Division 4's annual Super Bowl Party will be February 3 at the West View Fireman's Party Room. Admission is $30, which entitles the purchaser one block on the pool. Children 16 and younger may attend for $5. Food, soda pop and beer are included.
Prizes are: $100 first and third quarters; $300 at the half; an LCD HD TV (used during the Super Bowl) and valued at $1500 at the end of the fourth quarter. Winners need not attend.
For more information contact Pat O'Brien at 412.977.8891.
To help AOH divisions throughout the Pittsburgh region get their delegates to the AOH National Convention this summer, the Allegheny County Board is offering a $5,000 trip to Ireland!
Only 200 tickets will be sold with five chances to win! Tickets are $50. The winning ticket is based on the Pennsylvania 3-digit evening lottery on March 17, 2008.
The trip will be paid to the winner with an O'Leary tours travel voucher. Unsold tickets are the property of AOH County Board and have been distributed to Division presidents.
The bus leaves at 5 a.m. from Lenzner's Bus Depot, Nicholson Road, off Mt. Nebo Road in Ohio Township. Transportation is $50. Passengers are responsible for their own motel reservations.
For more details contact Pat O'Brien at 412.971.8891.
Royal Scots Dragoon Guards & Band of the Coldstream Guards
Heinz Hall presents the Music of Scotland, England, Ireland and Wales featuring the Pipes, Drums and Highland Dancers of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards and the Band of the Coldstream GuardsMonday February 4 at Heinz Hall. Tickets are reserved at $29.50, $39.50 and some limited gold circle seats for $65.50. You can buy tickets at the Heinz Hall Box Online Office, at www.pittsburghsymphony.org or by phone at 412.392.4900. Group discounts are available by calling 412.392.4819
Congratulations to Rich O'Malley for being named Allegheny County Hibernian of the Year!
Rich O'Malley, newly installed president of Division 1, was selected by the County Board of the AOH and will receive his award at the County Communion Breakfast, March 9, 10:00 a.m. Sheraton, Station Square.
Besides appearing as Uncle Sam and St. Patrick (different years, to be sure) in our annual St. Patrick's Day parades, Rich is a tireless Hibernian brother whose many efforts include the Hibernian Hunger Project, all three Cash Bashes, the annual Diabetes Walk, Labor Day Parade committees, St. Patrick's Day parade committees, nights of Irish music and other events.
Rich has been involved in buying and delivering books to veterans in local hospitals and is also the state AOH's District 5 Director and an inexhaustible seller of tickets and chances for countless Hibernian events and drawings.
On his Friday night HBO program, “Real Time with Bill Maher,” Maher was joined in a discussion about UFO’s with some of the panelists. Here is what Maher had to say:
“But I think it is much more likely that there could be space ships from outer space, than what a lot of things people believe. People still believe, you know, excuse me I know I may inject religion into every show but UFO’s are a lot more likely than a space god flew down bodily and you know who was the Son of God and you know had sex with a Palestinian woman, and um…”
Catholic League president Bill Donohue addressed Maher’s remark today:
“Last week, we registered a complaint with ESPN regarding the offensive comments made by anchorwoman Dana Jacobson at a celebrity roast; after I had a conversation with ESPN officials, the issue was satisfactorily settled by the end of the week. Moreover, Jacobson made another apology today, her first day back from her suspension. It is worth comparing Jacobson to Maher on several counts."“Jacobson was drunk, made her first and only bigoted comment in public, apologized twice for her behavior and was punished by her station. By contrast, Maher was sober, made his umpteenth Christian-bashing remark, did not apologize—he never does—and suffered no consequences. In short, Jacobson’s outburst was an anomaly; Maher’s was not. She is a first-time offender and he is a recidivist."“There is no bigger bigot in America today than Bill Maher. His serial insults are tolerated on HBO and on late-night television shows because the producers are not outraged by what he says. How else can we explain his ability to offend with impunity?”
If enraged like me, contact the Chairman and CEO of HBO, Bill Nelson at: Bill.Nelson@HBO.com
Latest attempts to unravel the mystery surrounding the disappearance of the Irish crown jewels a century ago suggest the full truth may never be revealed. Valerie Robinson reports
The fate of the Irish crown jewels remains one of the great unsolved mysteries in the country's history - up there with the identity of the gunman who shot Michael Collins.
However, 100 years after the gems' disappearance, two main suspects remain to the fore - Francis 'Frank' Shackleton, the younger brother of Polar explorer Ernest, and former mayor of Canterbury and Conservative MP Francis Bennett Goldney.
One Irish historian is convinced that the jewels would be "too conspicuous to remain in private hands'', pointing out that if they were found intact they would be worth up to €6 million today.
The Irish crown jewels were the insignia of the Most Illustrious Order of St Patrick, traditionally worn by the British sovereign at the installation of knights of the order. Read more here...
There was an Irish family who wanted very much to have a baby. They were poor, but they did what they could to buy vitamins and folic acid and all the things a mother needs to bear a healthy child. They were delighted when they conceived, but when they went for their first scan the doctor could see something was very wrong - the child was only a head.
Nevertheless he came to full term and, miraculously, despite his lack of a body, he was born otherwise healthy. He needed a lot of help, but he was everything to his parents and their boy prospered, despite his condition.
On his 18th birthday his father tucked him under his arm and proudly walked down to his local pub. Setting his boy down on the bar, he turned toward the barman, “Two pints of stout!” he ordered, proudly.
The pints came and the father lovingly helped his son drink his first beer as a legal adult. Suddenly, the head began to shake and *pop* a neck appeared beneath his boy’s head.
Amazed, the father quickly ordered his son another pint. He poured it into him and *pop* a set of shoulders appeared. Another pint and *pop* an arm! Another and *pop* a second arm!!
Now the boy could drink for himself he continued to order pints of stout while the bar gathered around and cheered him on. *pop*! *pop*! In rapid succession the rest of his body appeared and, after drinking 12 pints he was whole! With everyone cheering, he ran around the place naked. Sure - he was completely unused to his new body but elated nonetheless!
With the cheers of the bar he became so excited he ran outside and into the road where he was struck by a truck and killed instantly.
