Posts tagged ‘Irish VC winners’

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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tom falcon hazell at today in irish history

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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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

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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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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)

   

June 21,

Battle of Vinegar Hill – First VC Winner – Eucharistic Congress 1932

June 21: TODAY in Irish History:

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Vinhill

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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1798: Battle of Vinegar Hill

Vinhill

Battle of Vinegar Hill by Irish painter William Sadler 1782-1839

English troops defeat Irish rebels at the Battle of Vinegar Hill, effectively putting an 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.

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1854: First Victoria Cross Winner

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.

READ: The First Presentation of the Victoria Cross

Other Irish VC winners include: Abraham Boulger, Cork born David Lord,

The first recipient of a Victoria Cross in WWI was Maurice James Dease from Co. Westmeath

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1932: 31st Eucharistic Congress

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.


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READ: 31st Eucharistic Congress at UCC Multitext Project

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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)