January 23: TODAY IN IRISH HISTORY (published by IrishmanSpeaks)
1900: Kildare born Abraham Boulger who won the Victoria Cross for gallantry in the Indian mutiny 1857 dies. His VC citation reads: “During the period 12 July to 25 September 1857 in Lucknow, India, Lance-Corporal Boulger distinguished himself in all 12 actions fought by his regiment. He was one of the party which stormed the bridge over the canal on the relief of the Residency and shot a gunner who was in the act of firing a 68-pounder in the face of the British troops. He was also the first man to enter a masked battery. In the subsequent defence of the Residency he was severely wounded.”
Lieutenant Colonel Abraham Boulger VC
1923: The Irish government Representative in Washington, Timothy Smiddy wrote to External Affairs minister Desmond Fitzgerald about US concerns re the execution of Anti-Treaty Irregulars, especially the PR fallout if women were to be executed.
“A report given last week to the American papers by Mrs Despard from Paris, (a cutting of which has already been sent to you) stated that, hence forth, women who were found in possession of arms were liable to the death penalty. I enclose another cutting on the same subject.
The women Irregulars here are excited over the announcement and have started activities to incite public opinion against it. Mrs Corliss – a most active Irregular – told Judge Cohalan last Friday over the ‘phone that he would be held as one of those responsible for any execution of women unless he issued at once a statement denouncing such a policy. Naturally, he would do no such thing.
As far as I can gather from conversations with many of our real friends here executions of women – if such be contemplated – would not be good policy from the point of view of sympathy for the Free State in U.S.A.: they would very much deplore it.
In the event of such executions being rendered necessary state as explicitly as possible to the press the real reasons for them. The bare statement ‘in possession of arms’ will give to the Americans a very inadequate impression of the enormity of their deeds.”
1974: CBS Political correspondent, Norah O’Donnell whose maternal grandparents were as she says “off the boat Irish,” is born in Washington, DC.
Norah O'Donnell
Norah O’Donnell has been included in Irish America Magazine’s top 100 Irish-Americans.
1993: The Belfast Cowboy, Van Morrison is inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame along with such luminaries as Cream, The Doors and Etta James. Inducting him, the Band’s Robbie Robertson said “in the tradition of the great Irish poets and the great soul singers, he is the Caruso of rock and roll.” This “Caruso of rock and roll” and magnificent songwriter is also one of the most curmudgeonly live performers in rock and roll history. The satirical Onion newspaper wrote of him “Morrison deserves a spot in the Rock Hall based on his record-breaking streak of 4,256 consecutive shows performed without cracking a smile,” but as the following video shows, few create better music.
Want to learn more about Ireland? See these images and more in the acclaimed For the Love of Being Irish
Your editor is an Accredited Speaker
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 Conor in action that might just get you wondering about his Irish brogue!
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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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