A few days later, after the funeral, an older man was having a few drinks at the same bar when he asked the bartender,
“Did you hear about the young fella who was only a head? Isn’t that a terrible thing happened to him!”
“Ah, said the bartender, sadly wiping a glass, “he shoulda quit while he was a head!”
AOH 32 President Mike Finnerty sent along an interesting Web site and exercise to take to determine your perfect selection adn ideal candidate for the U.S. 2008 Presidential election. Take 2-3 minutes and click here to take the test if you're having trouble deciding which presidential candidate or party is the right choice based on your views.
January 27 1885 - Charles Stewart Parnell turns the first sod for the West Clare Railway 1944 - Birth of Mairead Corrigan-Maguire, founder of NI Peace Movement 1975 - Mother Mary Martin, founder of the Medical Missionaries of Mary, dies in Drogheda 1999 - The peace process and the IRA ceasefire are thrown into chaos following the mysterious death of ex-Provo killer turned supergrass Eamon Collins 2000 - Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams indicates that the IRA will not deliver arms ahead of the Ulster Unionists’ February deadline.
January 28 1610 - The crown and the Irish Society of London, a consortium of city companies, agree to carry out the plantation of Derry (hence Londonderry), Coleraine and part of Tyrone 1635 - The City of London and the Irish Society of London are found guilty of mismanagement and neglect of Derry/Londonderry plantation; they are sentenced to a fine of £70,000 and forfeiture of Derry/Londonderry property 1742 - Clotworthy Skeffington, 2nd Earl of Massereene, is born in Co. Antrim 1786 - By charter, the Irish Academy becomes the Royal Irish Academy 1807 - Birth in Co. Wexford of Sir Robert McClure, polar explorer and discoverer of the North-West Passage 1818 - The Iberno-Celtic Society is founded to preserve and publish the best ancient Irish literature 1852 - Louis Brennan, inventor, is born in Castlebar, Co. Mayo 1892 - Birth in Limerick of David Mary Tidmarsh , WWI Ace 1873 - Patrick Malley is killed by his son William Malley at Calla, a remote district of Errismore Co. Galway. J.M. Synge based his story The Playboy Of The Western World on the tragedy 1877 - George Fitzmaurice, Irish Renaissance playwright, is born 1939 - Death of William Butler Yeats 1941 - The Emergency Powers Act provides for the censorship of press messages to places outside the Free State 1941 - Birth of Fublin artist, George Potter 1967 - Helena Moloney, republican and trade unionist, dies in Dublin. 1981 - Daniel O’Donnell makes his first professional appearance, at a club in Thurles as part of his sister Margo’s band 1993 - The IRA bombs Harrods for the third time in 20 years. Four people are injured 2000 - Death of well known Irish actor, Tony Doyle, star of popular programmes such as Ballykissangel and The Riordans 2000 - Nobel Peace laureate, John Hume, issues a plea to the IRA for a last minute gesture on decommissioning to ensure the Northern Ireland peace process does not founder 2001 - Mighty Munster moves a step closer to Heineken European Cup rugby glory when they defeat Biarritz 38 29 in the quarter final Photo credit: Des Barry 2002 - Winds of up to 90mph leave 3,000 homes in the west and north-west without power supply for several hours 2003 - It is announced that actor Peter O’Toole, nominated seven times for an Oscar for his work in films as diverse as the historical epic Lawrence of Arabia and the nostalgic comedy My Favourite Year, will receive an honorary Academy Award at this year’s Oscar ceremonies. 2007 - Sinn Féin ardfheis votes overwhelmingly in favour of a leadership motion expressing support for the Police Service of Northern Ireland. Speaking moments after the vote is taken, party President Gerry Adams describes the decision as "truly historic" and says the potential had been created to change the political landscape of the island "forever."
January 29 1768 - Oliver Goldsmith's The Good-Natured Boy is first performed at London's Covent Garden 1794 - Archibald Hamilton Rowan, United Irishman, tried on charge of distributing seditious paper 1967 - The Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association (NICRA) is formed 1976 - Explosions rock London's West End. One person is injured. The IRA later takes responsibility 1998 - The British government bows to pressure and announces a new judicial inquiry into the killing of 14 unarmed civil rights marchers in Derry on January 30, 26 years ago 1998 - Former Taoiseach Jack Lynch is rushed to Accident and Emergency at the Meath Hospital, Dublin shortly before 10pm. His condition is described as not life-threatening 1999 - The future of the Apple computer plant in Cork is thrown into doubt with the news that up to 600 jobs are expected to be lost 1999 - One of the youngest members of the Church of Ireland, Rev. Canon William Paul Colton, is elected Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross. He succeeds the Rt. Rev. Roy Warke 2001 - Ulster Unionist deputy leader John Taylor pulls out of the running for the next General Election 2002 - Rock superstars U2 battle to save their Dublin recording studios from being pulled to the ground. The millionaire musicians tell a hearing at the Gresham Hotel in Dublin that the musical heritage of their Hanover Quay site should be enough to save it from demolition.
January 30 1845 - Birth of Kitty O'Shea, mistress and later, the wife of Parnell 1859 - Edward Martyn, playwright, co-founder of Irish Literary Theatre, and Sinn Féin president, is born in Tulira, Co. Galway 1864 - The National Gallery of Ireland opens 1865 - Birth of John Hughes, sculptor, in Dublin 1900 - The Irish Party reunites ten years after it split 1920 - Tomás MacCurtain is elected Lord Mayor of Cork for Sinn Féin 1947 - Jim Larkin, Irish labor leader dies 1972 - In what is to become known as Bloody Sunday, the British Army kills 13 civil rights demonstrators in the Bogside district of Londonderry. A 14th marcher later dies of his injuries 1984 - Death of Luke Kelly, lead vocalist and 5-string banjo member of the Dubliners 1990 - Haughey resigns as Taoiseach 1998 - Relatives of those killed during the Bloody Sunday massacre in Derry's Bogside, gather to remember their dead. It is a ritual observed every year, but this year it is given extra poignancy by the announcement of a new inquiry into the killing of 14 unarmed civilians by the Parachute Regiment 1998 - Thousands participate in a united peace rally to protest at recent sectarian killings 1998 - Buried in the sand at Lahinch for almost 100 years, the ship-wrecked Elizabeth McClean emerges to allow a salvage operation to take its valuable cargo. The 58-foot schooner, laden down with Liscannor stone, sank off the Clare coast in 1904, bound for Glasgow 2000 - Three RUC officers are injured and another man is in serious condition after mobs attack them in Derry and Belfast 2002 - Figures released by the Central Statistics Office show that Dubliners have more money to spend than everyone else in Ireland with people in Laois, Offaly and Kerry having the least 2002 - Publicans warn Health Minister Micheál Martin not to proceed with a proposed ban on smoking in pubs after he announces changes to tough anti-tobacco laws, which will allow him to ban smoking in all or part of licensed premises 2003 - Vintners claim that next year's ban on smoking in pubs will be unworkable and accuse Health Minister Micheál Martin of overreacting.
