Posts tagged ‘RUC’

June 1,

Irish Brigade. RUC Formed. 1798 Rebellion on this day in Irish History

June 1: 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: The military situation during the 1798 Rebellion is summed up in the following communication from Lord Castlereagh:

” The rebels still continue in force in the Counties of Wicklow, Wexford, Kildare, Carlow, Meath, and King’s County; it is difficult to bring them to any decisive action. They commit horrid cruelties, and disperse as soon as the troops appear. Should the insurrection confine itself within the present limits, a short time will dispose of it. There are some unpleasant appearances in certain parts of the North, but as yet all is in fact quiet in Ulster, Munster, and Connaught. . . . The spirit of the country rises with its difficulties. Should the rebellion prove only partial, aided by the reinforcements expected from England, I look with confidence to the issue, which, if fortunate, cannot fail to place this kingdom, and of course the empire, in a state of security much beyond that in which it has stood for years past.” 2

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1850: US Census conducted on this day indicates that almost four million of the total population are Irish. The New York census indicated that 134,000 New Yorkers, 26% of the city population were born in Ireland.

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1862: The Irish Brigade is involved in combat at the Battle of Fair Oaks (Seven Pines).

In his report, General Thomas Francis Meagher writes of the events of June 1:

The Eighty-eighth New York Volunteers had to display itself in opening before they reached their position on the railroad which was exposed to the unobstructed fire of the enemy from the woods, forming a semicircle in front of the line on which the regiment was deploying. In other words, the line of battle of the Eighty-eighth was the chord of resistance to the arc of the enemy’s fire. At the central point of the chord there stood a farm-house, which during the action was used as a hospital for the wounded of the regiment specially detailed at this point any other of either army who were wounded in proximity to it and who could be brought in……

The officers and men of the regiment stood and received the fire of the enemy whilst they delivered their own with an intelligent steadiness and composure which might have done credit to, and might perhaps have been looked for in, the mature troops of more than one campaign. The creditable and memorable conduct of the Sixty-ninth on this occasion was, in my opinion, owing in a great measure to the soldiery bearing and fearless tone and spirit of Colonel Nugent, who, standing close to the colors of his regiment, over and over again repeated the order to fire on the enemy. The fire of the two regiments, in a word, was so telling, that the enemy, although in considerable force and evidently bent on a desperate advance, were compelled to retire, leaving their dead and wounded piled in the woods and swampy ground in front of our line of battle.

Battle of Fair Oaks

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1879: Death of County Tyrone born Senator James Shields.  The Democrat Shields served as a U.S. Senator for three different states: Illinois, Minnesota and Missouri. In addition to his political career, he also fought in the Mexican-American War and also the Civil War where he led the 2nd Division of the V Corps, Army of the Potomac. Official Congressional bio of James Shields.

Senator James Shields

Senator James Shields

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1922: The Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) is officially formed to police the new state of Northern Ireland. Many former RIC men joined the new force which meant that a police force that would eventually become almost totally Protestant started out with about 40% Catholic membership. See RUC website.

Early RUC members

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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 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.

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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 IrishmanSpeaksto 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)


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 IrishmanSpeaksto Laugh and Learn. Tags: Best Irish Gift, Creative Irish Gift, Unique Irish Gifts, Irish Books, Irish Authors, Today in Irish History

May 31,

Germany Bombs Dublin. Disbandment of RIC. Death of Arkle on this day in Irish History

May 31: TODAY in Irish History:

_______________________________________________________________________

Today in Irish History: Curated by Conor Cunneen IrishmanSpeaks

Chicago Motivational Humorous Business Speaker, Author and History buff.

_____________________________________________________________________________

ON THIS DAY

1922: Official disbandment in the Irish Free State of the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) to be replaced by the Civic Guard, later renamed An Garda Síochána. In Northern Ireland, it would be a few months before the RIC would be replaced officially by the RUC (Royal Ulster Constabulary).

The RIC had suffered terribly during the Irish War of Independence. Many ordinary Irish police officers (mostly Catholic) were caught in a conflict of loyalty between maintaining law and order for a British institution and the IRA’s efforts to force England out. In one three month period in 1920, over 600 men resigned their commission out of a force of 9,500. Those who stayed were deemed legitimate targets by the IRA who killed an estimated 200 policemen during the conflict. Following the Treaty, many opted to join the respective new police forces on both sides of the border.

The Royal Ulster Constabulary website quotes historians W.J.Lowe and E.L. Malcolm on the RIC:

“That the R.I.C. held up as well as it did in the difficult years after 1918 is remarkable when one takes into account that barracks were managed by large numbers of middle aged men with families to support. Their long careers signified experience, loyalty and knowledge, as well as a maturity that bolstered discipline under duress. But in both organizational and personnel terms, the R.I.C. was a civil police force and not a light infantry. And this presented a problem when confronted by a determined guerilla army.”

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1945: German planes drop bombs over Dublin during the night. The bombs killed 28 people, injured 90, destroyed or damaged approximately 300 houses, and left 400 people homeless. Although the rationale for the bombing of a neutral country has never been properly clarified, the bombing was most likely a navigational error.

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1970: Death of Arkle the wonder horse, probably the greatest steeplechase horse ever and an animal that absolutely captured the hearts of the Irish population during the 1960s. Jockey Pat Taffe rode Arkle  to victory in three Cheltenham Gold Cups between 1964 and 1966, the King George VI Chase, two Hennessy Gold Cups, an Irish Grand National and a Whitbread Gold Cup. In a relatively drab Ireland of the 60s, Taffe and Arkle became rock stars, even having a chart topping song, sung by Dominic Behan called after the wonder horse. 

 

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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 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 IrishmanSpeaksto Laugh and Learn. Tags: Best Irish Gift, Creative Irish Gift, Unique Irish Gifts, Irish Books, Irish Authors, Today in Irish History