March 30: TODAY in Irish History (by IrishmanSpeaks) 
1872: Birth of Arthur Griffith in Dublin, one of the most important players in Irish Independence. Griffith founded Sinn Féin in 1905 as an Irish nationalist party whose objective was “to establish in Ireland’s capital a national legislature endowed with the moral authority of the Irish nation”.
It was not until after the 1916 Rising that Sinn Féin became a major force in Irish politics winning a landslide majority of Irish seats in the 1918 General Election. Refusing to take their seats in the House of Commons, the party held the first Dail on January 21, 1919, proclaiming itself the rightful parliament of an Irish Republic. During the vicious War of Independence and in the absence of De Valera in America, Griffith served as Acting President (sometimes in Jail.) Griffith led the Irish truce negotiations in London accompanied by Michael Collins signing the Treaty in December 1921. Acrimonious debates in Dail Eireann let to a walkout by De Valera and anti-Treaty-ites. Griffith died August 1922, while Ireland was embroiled in a civil war over the Treaty.
Michael Collins and Arthur Griffith
1952: Comedian and actor Dermot Morgan (d. 1988) is born in Dublin. Morgan slowly but surely built a very successful career in Ireland before making it big in the UK playing Father Ted in the eponymous series.
Dermot Morgan as the impish Father Ted
Morgan was a gifted comedy writer and satirist who consistently poked fun at Irish society and in particular what turned out to be the corrupt political machinations of Taoiseach Charles Haughey.
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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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Today In Irish History 