Today In Irish History

February 19: TODAY in Irish History:

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Brigadier General Patrick Moore

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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1883: County Galway born Confederate General Patrick Theodore Moore Dies

Moore, whose father was a British diplomat was born in Galway in 1821. The family emmigrated to Canada when he was fifteen and he eventually settled in Virginia. At the outset of the Civil War, he was a captain in the Virginia State Militia and was appointed Colonel in August 1861. Injuries sustained at the First Battle of Bull run prevented him from engaging in any further frontline action, but he did serve as aied-de-camp for Longstreet in a number of campaigns eventually rising to Brigadier General. Surviving the war, he returned to Virginia where he opened an insurance business.

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1887: International Soccer Victory for Ireland

Ireland wins its first ever game in international soccer beating Wales 4-1 in Belfast. Prior to 1921 and the partition of the country, Ireland was represented by one national team.

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1904: Author Muiris Ó Súilleabháin (Morris O’Sullivan)

M O’Suilleabhain  1904-1950

Birth of Irish author Muiris Ó Súilleabháin whose memoir  Fiche Bliain ag Fás (Twenty Years a ‘Growing) tells of his youth while growing up on the  Great Blasket Island ( a tiny windswept isle of the coast of Kerry.)

Amazon references a number of reviews including:

O’Sullivan here tells the story of his growing up in Great Blasket, a sparse island off Ireland’s Atlantic coast with a Gaelic-speaking population. Along with an introduction by E.M. Forster from the original 1933 printing, this edition contains new photos and illustrations by the author. (Library Journal )

It is a summer island of romantic beauty that he shows us, dwelling always on the colour of the scenery and the bright, wild life… (London Times Literary Supplement )

This natural and beautiful book brings a breath of sea air and a strange music….It is as alive and sparkling as the sea on a summer morning. (The Observer )

A book to buy, to beg, or to borrow. To miss it is to miss something which will leave your adventuring among books incomplete. (Irish Independent )

You cannot possibly fail to enjoy this book, the only book I have ever reviewed which simply had to be praised without reservation… (The Listener )

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READ: More about Muiris Ó Súilleabháin

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1942: Phil Coulter is born in Derry.

Coulter is one of Ireland’s most successful composers and arrangers. He first came to international fame when he wrote a Eurovision song entry for English singer Sandy Shaw – Puppet on a String. He also wrote another very popular Euro entry – Congratulations – Cliff Richards. Other artists who benefitted from his songwriting expertise, often in association with Bill Martin included The Bay City Rollers and Cilla Black.

His most evocative and personal song may be a song written about his first son who has Downs Syndrome – Scorn Not His Simplicity. Luke Kelly of the Dubliners made this song his own.

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Wikipedia outlines his haul of awards including 23 platinum discs, 39 gold discs, 52 silver discs, two Grand Prix Eurovision awards; five Ivor Novello Awards, which includes Songwriter of the Year; three American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers awards; a Grammy Nomination; a Meteor Award, a National Entertainment Award and a Rose d’or d’Antibes

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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.

Tags: Best Irish Gift, Creative Irish Gift, Unique Irish Gifts, Irish Books, Irish Authors, Today in Irish History TODAY IN IRISH HISTORY (published by IrishmanSpeaks)