Irish History, Culture, Heritage, Language, Mythology
988 – The Norse King Glúniairn recognises Máel Sechnaill mac Domnaill, High King of Ireland, and agrees to pay taxes and accept Brehon Law; the event is considered to be the founding of the city of Dublin. 1614 – Arthur Annesley, 1st Earl of Anglesey, politician and author, is born in Dublin. 1794 – Birth […]
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1751 – The foundation stone of the Rotunda Hospital, Dublin, is laid by the Lord Mayor of Dublin. 1790 – The “Gentleman’s Magazine” reports, regarding the MP for Cork, James Bernard who died on this date: ‘Though he had an immense fortune, he did not live at the rate of £300 a year. His tailor’s […]
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In the Liturgical calendar the Feast Day of Saint Kilian, also spelled Killian (or Cillian). He was an Irish missionary bishop and the apostle of Franconia (nowadays the northern part of Bavaria), where he began his labours towards the end of the 7th century. According to Irish sources, Kilian was born in Mullagh, Co Cavan […]
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Fuair sé bás ar son Saoirse na hÉireann. Twas England bade our wild geese go, that ‘small nations might be free’; Their lonely graves are by Suvla’s waves or the fringe of the great North Sea. Oh, had they died by Pearse’s side or fought with Cathal Brugha Their graves we’d keep where the Fenians […]
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Although not a direct participant in the 1916 Rising, Batt O’Connor was sentenced to be shot by British authorities but was sent to Wandsworth Jail and later Frongoch internment camp in North Wales. During the War of Independence he ran a number of safe houses and hid funds and documents for the IRA. He was […]
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1653 – Ireland and Scotland are represented by six and five members respectively in the ‘Barebones’ parliament. It was an assembly entirely nominated by Oliver Cromwell and the Army’s Council of Officers. It acquired its name from the nominee for the City of London, Praise-God Barebone. 1690 – James II flees to France for assistance […]
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‘The Winter Sleep of Captain Lemass’ by Harry Clifton The life of the country Hardened against you Like frost, and a new front Opened—brother against brother, Choice against choice, Disputing the high ground. Your eyes, Blindfolded, beheld the ideal State As the real one steadied itself To annihilate you. How to survive it, the force […]
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1746 – Henry Grattan, Irish statesman, is born in Dublin. 1798 – United Irishmen Rebellion: Remnants of Southern column reach Croghan. 1853 – Birth of painter, Aloysius O’Kelly in Dublin. Aloysius’ brothers, Charles and Stephen, also became artists, whereas the eldest brother, James J. O’Kelly, set forth on a successful political career. In October 1881, […]
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1790 – In an election for Speaker of the Irish parliament, John Foster defeats William Brabazon Ponsonby by 145 votes to 105. 1798 – United Irishmen Rebellion: Rebels defeat small force of Yeomanry at Ballraheen Hill; they move to camp at Croghan. 1798 – United Irishmen Rebellion: Execution of Father John Murphy. 1800 – The […]
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1681 – Despite witnesses against him being discredited, Oliver Plunkett is hanged, drawn and quartered in London. 1690 – Battle of the Boyne: the Jacobite forces (Irish, French, Germans and Walloons) are defeated by the Williamites (Irish, English, Dutch, Germans and Danes). The Williamite victory, being seen as a defeat for Louis XIV, is welcomed […]
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