1850: Medal of Honor winner Edward Floyd is born in Ireland (location unknown.)
Edward Floyd
Floyd’s citation reads: The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Boilermaker Edward Floyd, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession while serving on board the U.S.S. Iowa, at the time of the blowing out of the manhole plate of Boiler D on board that vessel, 25 January 1905.
Headstone Edward Floyd
1910: Ulster Unionists elect Sir Edward Carson as party leader. He would prove to be an inspired choice from the Unionist point of view.
Sir Edward Carson
1922: Recruitment campaign commences for An Garda Síochána (Guardians of the Peace), the Irish police force. Candidates were to be at least 5′ 9″, unmarried and between the ages of 19 and 27. Michael Joseph Staines is the first Garda Commissioner.
Garda Síochána circa 1923
2009: Over 100,000 take to Dublin streets to protest the financial and banking crisis affecting Ireland. Unemployment rate in Ireland would jump from 4% (2008) to over 14% by 2011.
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1864: Irish born navy Coxswain Patrick Colbert receives the Medal of Honor for gallantry. His Citation reads:
“Served on board the U.S.S. Commodore Hull at the capture of Plymouth, 31 October 1864. Painfully wounded by a shell which killed the man at his side, Colbert, as captain of the forward pivot gun, remained at his post until the end of the action, braving the heavy enemy fire and appearing as cool as if at mere target practice.”
1909: County Down born engineer and inventor Harry Ferguson makes the first flight in Ireland. At HarryFergusonLegacy.com, his first flight is reported as follows: “Harry had designed a monoplane which was fitted with a V8 35hp JAP engine, construction of which was completed later that month. The day of the first flight attempt arrived and, with wings detached and the tail resting in the back of a car, the aircraft was towed through the streets of Belfast to Hillsborough Great Park. This first attempt failed, due in part to propeller trouble then, after it was replaced, because of unsuitable weather conditions. Over succeeding weeks, he tried again, his first successful flight of 130 yards in length being made on December 31st, 1909. ”
Harry Ferguson monoplane
The Belfast Telegraph reported on Ferguson’s flight: “The roar of the eight cylinders was like the sound of a Gatling gun in action. The machine was set against the wind, and all force being developed the splendid pull of the new propeller swept the big aeroplane along as Mr Ferguson advanced the lever. Presently, at the movement of the pedal, the aeroplane rose into the air at a height from nine to twelve feet, amidst the heavy cheers of the onlookers. The poise of the machine was perfect and Mr. Ferguson made a splendid flight of 130 yards.”
1927: 2RN (later Radio Eireann) broadcasts the first sponsored programme featuring Euthymol toothpaste.
1961: RTE, the Irish national broadcaster goes on air. The first person to address the nation was an elderly Eamonn De Valera who had some difficulty comprehending this “new” media: “I must admit that sometimes when I think of television and radio and their immense power, I feel somewhat afraid. Like atomic energy it can be used for incalculable good but it can also do irreparable harm. Never before was there in the hands of men an instrument so powerful to influence the thoughts and actions of the multitude.”
The highlight of an opening night transmitted in black and white was a program from the Gresham Hotel Dublin Hosted by Eamonn Andrews. Here is a clip from RTE Archives hosted by consummate Irish broadcaster Eamonn Andrews.
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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
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