Posts tagged ‘famous Irish Sportsmen’

October 25,

Death of Cork Lord Mayor Terence McSwiney – Olympic Hero Peter O’Connor – Congressional Medal of Honor Winner

October 25: TODAY in Irish History:

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Terence McSwiney

Cork Lord Mayor Terence McSwiney

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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SHEIFGAB! Staying Sane, Motivated and Productive in Job Search.

An insightful, realistic, yet humorous book on the job search process by Today in Irish History Curator Conor Cunneen

Special accessible price for job seekers on Kindle of $2.99

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1864: Joseph Keele, Congressional Medal of Honor

Irish born Joseph Keele is awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.

His citation reads:

Rank and organization: Sergeant Major, 182d New York Infantry. Place and date: At North Anna River, Va., 23 May 1864. Entered service at: Staten Island, N.Y. Birth: Ireland. Date of issue: 25 October 1867. Citation: Voluntarily and at the risk of his life carried orders to the brigade commander, which resulted in saving the works his regiment was defending.

SEE: HomeofHeroes.com

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1872: Birth of Athlete Peter O’Connor

All but forgotten today, Peter O’Connor was a remarkable character who thumbed his nose at Britain after winning gold medals in that country’s colors.

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Peter O'Connor Irish Olympian
Peter O’Connor 1872-1957

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Wikipedia writes:

“Born in Millom, Cumberland, England on 24 October 1872, O’Connor grew up in Wicklow, County Wicklow, Ireland. He joined the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) in 1896. In 1899 he won All-Ireland medals in long jump, high jump and hop, step and jump (triple jump). Over the next ten years he consistently beat British athletes in international competitions. The (British) Amateur Athletic Association invited him to represent Britain in the Olympic Games in 1900, but he refused as he only wished to represent Ireland.

O’Connor traveled to Athens in 1906 to represent Ireland in what were known as the Intercalated Olympic Games. As Ireland was not an independent nation, he was forced to represent Britain. Following his victory in the Hop, Step and Jump, he climbed the Olympic flagpole and waved an Irish flag!”

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Peter O'Connor Irish Athlete olympian

Source: Mark Quinn, The King of Spring: the Life and Times of Peter O’Connor

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READ: Peter O’Connor

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1921: Death of Cork Lord Mayor Terence McSwiney on Hunger Strike

Terence McSwiney on this day in Irish history

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The above image is from PRINCIPLES of FREEDOM, by Terence McSwiney, published after his death.

McSwiney was Sinn Fein Lord Mayor of Cork during the War of Independence. After his arrest in 1920 for sedition, he went on hunger strike in Brixton Jail, England. A botched effort to force feed him hastened his death after 74 days. His funeral in Cork was viewed by over 100,000 people. McSwiney was confident “that my death will do more to smash the British Empire than my release.” His death energized an already emotional anti-British population.
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Terence McSwiney Cork Lord Mayor
Memorial Card Terence McSwiney

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FREE DOWNLOAD: Principles of Freedom at Project Gutenberg.

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WATCH: A Short History of Ireland

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

Irish gift ideas. Best selling Irish booksRonnie Drew and Luke Kelly - Musical Irish Gifts to the worldJoyce Image in For the Love of Being IrishMichael Collins: Image from 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.

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 15,

Boxer John L Sullivan – Sean Lemass at White House – Singer Josef Locke

October 15: TODAY in Irish History:

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boxer john l sullivan

John L Sullivan

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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***********************

NEW                    NEW

Product Details

SHEIFGAB! Staying Sane, Motivated and Productive in Job Search.

An insightful, realistic, yet humorous book on the job search process by Today in Irish History Curator Conor Cunneen

Special accessible price for job seekers on Kindle of $2.99

.

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1858: Boxer John L. Sullivan

John L. Sullivan nicknamed The Boston Strong Boy  is born in Roxbury, Mass. to Irish  immigrant parents, Michael Sullivan from Abbeydorney, County Kerry and the former Catherine Kelly from Athlone. Sullivan was one of the last of the great bare-knuckle fighters and the first fighter to win the world title wearing gloves. Bare-knuckle fighting was a brutal sport, not least when Sullivan defeated Jake Kilrain over 75 rounds (Yes, seventy five) in 1889 to retain his title. Kilrain, who was close to death at the end of the fight was a pallbearer at Sullivan’s funeral in 1918.

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boxer john l sullivan
John L. Sullivan

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READ: Sports Illustrated article on Sullivan-Kilrain fight

Sullivan was enormously popular at a time when the sport was often outlawed by various states. He was finally defeated in a title fight by Gentleman Jim Corbett in 1892. A (very) hard drinker during his ring career, he later became an advocate of prohibition.

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1963: Taoiseach Sean Lemass at White House

Just months after JFK visited Ireland, Sean Lemass visits the White House. Below are remarks from both parties

Sean Lemass at White House

Sean Lemass meeting with Kennedy

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1999: Death of Josef Locke

Singer Josef Locke 11917-1999
Singer Josef Locke 11917-1999

Death of one of the great characters of Irish entertainment Josef Locke (born Joseph McLaughlin) at age of 82.

Although nearing the end of a very full life, Locke was a staple on Irish TV variety shows during the 60’s singing with an engaging enthusiasm songs such as Hear My Song, Violetta,  probably his most popular work and I’ll Take You Home Again, Kathleen, Dear Old Donegal, Galway Bay and The Isle of Innisfree.

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shamrockshamrockshamrockshamrockshamrockshamrockshamrockshamrock

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WATCH: A Short History of Ireland

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

Irish gift ideas. Best selling Irish booksRonnie Drew and Luke Kelly - Musical Irish Gifts to the worldJoyce Image in For the Love of Being IrishMichael Collins: Image from For the Love of Being Irish

___________________________________

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.

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)