January 31 1800 - William Pitt, 'the younger', Prime Minister of Britain, advocates the union of Britain and Ireland 1864 - Birth of Matilda Knowles, botanist 1881 - Anna Parnell sets up the Committee of the Ladies' Land League in Dublin 1913 - The Ulster Volunteer Force is founded by the Unionist Council, posing a threat to the legitimate government 1953 - The Princess Victoria, a British Railways car ferry steamer, bound for Larne in Northern Ireland, sinks in the Irish Sea in one of the worst gales in living memory, claiming the lives of 128 passengers and crew. Among the passengers who perish are the Northern Ireland Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Major J. M. Sinclair, and Sir Walter Smiles, the Ulster Unionist MP for North Down 1998 - Two men are arrested as they transfer cannabis resin with an estimated valued of £5 million into a vehicle in a wooded area near Cahir, Co Tipperary 1999 - The end of an era in maritime history is reached as the high-tech world takes over from the old, manually-operated morse code radio services. For over 100 years, the dot-dash-dot system operated by radio officers served shipping well, but is now superseded by a state-of-the-art communications network. Marine Minister Michael Woods marks the historic occasion at at Valentia Coast Radio Station, Co. Kerry, as the use of Morse ends in this country, Belgium, Denmark and Iceland 1999 - Irish American business tycoon, Jay Michael Cashman splashes out a reported £250,000 to tie the knot with his film producer sweetheart, Christy Jean Scott, in a glittering ceremony in the 15th-century ruined Franciscan Abbey. It is the first wedding in the abbey in 500 years 2000 - Seventeen fishermen from a blazing Spanish trawler off the Clare coast are rescued by the Irish Coast Guard 2000 - President Bill Clinton and Northern Ireland peace envoy George Mitchell are among those nominated for this year’s Nobel Peace Prize 2003 - The coast guard remains on standby off the north-west coast for a major pollution incident as damage to the Panamanian-registered Princess Eva tanker, carrying 55,000 tonnes of oil, is assessed.
February 1 1177 - John de Courcy invades Ulster and seizes Down; he defeats its king, Rory MacDonlevy, twice, even though the northern clergy use sacred relics as talismans on MacDonlevy's behalf 1315 - Edward the Bruce of Scotland and his Irish allies win the battle of Skerries in Kildare 1754 - Denis O'Neal, having been convicted of a footpad robbery and sentenced to death, is executed on this date despite an appeal to the Chief Secretary by Charles O'Neill, MP for Randalstown, to have him spared 1796 - Theobald Wolf Tone, United Irish leader, arrives in France seeking assistance 1814 - The Belfast Academical Institution - later the Royal Belfast Academical Institution, a Presbyterian college - is opened 1815 - Daniel O'Connell, having killed Norcot d'Esterre in a duel fought on this date, repudiates violence 1878 - Thomas MacDonagh, patriot, poet, critic and scholar, is born in Cloughjordan, Co. Tipperary 1895 - Birth of Sean Aloysius O'Fearna, better known as film director, John Ford 1925 - The Derry to Burtonport train crashes in Co. Donegal, killing 14 people 1967 - The Northern Ireland Civil Rights Movement is founded 1994 - The US Government breaks its policy of "censorship by visa denial" and allows Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams to make a speech in New York City 1998 - Up to 40,000 people march through Derry to commemorate the 26th anniversary of Bloody Sunday 1998 - It is announced that the partial filming of the Steven Spielberg film 'Saving Private Ryan' at Curracloe beach in Co. Wexford last summer brought over £4 million to the local economy. The Normandy D-Day landings of 1944 were re-created at the beach during four weeks of filming last July and August 2002 - Thousands of commuters and motorists are stranded by freak tides, heavy wind and rain. Rush hour traffic grounds to a halt thanks to fallen trees, downed power-lines and heavy flooding 2003 - Roy Keane's controversial autobiography is nominated at British Book Awards In the liturgical calendar, today is the feast day of St. Brigid. It is also celebrated in the Celtic nations as Imbolc - the first day of spring.
February 2 1172 - Last day King Henry II holds his court in Dublin 1172 - The Synod of Cashel: the Bishops of Ireland, under duress, pledge allegiance to Henry II of England 1806 - Birth of painter, Daniel Maclise, in Co. Cork 1880 - Charles S. Parnell addresses the U.S. Congress 1882 - Birth in Dublin of James Joyce 1882 - James Stephens, poet and novelist, is born in Dublin 1903 - Birth of Hilton Edwards, actor and producer 1918 - Former Heavyweight champion John L. Sullivan dies 1922 - James Joyce's "Ulysses" published in Paris - on his birthday 1936 - Birth of Tony Ryan, aviation entrepreneur, in Co. Tipperary 1939 - Desmond O'Malley, Fianna Fáil politician and leader of the Progressive Democrats, is born in Co. Limerick 1972 - The British embassy in Dublin is destroyed by a furious crowd of demonstrators protesting over the shooting deaths of 13 people in Londonderry on Sunday, January 30 1998 - Terror gangs on both sides of the religious divide in the North issue threat and counter-threat as fears grow of another bloody month of sectarian slaughter 2000 - It is announced that cars in the pot holed county of Cavan are failing the National Car Test in bigger numbers than any other part of the country 2000 - The founding President of the University of Limerick, Dr Edward Walsh, is praised for his role in the development of the college at the launch of a book “University of Limerick — a Celebration” which charts the history of UL 2001 - Edna O’Brien receives a lifetime achievement award from the society for Irish writers, Irish PEN, in recognition of her work which spans 25 years 2002 - Spring tides after a full moon, driving rain, gale force southerly winds and low pressure all contribute to the highest water levels on the River Liffey in Dublin since 1924. In the liturgical calendar, today is the feast of Candlemas.
