Posts tagged ‘Daniel O’Connell’

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April 13,

Handel’s Messiah. Thomas D’Arcy McGee. Catholic Emancipation on this day in Irish History

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1742: Handel’s Messiah is performed for the first time at Fishamble Street Hall, Dublin. The German born composer performed a number of charity concerts in Dublin, premiering the Messiah one day later than originally planned.

George_Frideric_Handel_

George Frideric Handel 1685-1759

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1825: Thomas D’Arcy McGee is born in Carlingford. Co. Louth. McGee had a major impact on two British colonies – Ireland and Canada.

Thomas D'Arcy McGee

Thomas D’Arcy McGee

Emigrating from Ireland initially to the United States at age 13, he became editor of the Boston Pilot, a Catholic newspaper by age 19. On his return to Ireland in 1845, he joined forces with Irish nationalist opinion, becoming editor of the Nation and supporting the failed Young Ireland Rebellion 1848, following which he had to leave the country for Canada where he had a distinguished career as a journalist, advocate for Catholic rights and eventually was elected to Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada, becoming Minister of agriculture, immigration, and statistics in the 1863 Conservative government. As he got older, his stance on Irish nationalism and Fenianism changed dramatically alienating many elements of the Irish community. Following a speech in Parliament April 7, 1868, he was assassinated near his home allegedly by Fenian Patrick James Whelan. Although executed for the murder, there is some doubt as to Whelan’s guilt.

wanted poster thomas d'arcy mcgee killer

Reward for killer of McGee

1829: The Catholic Relief act after passing through Parliament March 24, finally receives Royal Assent. The act meant that Irish Catholics could take a seat in Parliament. Kerry’s Daniel O’Connell, the “Great Emancipator” was the driving force for this law. O’Connell had been elected MP for Clare forcing the Conservative government and Home Secretary Robert Peel to take action to avoid civil strife.

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1928: Commander James Fitzmaurice (1898-1965) is a member of the crew of the Bremen along with Germans Hermann Koehl and Gunther Freiherr von Hunefeld, which made the first successful Trans-Atlantic East-West flight on 12–13 April 1928. The Bremen took off from Baldonnel Aerodrome on Thursday 12th April 1928 and landed on Greenly Island in Labrador the following day. The previous year ten unsuccessful East-West transatlantic attempts were made including one attempt by Fitzmaurice.

the bremen awaiting take off at Baldonnel

Bremen awaiting take off at Baldonnel

fitzmaurice stamp

Fitzmaurice on Irish stamp

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 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.

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February 17,

IRA Bomb Kills 12 Civilians. Daniel O’Connell. Brenda Fricker

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1846: In the House of Commons, Daniel O’Connell warned about the dangers of famine. “It was certain that there was a fearful prospect of a most calamitous season before the people of Ireland. The extent of that calamity had been disputed, and there had been a time when there was a prospect of some portion of it being possibly averted; but he believed that hope had now quite vanished. The calamity was pressing, was imminent—more pressing, more imminent, and more fearful than that House was aware of. In order to understand it, it was right that the House should be made aware of the state of Ireland before the calamity, had impended.”

The level of poverty in Ireland was evidenced by further comments from O’Connell; “The last Population Returns of 1841 showed that, out of the whole rural population of Ireland, 46 per cent lived in a single room; the entire human family and the pigs occupied the same apartment together. The next fact was, that of the civil population—that is, of the inhabitants of towns—36 per cent lived in a single room, and that two or three families sometimes occupied the same room.”

Daniel O’Connell 1775-1847

1945: Academy award winning actress Brenda Fricker is born in Dublin. Fricker won the 1989 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance as Christy Brown’s mother in My Left Foot.  The movie was a triumph for Irish film making. Daniel Day Lewis won best actor for his portrayal of the disabled Brown while director Jim Sheridan received numerous Best Director nominations at various film festivals.

1978: In one of the worst atrocities of the Northern Ireland conflict, the IRA plants an incendiary device at the La Mon House Hotel near Belfast killing twelve civilians (all Protestants) and seriously injuring more than twenty others. At the time, the IRA had a policy of bombing commercial premises with loyalist / unionist affiliation and in general providing “adequate” warning.  In the La Mon incident, only nine minutes warning was provided  where patrons were enjoying the annual dinner dance of the Irish Collie Club. Gasoline canisters ignited by a small bomb caused an immediate fireball, burning many people beyond recognition. The following day the IRA  “apologized” for the deaths.


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

Irish gift ideas. Best selling Irish books Joyce Image in For the Love of Being Irish

Today in Irish History is edited by Chicago based business keynote speaker, author, award winning humorist and history buff Conor Cunneen – IrishmanSpeaks. As a Chicago based professional speaker, this Irishman’s client base ranges from Harley-Davidson to Helsinki, from Memphis to Madrid as he Energizes, Educates and Entertains his audience to grow their business, people, teamwork and productivity.

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