Today In Irish History

October 2: 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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1939: State of Emergency Declared

With the onset of World War II, the government of Eamonn De Valera passes the Emergency  Powers Act 1939. The act gave the government wide sweeping security powers as it endeavored (successfully) to maintain Irish neutrality during what is euphemistically called “The Emergency.”  In 1940, Irish Government would extend its wartime power with the introduction of the Emergency Powers (Amendment) Act providing authority for Irish born citizens to be interned. The device was designed to intern IRA activists who were involved in activity on both sides of the border. Some of those interned under this legislation would have fought with De Valera twenty years previously.

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1942: Queen Mary Sinks Its Escort Ship off Donegal Coast

Twenty miles off the coast of Donegal, the luxury Cunard liner Queen Mary – converted into a troop carrier for the war smashes into her escort ship, the British cruiser Curaçao. The Curacao which had connected with the Queen Mary to escort her for the final two hundred miles to the port of Greenock, Scotland sinks with the loss of 338 men. As were his orders, Captain Cyril of the Queen Mary which was carrying an estimated 15,000 US troops does not stop to mount a rescue operation!

READ: Blog on sinking of the Curacao off the coast of Donegal.

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2009: Irish Voters Approve Treaty of Lisbon.

Irish voters endorsed the Treaty of Lisbon by 67%  to 33% only 16 months after initial rejection. The treaty was designed to streamline decision making in the European Union. Following the vote, Taoiseach Brian Cowen welcomed the result:

“The Irish people have spoken with a clear and resounding voice,” Mr Cowen said in a brief statement to reporters. “It is a good day for Ireland and a good day for Europe. The Irish people showed an Ireland embracing her future with Europe.” 

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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)

October 1: 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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1908: Henry Ford launches the Model T Ford

The Model T would go onto sell more than 15 million units. Henry Ford’s father William Ford was born in County Cork and was one of many to emigrate from Ireland due to poverty and famine. Ford visited Ireland in 1912, 65 years after his dad had emigrated and again in 1917 when he established the Ford plant in Cork city.
Ford did not forget his Irish roots. He named his Dearborn home Fair Lane after the area of Cork where his maternal grandfather came from. The Ford plant in Cork would finally close in 1984.

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Henry Ford 1863-1947

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READ: Ford’s Irish connections

READ: Lee Iacocca article on Henry Ford at Time

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1930: Actor Richard Harris

Actor Richard Harris is born in Limerick. In addition to appearing in numerous films, Harris was also a one hit wonder with the song McArthur Park.

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1975: Muhammad Ali defeats Joe Frazier. Ali’s Irish Roots.

Muhammad Ali defeats Joe Frazier in the third and most brutal bout between two great boxers. What’s this doing in Today in Irish History? Well, good old Muhammad had Irish roots as you will in this video clip.
The great fighter had Irish origins and visited Ennis, Co. Clare – his ancestral home – in 2009. Ali twice fought and defeated “Irish” Jerry Quarry in the early 70’s.

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