Today In Irish History

October 3: TODAY in Irish History:

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Curated by Conor Cunneen IrishmanSpeaks Chicago Motivational Humorous Business Speaker, Author and History buff.

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1691: Treaty of Limerick

Treaty of Limerick is  signed ending the Williamite war between the Jacobites and the supporters of William of Orange.

Treaty of Limerick allegedly signed on this Treaty Stone.

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1971: Death of Sean O’Riada

A true Irish Gift to the world, Sean O’Riada leaves the world at the terribly young age of 40. This gifted genius suffered from the course of many Irish artists – Alcoholism.

One of Ireland’s finest composers and a major influence on traditional Irish music, Sean O Riada (John Reidy) was born in Cork in 1931. O’Riada’s love of music came from parents who were both competent traditional fiddlers.

“My father had a wonderful store of music. I remember him telling me that he would walk seven miles, and do a day’s work, to learn a tune.”

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Sean O Riada 1931-1971

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After travelling in Europe for a number of years, O Riada became musical director of Dublin’s famed Abbey Theatre for a number of years. His most famous composition is probably the score for the move Mise Éire (I am Ireland). O Riada started a traditional Irish “band” roup called Ceoltóirí Chualann whch morphed into the Chieftains following his death.

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1981: IRA Hunger Strike Called Off

IRA hunger strike called off at Maze prison. 10 IRA members died during the hunger strikes. While the IRA did not win immediate concessions, in some ways it was a Pyrrhic victory for Margaret Thatcher’s government. It galvanized support and membership for the IRA and generated huge sympathy for the strikers in the United States where fund-raising was a major priority. The death of the first hunger striker Bobby Sands created a martyr and an iconic figure in Republican folklore. Yet as Guardian journalist Roy Greenslade was to write thirty years later “the government gave in to every demand: prisoners wore their own clothes within two weeks, prison work was eventually dropped, the men were allowed to associate freely, and they were given educational facilities.”

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Bobby Sands mural, Falls Road Belfast

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READ: IRA Hunger Strike by Guardian journalist Roy Greenslade.

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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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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)