Today In Irish History

February 7: TODAY in Irish History:

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Snippets of Irish History by Conor Cunneen IrishmanSpeaks 

Conor is a Chicago based Motivational Humorous Business Speaker, Author and History buff.

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WATCH: A Short History of Ireland

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1865: County Mayo Born Double Medal of Honor Recipient

Double Medal of Honor recipient John King is born in Ballinrobe, County Mayo.

King is one of only 19 people to receive the award twice. His first citation for actions in 1901 reads:

“Rank and organization: Watertender, U.S. Navy. Born: 7 February 1865, Ireland. Accredited to: New York. G.O. No.: 72, 6 December 1901. Second award. Citation: On board the U.S.S. Vicksburg, for heroism in the line of his profession at the time of the accident to the boilers, 29 May 1901.”

Citation two reads:

“G.O. No.: 40, 19 October 1909. Citation: Watertender, serving on board the U.S.S. Salem, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession on the occasion of the accident to one of the boilers of that vessel, 13 September 1909.” See Medal of Honor Recipients.

In January 1960, the US Navy launched  the USS John King a Charles F. Adams-class guided missile armed destroyer in memory of the brave Irishman.

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SEE: Website dedicated to USS John King and crewmembers

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1922: IRA Kidnaps More than Forty Loyalist Supporters

In Northern Ireland, the IRA kidnaps more than forty  loyalists activists and “B” Specials (a part-time auxiliary police force which was almost 100% protestant) in response to the arrest of some Monaghan footballers, January 14 who were travelling to play in an Ulster Championship game. At least one of this party was an IRA activist. After intense negotiations between Michael Collins and Winston Churchill, all parties on both sides were released.  Following this incident, Churchill who was leading the UK effort on the transfer of power following the Treaty wrote to his wife Clementine in what might be termed an understatement “Ireland is sure to bring us every form of difficulty and embarrasment. “

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1940: IRA Men Executed in England

IRA volunteers Peter Barnes and James Richards are hanged in Winston Green Prison in Birmingham for their involvement in a bombing in Coventry the previous year which killed five people.

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1959: Mick McCarthy – Irish International

Mick McCarthy, Irish soccer international player and manager is born in Barnsley England. His father Charles was born in Ireland. McCarthy was a tough, uncompromising player who was a key man during the Jack Charlton era when Irelanld qualified for both Euro 88 and World Cup 90. He has gone on to have a relatively successful career as a manager of English clubs gaining promotion for both Sunderland and Wolves to the English premiership although both clubs subsequently sacked him due to poor performance in the top tier.

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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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This history is written by Irish author, business keynote speaker and award winning humorist IrishmanSpeaks – 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.

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