Dec 8: 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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1831: James Hoban – Irish Born White House Archtect
On this day, Kilkenny born James Hoban, architect and designer of the White House dies. In the JFK speech to Dail Eireann in 1963, President Kennedy paid tribute to Hoban:
“Features of this stately mansion (Dail Eireann) served to inspire similar features in the White House in Washington………. I know that the White House was designed by James Hoban, a noted Irish-American architect and I have no doubt that he believe by incorporating several features of the Dublin style he would make it more homelike for any President of Irish descent. It was a long wait, but I appreciate his efforts.”
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White House Drawing by Jame Hoban
James Hoban
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1921: Contentious Cabinet Discussion on Treaty
Seven members of Dail Cabinet meet to discuss the Treaty. Minutes of the discussion state that
“(T)he following members declared in favour of recommending it to the Dáil: – A. Griffith, M. Collins, R. Barton, W. Cosgrave, K O’Higgins (no vote).
Mr Griffith would recommend document on basis of its merits – the remaining members on basis of signature.
The following declared against recommending Treaty to Dáil: President DeValera, Cathal Brugha and A. Stack.”
The stage was being set for a vicious Irish Civil War.
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READ FREE eBook: Detailed Correspondence on Treaty from The Royal Irish Academy’s Documents on Irish Foreign Policy series.
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1922: Executions, Corsican Vendetta and the Horror of Civil War
Just one year and two days after Ireland achieved a level of independence, four of the men who fought in the War of Independence against British forces are executed by Irish government edict. It was just one more horrible chapter in a vicious civil war fought between erstwhile friends. The anti-Treaty rebels executed in Mountjoy jail in reprisal for the assassination the previous day of pro-treaty TD Sean Hales were Liam Mellows, Rory O’Connor, Joe McKelvey and Richard Barrett. The men had been in custody for five months and had nothing to do with the killing of Hales. Even among pro-Treaty TDs the executions evoked horror. By any normal standards the four were simple prisoners of war. The government believed (it now seems incorrectly) that the killing of Hales was the start of an execution campaign against government ministers. In a desperate effort to stop such activity, the decision was taken to take vicious reprisal. Accused of vindictiveness by some of the Dail critics, Minister for Justice Kevin O’Higgins reacted with passion. “There was never an act done through personal vengeance, and never an act done through hot blood. We have no higher aim than to place the people of Ireland in the saddle in Ireland, and let them do their will, but we will not acquiesce in gun-bullying, and we will take very stern and drastic measures to stop it. Personal spite, great heavens! Vindictiveness! One of these men was a friend of mine.” Rory O’Connor was best man at O’Higgins’ wedding the previous year!
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READ: In an Irish Independent article, writer and playwright Ulick O’Connor provides interesting perspective on this piece of Irish history.
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De Valera, Kevin O’Higgins and Rory O’Connor at O’Higgin’s wedding
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READ: Dail Debate on Execution of Liam Mellows, Rory O’Connor, Joe McKelvey and Richard Barrett.
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READ: Kevin O’Higgins and Rory O’Connor
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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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