January 15: TODAY IN IRISH HISTORY (published by IrishmanSpeaks)
1754: Colonel Richard Martin is born in Galway. Martin was a politician and animal rights activist who introduced the first animal cruelty legislation in the UK and in 1824 was one of the founders of what went on to become the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
1800: Henry Grattan makes an impassioned plea in the Irish House of Commons against the Act of Union which was to see the dissolution of the Irish parliament and direct rule by England for the following 122 years.
Irish House of Commons in session
1861: Death of Young Irelander Terence Bellew MacManus. Bellew was sentenced to death Oct 9th, 1848 for treason following the misbegotten Young Ireland Rebellion of 1848. This was commuted in 1849 and he was transported to Van Diemen’s Land (Tasmania) in Australia. He escaped in 1852 and fled to the United States.
Terence Bellew McManus
Terence Bellew McManus was one of a number of Irish rebels who were deported following the 1848 Young Ireland Rebellion. It was a very small scale poorly organized uprising which took place on 29 July 1848 in the village of Ballingarry, County Tipperary. McManus apparently never acclimated to life in exile in the United States and he died in poverty. His remains were returned to Ireland to a hero’s reception.
1920: Proportional Representation(PR) is used in Ireland for the first time in the local elections of 1920. PR differs from the widely used first past the post voting system in that it the general electorates vote is reasonably accurately represented in parliament and encouraged participation. In the 1921Northern Ireland general elections, not one candidate was returned unopposed. However, after Northern Ireland reverted to first past the post system, numerous seats were gained without a fight. In the 1933 general election, fought under the British system, only 19 of 52 seats were contested. Gerrymandered voting districts plus first past the post saw Unionists gain 36 of 52 seats in the election. this can be contrasted with the 1920 local elections when Sinn Fein won control of 10 of 12 urban councils. For further details on PR in Ireland.
Want to learn more about Ireland? See these images and more in the acclaimed For the Love of Being Irish
Editor of Today in Irish History, Conor Cunneen is just the 63rd person in the history of Toastmasters International to be awarded Accredited Speaker designation. As a Chicago based professional speaker, this Irishman’s client base ranges from Harley-Davidson to Helsinki, from Memphis to Madrid as he Energizes, Educates and Entertains his audience to grow their business, people, teamwork and productivity. Here is a clip of Accredited Speaker Conor speaking on how your Behavior Creates Your Brand.
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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.
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This history is written by Irish author, business keynote speaker and award winning humoristIrishmanSpeaks – Conor Cunneen. If you spot any inaccuracies or wish to make a comment, please don’t hesitate to contact us via the comment button.
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Today In Irish History 