#OTD in Irish History | 7 May:

07/05/2023.Reading time 12 minutes.

1689 – James II arrives from exile in France and addresses the Irish Parliament. Thanking them for support, applauding their courage and vowing to “venture my life…in defence of your liberties”. Thus begins the events leading up to the Battle of the Boyne. 1689 – James II’s predominantly Catholic Irish parliament which is in session […]

#OTD in Irish History | 6 May:

06/05/2023.Reading time 16 minutes.

1074 – Donatus (or Dunan), the first Bishop of Dublin, dies on this date and is buried in Christ Church Cathedral. Patrick, his successor, is sent to Canterbury for consecration (records are unreliable – the date of his death is also recorded as 23 November). 1384 – Philip de Courtenay lands at Dalkey and campaigns […]

#OTD in 1874 – Birth of sculptor, Jerome Connor, in Annascaul, Co Kerry.

23/02/2023.Reading time 7 minutes.

Jerome Connor was born in Coumduff, Annascaul, Co Kerry. In 1888, he emigrated to Holyoke, Massachusetts. His father was a stonemason, which led to Connor’s jobs in New York as a sign painter, stonecutter, bronze founder and machinist. Inspired by his father’s work and his own experience, Connor used to steal his father’s chisels as a child […]