Posts tagged ‘IRA’

September 30,

USS The Sulllivans – De Valera Agrees to Peace Conference at Today in Irish History

September 30: TODAY in Irish History:

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USS The Sulllivans

USS The Sulllivans

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

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Eamonn De Valera Responds to Lloyd George Proposal for Conference

Eamonn De Valera

Eamonn De Valera

“We have received your letter of invitation to a Conference in London on October 11th ‘with a view to ascertaining how the association of Ireland with the community of Nations known as the British Empire may best be reconciled with Irish National aspirations.’

“Our respective positions have been stated and are understood, and we agree that conference, not correspondence, is the most practicable and hopeful way to an understanding. We accept the invitation, and our delegates will meet you in London on the date mentioned ‘to explore every possibility of settlement by personal discussion’.”

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1942: Churchill on “Armed Raids from Eire”

In the house of Commons, Winston Churchill responded to parliamentary queries about “Armed raids from Eire” into Northern Ireland. During the latter part of 1942, a small but determined group of IRA volunteers continued to attack British forces and property in Northern Ireland. Quite often, the IRA parties would disappear across the border to the Republic of Ireland.

Hansard Report for September 30th:

Major Sir Ronald Ross asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of recent attacks by armed parties from neutral territory and the ease with which enemy agents can at present get information as to British and United States Forces in Northern Ireland, an effective boundary under military control will now be established between the United Kingdom and neutral land frontiers; and whether the censorship and control of travel at present in force between two portions of the United Kingdom will be transferred to traffic and mail between the United Kingdom and neutral territory?

Churchill:

The primary responsibility for dealing with criminal outrages, including those in which the criminals use arms, rests on the civil authorities, who can call for the assistance of the military authorities if need arises. Appropriate arrangements have been made in Northern Ireland for the provision of such assistance if required. I understand the Government of Northern Ireland are satisfied that the situation is well in hand. As regards control of the land boundary careful examination has shown that such a scheme as my hon. and gallant Friend suggests would not be the best method of preventing leakage of information. For this purpose other measures are taken which I am advised are more appropriate and effective. It would not be practicable to adopt the proposal in the last part of the Question to dispense with the existing control over traffic and communications from Great Britain.

Ross:

Is my right hon. Friend not aware that the responsibility for the defence of the United Kingdom, including Northern Ireland, from attack from without is an Imperial responsibility of the Government of the United Kingdom, that these attacks were from without, and that at the present time there is no serious attempt made to prevent information from Northern Ireland, even as to the passage of convoys which are visible from the coast of Antrim, from going down to organised enemy organisations in Eire?

Churchill:

I have never pretended to regard the situation as satisfactory, but the arrangements made go a considerable way to mitigate the danger.

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1943: Ray Burke, Corrupt Mininster For Foreign Affairs

Ray Burke, Fianna Fail TD, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Minister for Justice is born. Once one of the most powerful and domineering political forces in Ireland, Burke was forced to resign from his role as Foreign Affairs minister amidst claims of bribery and corruption from builders and developers. The government instituted Flood tribunal found that the former minister received corrupt payments from property developers and other business interests in the 1970s and 80s. In 2004, he pleaded guilty to tax evasion and was subsequently sentenced to six months jail.

ray burke and bertie aherne
Paragons of Irish Political Virtue – Ray Burke and Bertie Aherne. Both would find themselves in hot water for “payments” received.

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1943: Navy Destroyer USS The Sullivans is commissioned

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USS The Sulllivans
USS The Sulllivans. In service 1943-1965

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The US Navy commissions the destroyer The Sullivans. The ship commemorated the tragic five Sullivan brothers who were killed November 13 1942 after their ship USS Juneau  was hit by a Japanese torpedo at the Battle of Guadalcanal. Only 10 of the almost 700 crew survived. The Sullivan brothers were descendants of an Irish immigrant.

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The Five Sullivan Brothers

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READ: The USS Sullivans

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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)

   

September 25,

Mass IRA Escape – Death of Thomas Ashe – Man United in Dublin at Today in Irish History

September 25: TODAY in Irish History:

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thomas ashe hunger strike force feeding death

Thomas Ashe

Snippets of Irish History by Conor Cunneen IrishmanSpeaks 

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

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

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

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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Death of Thomas Ashe Following Force Feeding

1917: Thomas Ashe, republican activist, 1916 volunteer died after being forcibly fed by prison authorities while on hunger strike.

