January 28: TODAY in Irish History (by IrishmanSpeaks) 
1807: Sir Robert John Le Mesurier McClure, arctic explorer is born in Wexford. In 1850 he was commander of Investigator in Arctic expedition via the Bering Strait. He is credited as being the first to navigate the famed Northwest Passage, the sea route that connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, which is frozen for most of the year.
Photograph of Sir Robert McClure presented to Queen Victoria in 1854
1939: William Butler Yeats left this world on this day at the age of 73.
william butler yeats 1865-1939
Yeats was born in Dublin, the son of painter John Butler Yeats, he spent much of his childhood in County Sligo which was a huge source of inspiration for him, not least the beautiful Lake Isle of Inisfree. YouTube has the following radio recording of Yeats presenting this great poem and explaining how he came up with idea for Inisfree.
Yeats was a major player in the Celtic Revival which endevored (successfully) to raise awareness of the culture of Ireland, much of which had been decimated by English rule. His personal and political life was as interesting as his poetry. The love of his life Irish revolutionary Maud Gonne, rebuked his marriage proposals on a number of occasions although they were lovers.
Yeats is buried in Drumcliff, County Sligo.
2007:At a [arty Ard-Fheis (general meeting) in Dublin, Sinn Fein members vote to support the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) for the first time in the party’s history. Speaking after the vote, Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams described the vote correctly as “truly historic.”
Want to learn more about Ireland? See these images and more in the acclaimed For the Love of Being Irish
Editor of Today in Irish History, Conor Cunneen is just the 63rd person in the history of Toastmasters International to be awarded Accredited Speaker designation. Here is a clip of Conor in action that might just get you laughing as we move into the New Year.
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For the Love of Being Irish written by Chicago based Corkman Conor Cunneen and illustrated by Mark Anderson which 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 IrishmanSpeaksto Laugh and Learn. Tags: Best Irish Gift, Creative Irish Gift, Unique Irish Gifts, Irish Books, Irish Authors, Today in Irish History