According to some news and sports websites, ESPN anchorwoman Dana Jacobson graphically attacked Jesus Christ at a recent roast of her colleagues; she was reportedly intoxicated. At the January 11 event, Jacobson roared from the podium, “F*** Notre Dame,” “F*** Touchdown Jesus,” and finally “F*** Jesus.”
Commenting on this is Catholic League president Bill Donohue:
“When pressed on this issue, ESPN’s response is to e-mail a statement by Jacobson, which includes the following: ‘My remarks about Notre Dame were foolish and insensitive. I respect all religions and did not mean anything derogatory by my poorly chosen words.’
“This response fails on several counts. First, there is no evidence that ESPN is taking this matter seriously. Are we to believe that her hate speech is of no consequence? Her comments were not made at a private function, rather they were made at a public event where she represented ESPN. Second, it is worth recalling that it was during a luncheon interview that Jimmy ‘The Greek’ Snyder made his racist remarks about blacks, and CBS Sports promptly fired him anyway. Third, it is also important to note that being drunk didn’t help Mel Gibson’s case when he made bigoted remarks about Jews.
“Then there is the matter of Jacobson’s so-called apology. By far the most offensive thing she said, ‘F*** Jesus,’ isn’t even addressed! It is obvious, then, that neither Jacobson nor ESPN is dealing with this matter in a professional way. To put this issue behind them, ESPN must deal with this issue quickly, publicly and fairly, something it has yet to do. After all, most Christians are yet unaware of this event, but once they learn of it, they are sure to demand accountability.”
If concerned; send a complaint email to: MIKE.SOLTYS@espn.com (VP of communications).
I sent my email this morning.
Many thanks to AOH 32 Brother Bill Carr for making us aware of this disgraceful action.
1) You will never play professional basketball - or if you, you won't be that good.
2) You swear very well.
3) At least one of your cousins is a fireman, cop, bar owner, funeral home owner or holds political office.
4) You think you sing very well.
5) You have no idea how to make a long story short.
6) There isn't a big difference between you losing your temper or killing someone...
7) Much of your childhood meals were boiled.
8) You have never hit your head on a ceiling.
9) You spent a good portion of your childhood kneeling in prayer (ya know ya were thinkin' about bein' bad whether ya did it or not).
10) You're strangely poetic after a few beers.
11) You are, therefore, poetic a lot.
12) You will be punched for no good reason...a lot.
13) Some punches directed at you are from legacies of past generations.
14) Many of your sisters and/or cousins are named Mary, Catherine or Eileen... and there is at least one member of your family with the full name of Mary Catherine Eileen.
15) You may not know the words, but that doesn't stop you from singing.
16) You can't wait for the other guy to stop talking before you start talking.
17) There wasn't a huge difference between your last Wake and your last keg party.
18) You are, or know someone, named Murph.
19) If you don't know Murph then you know Mac. If you don't know Murph or Mac then you know Sully. Then you probably know Sully McMurphy.
20) You are genetically incapable of keeping a secret.
21) You have Irish Alzheimer's... your forget everything but your grudges!
22) "Irish Stew" is a euphemism for "boiled left overs."
23) All of your losses are alcohol related (loss of virginity, loss of drivers license, loss of money, loss of job, loss of significant other, loss of teeth from punch...) but it never stops you from drinking.
January 20 1621 - Patents are granted for plantations in parts of Leitrim, King's County, Queen's County and Westmeath 1841 - James Armour, Presbyterian minister and political activist is born in Ballymoney, Co. Antrim 1902 - Kevin Barry, medical student and nationalist revolutionary, is born in Dublin 1902 - In the House of Commons, John Redmond criticizes the use of concentration camps by the British in South Africa 1916 - Secret negotiations result in alliance of the Irish Citizen Army with the Irish Republican Brotherhood 1961 - John F. Kennedy is inaugurated as president of the United States of America, becoming the first Irish Catholic to be elected to that office 1968 - Birth of Charlie Swan, jockey 1973 - Whiskey In The Jar by Thin Lizzy enters the British charts 1998 - Hope remain high that the IRA ceasefire will hold despite escalating violence in the North and Sinn Féin's implacable opposition to the Anglo-Irish blueprint 1999 - The Loyalist Volunteer Force announces plans for a second round of arms decommissioning which could include the handover of explosives 1999 - One of the world's biggest software piracy investigations identifies over 6,000 Internet sites in Ireland copying and promoting illegal software 2000 - According to a major international survey, Ireland is one of the least corrupt countries in the industrial world 2002 - Rioting erupts on the streets of north Belfast as angry mobs throw petrol bombs and blast bombs at police.
January 21 1600 - Charles Blount, 8th Lord Mountjoy, becomes Lord Deputy of Ireland 1684 - Chidley Coote, future MP for Kilmallock, is granted £500 for the upkeep of six lighthouses 1793 - Louis XVI is executed in Paris; he is attended by an Irish priest, Fr. Edgeworth. Lord Edward FitzGerald is the only member of the Irish parliament not to appear in mourning following the execution 1861 - Katherine Tynan, poet, novelist and journalist, is born 1876 - James Larkin, organizer of Irish Transport and General Workers' Union and socialist politician, is born in Liverpool 1919- Daíl Éireann, chaired by Sean T. O’Kelly meets for the very first time at Mansion House in Dublin 1919 - Two members of Royal Irish Constabulary are shot dead by Irish Volunteers including Seán Treacy and Dan Breen in an ambush at Soloheadbeg, Co. Tipperary: this is regarded as the first incident in the 'War of Independence' (Anglo-Irish War). Attacks on policemen continue for the rest of the year 1998 - A controversialL deal is agreed by the British and Irish governments to transfer the IRA gang which carried out the Guildford and Woolwich bombings to Portlaoise prison 1998 - The North is plunged into a new crisis after Benedict Hughes, a Catholic, is shot dead in south Belfast in the latest murder aimed at wrecking the peace process 1998 - The IRA dramatically rejects the Anglo-Irish Stormont settlement plan 2002 - Sinn Féin MPs will never sit in the British parliament, Gerry Adams vows as they move into Commons offices for the first time. Party policy is also changed to allow MPs to sit in the Dáil.