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thomas ashe hunger strike force feeding death
Thomas Ashe 1885-1917

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Ashe was born in Kerry in 1885 and at an early age got involved in nationalist politics. He joined the Irish Volunteers in 1913 and was involved in the 1916 Rising fighting in Ashbourne where the Irish rebels did have some success.

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READ: The Battle of Ashbourne

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Ashe was released from British custody in June 1917 as were most 1916 volunteers. He quickly got arrested for anti-British activity again and was sentenced to two years jail. When he was refused political status in jail, he went on hunger strike. Aggressive force feeding by his jailers went badly wrong and he died on this day in 1917.

For an Ireland that deeply despised British actions in executing the 1916 leaders, the death of Tom Ashe generated another huge surge of nationalist emotion and anti-British feeling.

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THOMAS ASHE FUNERAL

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While in prison in England, Ashe wrote Let me Carry your Cross for Ireland, Lord

Let me carry your Cross for Ireland, Lord

The hour of her trial draws near,

And the pangs and the pains of the sacrifice

May be borne by comrades dear.

But, Lord, take me from the offering throng,

There are many far less prepared,

Through anxious and all as they are to die

That Ireland may be spared.

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READ: Let me Carry your Cross for Ireland, Lord

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1957: Shamrock Rovers Play First Euro Tie against Manchester United

Shamrock Rovers is first Irish team to play in European soccer competition. It was an interesting debut as they are hammered by a pre-Munich Manchester United. The Busby Babes slammed six goals past Rovers without reply in Dublin. Rovers acquitted themselves much better in the return leg in Manchester losing just 3-2. Less than five months later, most of the Manchester United team was wiped out at Munich including Dubliner Liam Whelan. Whelan who did not play against Rovers. United greats to feature in the Dublin game included Duncan Edwards, Tommy Taylor, Bobby Charlton and Roger Byrne. Only Charlton would survive Munich.

Click here or Program image below for PDF of the wonderful match program at ShamrockRovers.ie. Given the tragedy that was soon to befall United, the program notes on the likes of Duncan Edwards, Roger Byrne and others are particularly poignant.

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shamrock rovers V Manchester United 1957

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1961: Soccer Player Ronnie Whelan

Liverpool and Ireland soccer player Ronnie Whelan is born. Whelan played for Ireland 53 times scoring three goals including the memorable one below. He played the bulk of his career with the great Liverpool team of the 1980s winning six league championship medals, two FA Cup and one European Cup medal.

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RONNIE WHELAN SCORES AGAINST USSR

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1983: IRA Maze Prison Escape

38 IRA prisoners break out of the Maze Prison (Long Kesh.) 15 were captured on the first day. It was the largest prison break in British history.

The official report on the escape details how the prisoners were able to get control of a lorry which took them out of the prison:

“At 3.25 p.m. the kitchen lorry, driven by Officer *** accompanied by prison orderly Armstrong, arrived at the outer gate to the compound with the food. McFarlane and his companions admitted the lorry without arousing the driver’s suspicion and then, as Officer *** and Armstrong started to unload the food-containers at the entrance to the Block, seized them at gunpoint and took them inside. The driver was taken into the medical treatment room where he was told that the kitchen lorry was to be used in the escape and that he was to drive it. The prisoners gave him precise instructions about the route he was to follow and how he should behave if challenged. Armstrong was told to travel in the lorry in the normal way.

At 3.50 p.m., when the prisoners had been in control of H7 for about an hour, Officer *** and Armstrong were taken back to the lorry. The driver’s left foot was tied to the clutch and his door lock was jammed. From beneath his seat a cord was attached to what he was told was a hand grenade – in fact it was tied to the frame of the seat. Kelly, in officer’s uniform, lay on the floor of the cab on the passenger side and trained his gun on Officer ***. Thirty-seven prisoners then climbed into the back of the lorry, the shutter was lowered and the vehicle drove off.

The escapers left behind a rear party, armed with chisels and screwdrivers, to guard the captured staff and prevent the alarm from being raised prematurely. They appear to have remained at their posts until they judged that the escapers were clear of the prison, then they returned quietly to their cells.”

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DOCUMENTARY ON MAZE ESCAPE


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Not surprisingly, the escape was an enormous political coup for the IRA. A number of the escapees were killed in IRA/British firefights over following years.

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READ: Report of an Inquiry by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons into the security arrangements at HM Prison, Maze

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2000: Sonial O’Sullivan – Olympic Silver

Cobh born Sonia O’Sullivan wins Olympic  silver medal in the women’s 5,000 meters race in Sydney. O’Sullivan’s career included five gold medals at World and European Championships and World Cross Country Championships.

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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)