Today In Irish History

May 1: TODAY in Irish History:

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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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WATCH: A Short History of Ireland

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1769: The Duke of Wellington is born in Dublin

Birth of Arthur Wellesley 1st Duke of Wellington in Dublin to to a Protestant Ascendency family.

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Famous for his victory over Napoleon at Waterloo, where it is estimated at least 25% of his troops were Irish, he went on to have a distinguished political career.

In 1828, he became Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, the first Irish born person to do so. Although on record as making disparaging remarks about his birthland, as Prime Minister he steered through the Catholic Emancipation Act of 1829 under pressure from Daniel O’Connell which allowed Catholics (with restrictions) become Members of Parliament.

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Irish artist Daniele Maclise’s portrayal of the Duke of Wellington meeting with German ally Blucher after Waterloo

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READ: Detailed biography of Duke of Wellington

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1854: Percy French – Songwriter, Satirist and Funny Guy

One of Ireland’s foremost songwriters, poets and satirist Percy French is born in County Roscommon.

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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.

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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COME BACK PADDY REILLY TO BALLYJAMESDUFF composed by Percy French

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1887:

Birth of British Army officer General Sir Alan Gordon Cunningham in Dublin. Commissioned in 1906, Cunningham’s long career in the army included fighting in both world wars. During WWII, he fought successful campaigns in East Africa, liberating (then) Ethiopia from Italian forces. Appointed to command the Eight Army in Africa, he was relieved of his command after a relatively short period. Following the war, he became the last High Commissioner of Palestine 91945-1948) prior to the founding of the State of Israel. Cunningham’s elder brother Andrew also had a prominent military career becoming British Admiral of the Fleet during WWII

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1969: Terence O’Neill, Prime Minister of Northern Ireland resigns.

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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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