January 24: TODAY in Irish History:
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Percy French
Snippets of Irish History by Conor Cunneen IrishmanSpeaks 
Conor is a Chicago based Motivational Humorous Business Speaker, Author and History buff.
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1920: Death of Percy French.
In both writing and looks, French bore a striking resemblance to Mark Twain. French was one of Ireland’s foremost songwriters and entertainers whose popularity was based on what might today be called “middle of the road” music and some wonderful comic lyrics. He is to Irish music what Mark Twain is to American literature – humorous, insightful and usually leaving you with a smile, maybe the Jimmy Buffet of his time! This YouTube recording of Brendan O’Dowda singing Are You Right There Michael, Are You Right? like much of his work will surely put you in good humor.
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Percy French was also an accomplished painter painting many aspects of the Irish landscape.
In Old Donegal by Percy French
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For more of Percy French’s work, See Brendan O’Dowda sing Phil the Fluter’s Ball .
Roscommon hosts an annual Percy French Summer School.
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1921:Catholic Church Condemns IRA Attacks
While the War of Indepence was supported (actively or passively) by the majority of Irish, the Catholic church railed against the violence. A letter from the Archbishop of Tuam, Dr. Thomas P Gilmartin is read at masses, following an ambush on English forces near Kilroe, County Galway. “The misguided criminals who fired a few shots from behind a wall ….. have broken the truce of God, they have incurred the guilt of murder… and then having fired their few cowardly shots, they beat a hasty retreat, leaving the unprotected and innocent people at the mercy of uniformed forces.”
Archbishop Gilmartin of Tuam
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2005: Former Justice Minister Ray Burke Jailed
Former Justice Minister Ray Burke
Former Fianna Fáil Minister Ray Burke is jailed for six months for tax evasion. Prosecuting authorities found that Burke had failed to fully declare his income over a nine year period.
Burke was a long time ally and close neighbor of the crooked Charlie Haughey and held many senior ministerial positions between 1977 and 1997. He variously was Minister for the Environment, Minister for Energy, Minister for Industry and Commerce and Minister for Justice. Burke was one of a number of Fianna Fáil politicians (most blatantly Haughey) who mysteriously developed substantial wealth during their tenure in power. In 1997, Burke was at the centre of allegations that he had received a IR£80,000 payment from a property developer. Although he denied the allegation, he resigned from the cabinet and the Dáil just four months after he was appointed Minister for Foreign Affairs. In 2002, the Mahon Tribunal found that Burke had received illegal payments to award a radio licence to Century Radio.
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Want to learn more about Ireland? See these images and more in the acclaimed For the Love of Being Irish
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This history is written by Irish author, business keynote speaker and award winning humorist IrishmanSpeaks – Conor Cunneen. If you spot any inaccuracies or wish to make a comment, please don’t hesitate to contact us via the comment button.
Visit Conor’s YouTube channel IrishmanSpeaks to Laugh and Learn.
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Today In Irish History 
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