January 22 1761 - Birth of Henry Welbore Agar (Ellis), 2nd Viscount Clifden, perhaps the only person to sit consecutively in four different Houses of Parliament - the two in Ireland and the two in England 1856 - Alfred Godley, classical scholar and writer, is born in Ashfield, Co. Cavan 1901 - Queen Victoria dies; Edward VII accedes to the throne 1913 - Cardinal William Conway, Primate of All Ireland from 1963-1977, is born 1925 - Raymond Crotty, radical economist, is born in Co. Kilkenny 1967 - Eleanor McEvoy, musician, singer and songwriter, is born in Dublin 1972 - Éamon Broy, agent for Michael Collins, and later Commissioner of the Garda Síochána, passes away 1972 - The Republic of Ireland signs a treaty of accession to the European Economic Community 1997 - Death of Lilly Kempson, aged 99, the last surviving participant in the Easter Rising 1998 - It is announced that up to 1 million ounces of high grade gold have been discovered in a mine in Co. Monaghan that will result in the country's biggest ever gold mine going into production in two years time 1999 - Pop concerts can be held at Lansdowne Road, Dublin, without the need for planning permission, the Supreme Court decides in a unanimous decision 2002 - It is announced that one of the British Army's main bases in Northern Ireland is to close and its 500 soldiers moved back to Britain. Ebrington barracks in the Waterside area of Londonderry is expected to be cleared by the end of next year 2003 - Amid much fanfare and brouhaha, quads Kelly, Katie, Shannon and Amy Murphy return to Cork’s Erinville Maternity Hospital for their first birthday celebration
January 23 1774 - Dudley Cosby (Baron Sydney), former MP for Carrick, commits suicide: 'Our domestic news is first the death of Lord Sydney occasioned by a dose of Danish poison. His lordship to render himself agreeable to his lady upon their marriage stopped two issues he had in his thighs but found no ill effects until the 13th inst. when, after a night of great exercise by dancing, his temper and reason as appears since, was in some sort affected; however, not so much as to make those about him immediately suspect it or the consequence. He complained of indisposition and sent for a physician. He republished his will leaving his estate to Capt. Cosby of the Navy and added a codicil leaving the jewels he bought for his wife (whom in his delirium he was jealous of) and the family china to his sister Lady Farnham, after which being disappointed in an attempt to shoot himself and one to poison himself, he took on (this date) the dose which was sufficiently strong to carry him off in a few hours' 1803 - Arthur Guinness, founder of the Dublin brewery, dies 1881 - William O'Brien, trade unionist and Labour politician, is born near Clonakilty, Co. Cork 1898 - The United Irish League, a nationalist electoral organization, is founded by William O'Brien 1999 - Two blast bomb attacks target Catholic homes in the seaport town of Larne, Co Antrim 2000 - A historic show of Christian unity takes place as the Bishop of Cork and Ross, Dr John Buckley, appeals to parishioners at Cork Masses to make contributions to a multi million pound restoration programme of a Protestant cathedral in Cork city centre 2000 - Five grey Seals are released into the sea at Cullenstown Strand, Co. Wexford. The seals had been kept in the seal sanctuary in Co. Dublin while recovering from injuries. This the largest amount of seals to be released at one time 2000 - More than 20,000 people gather on the streets of West Belfast in memory of IRA teenager, Tom Williams, who was hanged in 1942 for his part in the murder of an RUC man 2001 - Irish airport charges are among the cheapest in the world, the latest independent study of the sector has found 2001 - It is announced that the State is in negotiation with a private landowner to purchase the internationally renowned Poulnabrone dolmen in the Burren, Co. Clare 2003 - The Irish and British governments agree to plans for an all-out push to restore the North’s power-sharing Executive.
January 24 1851 - Charles Plummer, Irish language scholar and editor of Lives of the Irish Saints, is born 1920 - Death of Percy French, writer of many popular Irish songs, including the Mountains of Mourne 1921 - Patrick Scott, artist, is born in Kilbrittain, Co. Cork 1933 - Fianna Fáil wins a general election 1969 - Brian Faulkner resigns from his position as Prime Minister Terence O'Neill's minister of commerce, furthering the split in the Unionist party 1973 - Death of piper and folklorist, Willie Clancy 1974 - The official Unionist Party is founded 1978 - Eddie Gallagher and Dr. Rose Dugdale, both jailed for their part in the kidnap of Tiede Herrema, are married in Limerick prison 1998 - In west Belfast, Loyalists kill taxi driver, John McColgan by shooting him in the back of the head. It is the sixth sectarian murder in a week 1999 - After months of negotiations and two special delegate conferences, Democratic Left merges with the Labour Party 2000 - Tánaiste Mary Harney warns the IRA to begin decommissioning or run the risk of derailing the Northern peace process 2001 - Government sources say the resignation of Northern Secretary Peter Mandelson is not a major setback to the peace process 2002 - Irish doctors are among the worst-paid in Europe and charge less than they need to run a viable business, according to the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO).
January 25 1356 - The 1st Earl of Desmond dies; Kildare is his replacement as justiciar 1627 - Robert Boyle, physicist, chemist and alchemist, is born in Lismore, Co. Waterford 1777 - The Earl of Buckinghamshire, who eventually conceded free trade and some relief from the Penal Laws to Catholics and Dissenters, is sworn in as lord lieutenant 1831 - Edmund Hogan, Jesuit and scholar, is born in Cork 1924 - Charles McCarthy, trade unionist, is born in Cork 1924 - Tomás Mac Giolla, republican and socialist, and later, Workers' Party leader, is born near Nenagh, Co. Tipperary 1998 - The Irish Seaspray plant in Lettermore, Co. Galway is extensively damaged after two explosions rip through the facility and start a major fire 1999 - The Government descends into chaos over allegations that European Commissioner Pádraig Flynn received a donation of £50,000 ten years ago and that the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, knew about it 1999 - Ireland's first day centre for refugees is opened in Dublin by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern 2001 - The new Northern Ireland Secretary, Dr. John Reid, pledges to carry forward the Good Friday Agreement 2001 - Thousands gather in Ballinamallard, Co. Fermanagh for the funerals of rally champion Bertie Fisher and two of his children, Emma, and Mark - also a renowned driver.
