November 6: TODAY IN IRISH HISTORY (published by IrishmanSpeaks)
1649: Death of Eoghan Ruadh O’Neill probably by poisoning. Young Ireland founder Thomas Davis wrote the Lament for Eoghan Ruadh O’Neill.
“Did they dare, did they dare, to slay Eoghan Ruadh O’Neill?”
“Yes, they slew with poison him they feared to meet with steel.”
“May God wither up their hearts! May their blood cease to flow!
May they walk in living death, who poisoned Eoghan Ruadh!”
“Though it break my heart to hear, say again the bitter words.
From Derry, against Cromwell, he marched to measure swords:
But the weapon of the Sacsanach met him on his way,
And he died at Cloch Uachtar,[78] upon St. Leonard’s day.
“Wail, wail ye for the Mighty One! Wail, wail ye for the Dead!
Quench the hearth, and hold the breath–with ashes strew the head.
How tenderly we loved him! How deeply we deplore!
Holy Saviour! but to think we shall never see him more.
“Sagest in the council was he, kindest in the hall!
Sure we never won a battle–’twas Eoghan won them all.
Had he lived–had he lived–our dear country had been free;
But he’s dead, but he’s dead, and ’tis slaves we’ll ever be.
“O’Farrell and Clanrickarde, Preston and Red Hugh,
Audley and MacMahon, ye are valiant, wise, and true;
But–what, what are ye all to our darling who is gone?
The Rudder of our Ship was he, our Castle’s corner stone!
“Wail, wail him through the Island! Weep, weep for our pride!
Would that on the battle-field our gallant chief had died!
Weep the Victor of Beann-bhorbh[79]–weep him, young men and old;
Weep for him, ye women–your Beautiful lies cold!
“We thought you would not die–we were sure you would not go,
And leave us in our utmost need to Cromwell’s cruel blow–
Sheep without a shepherd, when the snow shuts out the sky–
Oh! why did you leave us, Eoghan? Why did you die?
“Soft as woman’s was your voice, O’Neill! bright was your eye,
Oh! why did you leave us, Eoghan? Why did you die?
Your troubles are all over, you’re at rest with God on high,
But we’re slaves, and we’re orphans, Eoghan!–why didst thou die?”
1940: One of Ireland’s greatest ever soccer players, Johnny Giles is born in Dublin.
1996: Bill Clinton is re-elected President. While Clinton does not have Irish heritage, it is quite likely that the Northern Ireland peace process and the Good Friday agreement would never have happened without his cajoling and support. In Ireland, the man is a rock star.
Want to learn more about Ireland? See these images and more in the acclaimed For the Love of Being Irish
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For the Love of Being Irish written by Chicago based Corkman Conor Cunneen and illustrated by Mark Anderson which is an A-Z of all things Irish. This is a book that contains History, Horror, Humor, Passion, Pathos and Lyrical Limericks that will have you giving thanks (or wishing you were) For the Love of Being Irish
Watch For the Love of Being Irish author Conor Cunneen – IrishmanSpeaks on his Youtube channel IrishmanSpeaks. Laugh and Learn. Here Conor was speaking to Harley-Davidson
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This blog is written by Irish author, business keynote speaker and award winning humoristIrishmanSpeaks – Conor Cunneen. Visit Conor’s YouTube channel IrishmanSpeaksto Laugh and Learn. Tags: Best Irish Gift, Creative Irish Gift, Unique Irish Gifts, Irish Books, Irish Authors, Today in Irish History
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