Posts tagged ‘First VC recipient’

August 7,

Irish Air Ace Tom Hazell. First VC Winner. Rosemary Smith Rally Driver at today in Irish History

August 7: TODAY in Irish History:

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Today in Irish History: Curated by Conor Cunneen IrishmanSpeaks

Chicago Motivational Humorous Business Speaker, Author and History buff.

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For the Love of Being Irish

BUY Author signed copy of For the Love of Being Irish For a unique perspective on Ireland featuring History and Humor.

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August 7: TODAY in Irish History:

1892: Birth of Thomas Falcon Hazell DSO, MC, DFC & Bar in Roundstone Co. Galway.

tom falcon hazell at today in irish history

Tom Falcon Hazell

Hazell was a fighter pilot with the Royal Flying Corps, (Royal Air Force) downing forty three enemy planes during World War I. He was one of a number of very skilled Irish born air aces of the war including Edward Mannock and George McElroy. He was the only one of the three to survive the war and the most successful air ace to survive the war.

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1914: Death of Co. Armagh born Charles Davis Lucas (b. 19 February 1834). Lewis was the first recipient of the Victoria Cross.

charles davis lucas vc

Charles Davis Lucas

Lucas won the VC for action during the Crimean War when serving with the Royal Navy. The citation reads in part that “at the height of the action a live shell landed on Hecla’s upper deck, with its fuse still hissing. All hands were ordered to fling themselves flat on the deck, but Mr. Lucas with great presence of mind ran forward and hurled the shell into the sea, where it exploded with a tremendous roar before it hit the water. Thanks to Mr. Lucas’s action no one was killed or seriously wounded.”

He would go on to have a very successful career finally retiring as Rear Admiral.

For more on Charles Davis Lucas

1937: Ireland’s most successful female rally driver Rosemary Smith is born in Dublin. Smith’s career included successes in the Circuit of Ireland Rally, East African Rally, Cork 20, Scottish Rally. Smith was controversially disqualified from the 1966 Monte Carlo Rally, after winning the Coupe des Dames, the ladies class.  Smith gives her reasons for the qualification at about 10.46 of this YouTube video at EoinH5 Channel. It is an excellent interview with a very entertaining lady.

Her explanation of why she was prevented from driving in the Le Mans 24 is nothing short of hilarious. Listen at 13.00.

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Smith was famous for driving a Hillman Imp.  Click for wonderful Imp Site featuring Rosemary Smith.

For more on Rosemary Smith

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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

BUY Quality Quality Guinness and Ireland Rugby Shirts
Guinness Rugby Shirts - Brilliant!Rugby Shirt - Ireland


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.

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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 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)



June 21,

Battle of Vinegar Hill. Eucharistic Conference in Dublin

June 21: TODAY in Irish History:

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Today in Irish History: Curated by Conor Cunneen IrishmanSpeaks

Chicago Motivational Humorous Business Speaker, Author and History buff.

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ON THIS DAY

1798:  English troops defeat Irish rebels at the Battle of Vinegar Hill, putting an effective end to the 1798 rebellion.Between 15-20,000 English under the command of General Lake surrounded the rebels before shelling them and attacking with cavalry. The events following the battle shed no merit on any of the combatants. The rebellion had already seen bitter conflict and atrocities, but nothing to compare with what happened after Vinegar Hill. Rebel forces killed an estimated 70 Protestant prisoners in Wexford. English forces indulged in mass rape and murder of Irish whether involved in the rebellion or not. Rebels leaders including Bagenal Harvey, Cornelius Grogan, Mathew Keogh, and Anthony Perry – all of whom were Protestant were executed; their heads were cut off and stuck on spikes outside the courthouse in Wexford town.

1854: Armagh born Charles David Lucas(1834-1914) is involved in action in the Crimean War fighting with the English Navy that results in him becoming the first recipient of the Victoria Cross. The citation reads in part that “at the height of the action a live shell landed on Hecla’s upper deck, with its fuse still hissing. All hands were ordered to fling themselves flat on the deck, but Mr. Lucas with great presence of mind ran forward and hurled the shell into the sea, where it exploded with a tremendous roar before it hit the water. Thanks to Mr. Lucas’s action no one was killed or seriously wounded.”

He would go on to have a very successful career finally retiring as Rear Admiral.

1932: The 31st International Eucharistic Congress starts in Dublin. The congress was the largest public event to happen in the new Irish Free State and reinforced the Free State’s image of being a devout Catholic nation.

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

BUY Quality Quality Guinness and Ireland Rugby Shirts
Guinness Rugby Shirts - Brilliant!Rugby Shirt - Ireland


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.

___________________________________

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 HistoryTODAY IN IRISH HISTORY (published by IrishmanSpeaks)