in […]

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The Tain Bó Cualigne | The Brown Bull of Cooley

16/11/2023.Reading time 4 minutes.

The story proper begins with Ailill and Medb king and queen of Connacht, who compare their respective wealths and find that the only thing that distinguishes them is Ailill’s possession of the phenomenally fertile white bull called Finnbhennach. He had been born into Medb’s herd of cattle but scorned being owned by a woman and […]

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#OTD in 1688 – Goodwife ‘Goody’ Ann Glover is hanged in Boston, Massachusetts, accused of witchcraft.

16/11/2023.Reading time 3 minutes.

The last woman to be hanged in Boston as a witch was Goodwife ‘Goody’ Ann Glover, an Irish laundress. This North End resident was wildly accused in 1688 of practicing witchcraft by the infamous Reverend Cotton Mather, pastor of the old North Church. Her Puritan accusers were caught up in a witch mania that was […]

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#OTD in 1981 – Death of Bridget ‘Brede’ Connolly who played a pivotal role in the 1916 Rising by dispatching messages for James Connolly in the GPO.

15/11/2023.Reading time 4 minutes.

Born in Friarstown near Killerig, Co Carlow in 1890, her parents were Peter Connolly and Elizabeth Gaynor, the daughter of a nearby farmer in Grange. By 1911, the Connollys were living in Artane, Dublin and, according to local tradition, they may have been evicted from their home and farm in Friarstown. While no trace of […]

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#OTD in Irish History | 15 November:

15/11/2023.Reading time 8 minutes.

1777 – The Articles of Confederation, the first written constitution of the United States was adopted by the Continental Congress. A number of the Congress hailed from Ireland including Secretary of the Congress Charles Thomson who was born in Maghera, Co Derry in 1729. Thomson was the permanent Secretary of the Continental Congress for more […]

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#OTD – In the Liturgical calendar, it is the Feast day of Lorcán Ua Tuathail (St Laurence O’Toole).

14/11/2023.Reading time 3 minutes.

Laurence O’Toole was born at Castledermot, Co Kildare in 1128 and died at Eu, Normandy, France, on 14 November 1180; and canonised in 1225 by Pope Honorius III. Born Lorcán Ua Tuathail, his mother was an O’Byrne and his father Murtagh or Maurice O’Tuathail, a Leinster chieftain of the Murrays – both sides were of princely stock. […]

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