January 26 1316 - At the battle of Ardscull, Co. Kildare, Edward the Bruce defeats the army of Justiciar Edmund Butler. The Scottish dead are buried in the graveyard attached to the Dominican Priory in Athy which occupies the area on the east bank of the River Barrow. Among those buried are two Scottish chiefs, Lord Fergus Andressan and Lord Walter de Morrey 1699 - The second session of William III's second Irish parliament ends on this date 1716 - Birth of Lord George Sackville (-Germain), soldier, politician and MP for Portarlington 1799 - Thomas Charles Wright, officer in Bolivar's army and founder of the Ecuadorian naval school, is born in Drogheda, Co. Louth 1871 - Sir Arthur du Cros, pioneer of pneumatic tyre industry, is born in Dublin 1904 - Birth of Seán MacBride, IRA leader, politician, head of Amnesty International, and recipient of Nobel and Lenin peace prizes 1907 - Synge's Playboy of the Western World is performed for the first time at the Abbey Theatre, Dublin; the audience riots because of the bad language and negative perspective on Irish peasant life 1998 - Fears of a backlash heighten in the North due to the removal from the peace talks of the Ulster Democratic Party because of the recent spate of sectarian murders 1998 - The trial of a Dublin man accused of the murder of journalist, Veronica Guerin, is adjourned until June by the Special Criminal Court 1999 - Irish swimming takes its first step towards a fresh beginning following a series of child sex abuse scandals with the creation of a new identity, Swim Ireland 2000 - Tánaiste Mary Harney announces that the new minimum pay rate of £4.40 per hour will apply from April 1 2000 - Amid reports that Britain is drawing up emergency legislation to re-impose direct rule on Northern Ireland, the IRA faces renewed pressure to start decommissioning its arsenal 2000 - Supporters of ancient herbal remedies stage a wake in Dublin mourning the death of the free availability of the herb St John’s Wort, which can now only be obtained on prescription 2001 - Motorists crossing Dublin’s East and West Links will have to pay an extra 20p following a VAT hike 2001 - AN Bord Pleanála gives the go ahead for a £35 million leisure, residential and shopping development in Limerick.
To all of you who have served in the United States Armed Services and to those who are currently serving, I thank you with more than mere words can describe.
January 13 1695 - Jonathan Swift becomes Dean of St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin 1800 - Daniel O'Connell makes his first public speech, opposing Union with England 1880 - Alexander Brenon, film director, is born in Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin 1931 - Mary Clarke, Maryknoll nun and martyr is born of Irish parents in NYC 1935 - Eibhin Nic Choill (Eleanor Hill) Irish Celtic scholar dies 1941 - James Joyce, considered by many to be one of the most important modern authors in English because of his revolutionary approach to the novel, dies in Zurich 1964 - Ulster golfer Ronan Rafferty is born 1998 - Northern Ireland takes another giant step towards peace after the political parties at Stormont accept the British and Irish governments blueprint as the basis for negotiation 2000 - A record-breaking 55 people are presented with the President’s Gold Awards at a special ceremony in A´ras an Uachtaráin 2000 - It is announced that a 1,000 year old treasure trove has been discovered by a tour guide cleaning up litter from a Co Kilkenny cave. The priceless Viking age silver and bronze jewellery is unique - nothing like them have been found in Ireland or elsewhere 2001 - One and a half copies of the most important piece of documentation of the 20th century in Ireland, the Declaration of Independence, is sold to a New York collector for £56,000 2003 - It is announced that the Government is to undertake a major review of Gaeltacht areas amid concerns of a dramatic fall-off in Irish language use in many areas.
January 14
1753 - Death of George Berkeley, Irish philosopher and Anglican 1775 - John Hely-Hutchinson, Provost of Trinity College, fights a duel with William Doyle over abusive newspaper articles. Doyle is ill and has to lean on a crutch at the duel; on being challenged he had initially complained of sore eyes, and 'objected to stand merely to be shot at, without the power of retaliation'. Neither party is injured. One of the Provost's sons wishes to fight a further duel with Doyle, but the authorities prevent this; they then go abroad and hold the duel, neither being injured 1871 - Alexander Sullivan, barrister and last King's Serjeant of Ireland, is born in Dublin 1937 - De Valera's new constitution, with its assertions of Ireland as a sovereign 32-county state, and its definition of Catholic morality and "women's place" is approved 1965 - Talks between Seán Lemass, Taoiseach, and Terence O'Neill, Northern Ireland Prime Minister, take place in Belfast 2000 - Unemployment drops to its lowest level in 19 years 2000 - Unionist politicians are furious after Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams claims that there could be a united Ireland by the year 2016, the centenary of the Easter Rising 2000 - Eco Warriors and the Green Party meet with members of Wicklow County Council in a last ditch attempt to get the local authority to abandon its controversial road widening scheme in the Glen of the Downs.
January 15 1775 - Thomas Dermody, classical scholar and poet is born 1798 - Thomas Crofton Croker, antiquarian and folklorist, is born in Cork 1800 - The last session of the Irish parliament begins on this date 1821 - Thomas Clarke Luby, Fenian, is born in Dublin 1825 - Thomas, 2nd Viscount Newcomen, commits suicide after the failure of Newcomen's Bank 1835 - Birth of Patrick Guiney, soldier and politician, in Parkstown, Co. Tipperary 1860 - Eleanor Hull, Irish Celtic Scholar is born 1861 - Young Irelander Terence MacManus dies in San Francisco, CA 1939 - IRA Army Council and Republican survivors of 2nd Dáil Éireann declare war on England 1920 - Sinn Féin takes control of most borough and urban councils in local elections 1961 - Dave MacAuley, world flyweight boxing champion, IBF,1989-92, is born in Larne, Co. Antrim 1973 - Ireland joins the European Investment bank 1988 - Sean McBride, Irish patriot and human rights activist, dies. 2007 - Dublin-boorn actress Pauline Delaney, who is best known for her role in Circle of Friends and Into The West, passes away from complications caused by from Parkinson's disease. In the liturgical calendar, today is the feast of St. Ita.
