Archive for ‘Irish War of Independence’

August 12,

Death of Arthur Griffith. Knights of Columbanus Founder. General Sir Hubert de la Poer Gough on this day in Irish History

August 12: TODAY in Irish History:

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Today in Irish History: Curated by Conor Cunneen IrishmanSpeaks

Chicago Motivational Humorous Business Speaker, Author and History buff.

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For the Love of Being Irish

BUY Author signed copy of For the Love of Being Irish For a unique perspective on Ireland featuring History and Humor.

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August 12: TODAY in Irish History:

1852: Birth of Knights of Columbus founder Father Michael McGivney to Irish immigrants Patrick and Mary (Lynch) McGivney in Waterbury Conn.

Father_McGivney Knights of Columbanus at today in Irish history

Father Michael McGivney 1852-1890

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1870: General Sir Hubert de la Poer Gough, GCB, GCMG, KCVO is born in Gurteen Co Waterford, the the eldest son of Victoria Cross winner General Sir Charles J.S. Gough.

Gough began his military career with the 16th Lancers. His activity during the Boer War especially his involvement in the relief of Ladysmith ensured a high profile in military circles. He was based in Ireland in 1914 and was one of the officers involved in the Curragh mutiny. A number of officers made it known, they would refuse government orders to suppress the Ulster Volunteer Force.

Sir Hubert de la Poer Gough

Sir Hubert de la Poer Gough 1870-1963

Gough commanded the British Fifth Army in World War I between 1916-18 with mixed results, eventually being removed from his command. The History of War suggests that Gough was a capable officer, but promoted beyond his limits. He retired in 1922, but returned to service for a short period at the start of WWII.

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1872: Death from a heart attack of Arthur Griffith one of the most important players in Irish Independence. Griffith founded Sinn Féin in 1905 as an Irish nationalist party whose objective was “to establish in Ireland’s capital a national legislature endowed with the moral authority of the Irish nation”.

It was not until after the 1916 Rising that Sinn Féin became a major force in Irish politics winning a landslide majority of Irish seats in the 1918 General Election. Refusing to take their seats in the House of Commons, the party held the first Dail on January 21, 1919, proclaiming itself the rightful parliament of an Irish Republic. During the vicious War of Independence and in the absence of De Valera in America, Griffith served as Acting President (sometimes in Jail.) Griffith led the Irish truce negotiations in London accompanied by Michael Collins signing the Treaty in December 1921. Acrimonious debates in Dail Eireann let to a walkout by De Valera and anti-Treatyites.

Michael Collins and Arthur Griffith

Michael Collins and Arthur Griffith

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Want to learn more about Ireland? See these images and more in the acclaimed For the Love of Being Irish

Irish gift ideas. Best selling Irish booksRonnie Drew and Luke Kelly - Musical Irish Gifts to the worldJoyce Image in For the Love of Being IrishMichael Collins: Image from For the Love of Being Irish

BUY Quality Quality Guinness and Ireland Rugby Shirts
Guinness Rugby Shirts - Brilliant!Rugby Shirt - Ireland


For the Love of Being Irish written by Chicago based Corkman Conor Cunneen and illustrated by Mark Anderson 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.

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)



July 26,

Mick Mannock WWI Air Ace. Danny La Rue. Howth Gun Running. Today in Irish History

July 26: TODAY in Irish History:

_______________________________________________________________________

Today in Irish History: Curated by Conor Cunneen IrishmanSpeaks

Chicago Motivational Humorous Business Speaker, Author and History buff.

__________________________________________________________________________

For the Love of Being Irish

BUY Author signed copy of For the Love of Being Irish For a unique perspective on Ireland featuring History and Humor.

————————————————————————————————————————————–

July 26: TODAY in Irish History:

1914: Irish Citizen Army members led by Countess Markievicz bring guns into Howth Harbour aboard the Asgard, in what some saw as purely a publicity stunt to rival a much heralded arms importation by the Ulster Volunteer Force. A much larger consignment was smuggled into Ireland the following month in the Wicklow area. The Howth gun running exercise developed into a level of tragic farce. British forces confiscated a limited number of guns which astonishingly were later returned because they had been confiscated illegally. Tragedy occurred when the British troops returning to barracks opened fire on a hostile crowd killing three civilians in Bachelor’s Walk, Dublin.

Countess_Markiewicz

Howth gun runner Countess_Markievicz

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1918: World War I Air Ace Edward “Mick” Mannock is killed when his plane is brought down by enemy fire. The Ballincollig, Co. Cork born pilot was probably the highest scoring British air ace of the war with 61 confirmed “kills” and some sources suggesting he brought down 73 German planes.

Mannock did not join the Royal Flying Corp (later RAF) until 1917. He was a conflicted character who although almost blind in one eye managed to pass an eye test! His early days in aviation were difficult even initially it seems, being tainted with cowardice by his colleagues, a perception he soon laid to rest as he developed fierce anti-German feelings. “I wish Kaiser Bill could have seen him sizzle.” Mannock was a gifted pilot and teacher who probably was suffering from severe combat stress during the latter months of his life.

Mannock won the Military Cross twice, three Distinguished Service Orders, and posthumously the Victoria Cross.

See AcePilots

Excellent article at History.net

See also: King of Airfighters: The Biography of Major “Mick” Mannock, VC, DSO MC by Ira Jones

Edward "Mick" Mannock

Edward “Mick” Mannock 1887-1918

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1927: Entertainer Danny La Rue is born Daniel Patrick Carroll in Cork. La Rue would become one of the biggest stars of British stage and TV, performing in drag mimicking almost every high profile female star and politician of the day including Margaret Thatcher, Elizabeth Taylor and Joan Collins. He died in 2009.

His accolades included: OBE, Royal Variety Performance appearances, Variety Club of Great Britain Showbiz Personality of the Year (1969), Theatre Personality of the Year (1970), Entertainer of the Decade (1979).

See Danny La Rue obituary.

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Want to learn more about Ireland? See these images and more in the acclaimed For the Love of Being Irish

Irish gift ideas. Best selling Irish booksRonnie Drew and Luke Kelly - Musical Irish Gifts to the worldJoyce Image in For the Love of Being IrishMichael Collins: Image from For the Love of Being Irish

BUY Quality Quality Guinness and Ireland Rugby Shirts
Guinness Rugby Shirts - Brilliant!Rugby Shirt - Ireland


For the Love of Being Irish written by Chicago based Corkman Conor Cunneen and illustrated by Mark Anderson 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.

___________________________________

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.

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)