January 16 1700 - Richard Levinge, an Irish MP and later a prominent Tory, is committed by the English House of Commons to the Tower of London until 11 April for speaking ill of his fellow Commissioners of Forfeited Estates 1707 - Robert Allen, a future MP, elopes with the daughter of Robert Johnson MP: Johnson writes to Ormonde on 16 January that Allen 'has stolen a marriage with my daughter; no consent or acquainting of him with me. I fancy they will find they have two very difficult fathers to persuade to part with anything to either of them.' In 1730 Allen will be satirized viciously by Jonathan Swift 1816 - Frances Browne, writer, is born in Stranorlar, Co. Donegal 1822 - Thomas Clark Luby, co-founder of the Fenian Brotherhood, is born 1900 - Frank Devlin, badminton player, is born in Dublin 1904 - In reaction to attacks on Jews in Limerick, Michael Davitt, a leader of the Irish Land League, protests "as an Irishman and a Catholic against this spirit of barbarous malignity" 1913 - Home Rule bill passes in the House of Commons 1920 - Percy French gives his last concert in Glasgow. He dies in Liverpool eight days later 1922 - Michael Collins takes over control of Dublin Castle from the British authorities on behalf of the new Irish state 1935 - Gobnaitt NiBhruadair (Albinia Broderick), Irish republican activist, dies 1981 - Northern Ireland civil rights campaigner and former Westminster MP, Bernadette McAliskey, is shot by gunmen who burst into her home at Coalisland in County Tyrone 2000 - For his adaptations of the work of William Shakespeare, Belfast born actor and director Kenneth Branagh becomes the youngest winner of the Gielgud award 2001 - Hough’s Pub in Lorrha, Co Tipperary retains the title of "The Cheapest Pint" in Ireland. Earning the respect of drinkers everywhere, Pat Hough won’t be raising the price of a pint of plain above £1.50 2002 - Richard Haass, US President George Bush's special adviser on Northern Ireland, urges Sinn Féin to drop its objections to the new Police Board 2002 - Joe White of Rathmire, Co. Kerry becomes one of the oldest people in the country to pass the driving test. He began driving in Ireland more than 60 years ago, went to the USA and returned last year to find his Irish license had long lapsed. It took two attempts, but the sprightly 84-year-old proved age, bad roads or fast drivers need not be a barrier to passing the test.
January 17 1649 - Marquis of Ormond James Butler and the confederates sign a peace treaty which grants toleration for Catholics in exchange for troops 1815 - Marie-Louise O'Morphi, famous courtesan, dies in Paris 1856 - Joseph Hayden, Irish journalist, dictionary compiler and author of Dictionary of Dates, dies 1860 - Birth in Castlerea, Co. Roscommon, of Douglas Hyde, playwright, folklorist, founder of The Gaelic League and the first president of Éire 1861 - Lola Montez (Marie Gilbert), dancer and courtesan dies in New York 1866 - Death of George Petrie, folk music collector who is credited with preserving many of Ireland’s irreplaceable harp tunes 1873 - T.C. Murray, playwright, is born in Macroom, Co. Cork 1964 - The Campaign for Social Justice (CSJ) is formed. It is the forerunner of the civil rights movement and begins a programme of publicising what it sees as widespread discrimination, in a number of areas of life, against Catholics in Northern Ireland 1992 - Seven Protestant constructions workers at a security base in Co. Tyrone are killed by an IRA bomb. The driver of their bus also dies 2000 - Galway city centre is brought to a standstill as hundreds of student nurses take to the streets to protest at plans to charge them to finish their nursing courses 2000 - A pair of King Billy’s gloves, worn during the battle of the Boyne, and the dress worn by Sinéad de Valera at the second inauguration ceremony of her husband, President Éamon de Valera, are unlikely companions in The Way We Wore, a permanent exhibition of the clothing and jewellery worn by Irish people from the1760s to the 1960s which opens at the National Museum, Collins Barracks.
January 18 1667 - Cattle exports to England are prohibited 1671 - Catholic gentry present petition to Charles II 1779 - Cement Patent No. 1207 is issued to Sligo-man Bryan Higgins 1811 - Charles Kean, actor, is born in Waterford 1831 - Daniel O’Connell is convicted of conspiracy 1913 - The Irish Transport and General Workers' Union strike ends 1928 - Birth of Daniel Bradley, physicist 1930 - Breandán Ó hEithir, writer and broadcaster, is born in Cill Rónáin, Aran Islands 1934 - Joseph Devlin, Irish nationalist dies 1937 - Birth of John Hume, nationalist politician, in Derry/Londonderry 1997 - Death of Gerard Slevin, the Corkman who designed the EU flag 1998 - The fourth revenge killing of a Catholic by LVF murder squads since ruthless warlord Billy Wright was gunned down, is committed in Maghera, Co. Derry 2000 - The improvement in the hospitality scene in Ireland is proven by the addition of 54 hotels and 27 restaurants to the prestigious Michelin Guide 2001 - The right of Travellers to pursue their traditional lifestyle on their own land was yesterday rejected by the European Court of Human Rights 2002 - Taoiseach Bertie Ahern pays tribute to the former Fianna Fáil TD, Jim Tunney, who died yesterday. Mr Tunney, was a former minister of state and deputy in Dublin North-West for two decades. He also served a term as Lord Mayor of Dublin and was co-chairman of the British-Irish inter-parliamentary body. A stylish dresser, he always wore a flower in his lapel and was called the Yellow Rose of Finglas by friends and colleagues. He was 78 2002 - Political history is made today as the Fianna Fáil-Progressive Democrats coalition becomes the longest-serving government in the State. After taking office on June 26, 1997, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern's minority government is serving its 1,666th day in office.
January 19
1739 - Birth of Arthur Wolfe, 1st Viscount Kilwarden and Lord Chief Justice in Forenaghts, Co. Kildare 1787 - Birth in Cork of Mary Aikenhead, founder of the Irish Sisters of Charity and St. Vincent’s Hospital Dublin 1793 - Hugh Cane, MP for Tallow, dies from a fall down stairs 1920 - IRA attacks Drombrane barracks, Co. Tipperary 1949 - Dennis Taylor, snooker player and world champion in 1985, is born in Coalisland, Co. Tyrone 1963 - Playwright Teresa Deevy dies 1964 - Birth of Richard Dunwoody, jockey, in Comber, Co. Down 1983 - The Minister for Justice, Michael Noonan, reveals that the previous Fianna Fáil administration was involved in tapping the phones of Journalists Geraldine Kennedy and Bruce Arnold 1985 - Death of Dublin-born actor Wilfrid Brambell, aka Old man Steptoe 1988 - Dublin writer Christopher Nolan, who cannot move or speak because of an accident at birth, wins the Whitbread Book of the Year 1998 - The Northern peace process are close to collapse after a 52-year-old Catholic taxi driver is killed in an attack which bears all the hallmarks of the UDA/UFA 2003 - Disgraced celebrity chef Tim Allen moves to protect his multi-million euro family business, announcing he is ceasing all connection with the Ballymaloe Cookery School and hotel.
A little new feature to our AOH 32 Blog - our Irish Joke of the Week - not to be confused with the Irish Joke of the Year - and you know who you are!
Hope you like and feel free to comment and contribute. Here we go! Paddy and Mick are walking down a street in London.
Paddy happens to look in one of the shop windows and sees a sign that catches his eye. The sign said "Suits @ £5.00 each, Shirts @ £2.00 each, Trousers @ £2.50 per pair."
Paddy says to his pal, "Mick, look! We could buy a whole lot of dose, and when we get back to Ireland, we could make a fortune. Now when we go into the shop, you be quiet, okay? Just let me do all the talking cause if they hear your accent, they might not be nice to us. I'll speak in my best English accent."
"Roight y'are, Paddy, I'll keep me mouth shut, so I will." Says Mick. They go in and Paddy says, "I'll take 50 suits at @ £5.00 each, 100 shirts at @ £2.00 each and 50 pairs of trousers at @ £2.50 each. I'll back up my truck and . . ."
The owner of the shop interrupts, "You're from Ireland, aren't you?"
"Well ..... yes," says a surprised Paddy. "How d'y'know dat?
During the Great Famine over a Million Irish died or had to leave there home land and go to other countries such as America. The Ships they went in were known as Coffin Ships. Plague and illness as well as starvation was widespread. Many people died on these Ships before they ever got to reach new land. A great song performed by the Wolfe Tones.
January 6 1562 - Shane O'Neill submits to Queen Elizabeth at Whitehall, but rebels again within months 1654 - Commissioners are appointed to allot the land of Oliver Cromwell's Connacht plantation to transplanted Irish 1794 - Frances Ball who, as Mother Mary Teresa founded the Sisters of Loretto, is born in Dublin 1800 - Author Anna Maria Hall, née Fielding, is born in Dublin 1839 - On this date, the Night Of The Big Wind or Oiche na Gaoithe Moire takes place; the most damaging storm in Irish history, some winds are estimated in excess of 130 m.p.h 1898 - Colonel James Fitzmaurice, Ireland's greatest aviator, is born in Dublin 1931 - Birth of novelist P.J. Kavanagh 1939 - First publication of the newspaper Irish Freedom 1940 - Johnny Giles, footballer and Republic of Ireland manager, is born in Dublin 1941 - Birth of Noel Pearson, theatre impresario and film producer 1998 - Embattled Northern Ireland Secretary of State Mo Mowlam receives the full backing of SDLP leader John Hume in her efforts to maintain the faltering peace process 2000 - Residents in counties in the west and midlands, coping with the effects of the most devastating floods to have hit the region in fifty years, brace themselves for another rainstorm 2000 - Families from all over Ireland join President Mary McAleese and her family in A´ras an Uachtaráin in Dublin to celebrate the feast of the Holy Family. Bay laurels from Bethlehem are planted to mark the 2000th anniversary since the birth of Christ 2003 - According to a study published today, the Irish language is on the brink of extinction unless radical measures are taken to arrest its decline 2003 - Farmers put 1,000 tractors on the country’s roads and head for Dublin at the start of the IFA’s five-day family farm survival campaign. 2003 - The campaign against the construction of a motorway near the ruins of Carrickmines Castle in South Dublin is stepped up as protesters re-erect a blockade to prevent large diggers moving onto the site. In the liturgical calendar, today is Epiphany and the Feast of the Holy Family.
January 7 1878 - General John O'Neill, Fenian leader, dies 1899 - Elizabeth Bowen, novelist and short story writer, is born 1922 - Dáil Éireann votes 64 to 57 to accept the Anglo-Irish Treaty, creating the Irish Free State 2000 - Experts underline the important heritage value of a 19th Century relic that stands on the site of a disused copper mine. A conservation appeal is to be launched to safeguard a unique engine house at a mountain mine in the Beara peninsula. A rare surviving symbol of Cornish type mining technology, the structure is the primary surviving embodiment of a once thriving coppermining industry in Allihies, Co. Cork 2001 - Irish soil is sprinkled over the casket of Sister Theresa Egan as more than 2,000 mourners attend her funeral in St Lucia. The nun was brutally murdered while attending Mass last week 2003 - Gardaí adopt a zero tolerance-type approach to speeding after it emerges almost half of motorists in Dublin are still breaking the law in built-up areas.
January 8 1547 - Henry VIII suppresses the Chapter of St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin; it will not be restored until 15 June 1555 1860 - The Church of St Andrew in Suffolk Street, Dublin, is destroyed by fire 1871 - James Craig, Ist Viscount Craigavon, Unionist politician and PM of Northern Ireland from 1921 to 1940, is born in Belfast 1873 - Home Rule Confederation of Great Britain is founded 1876 - Lucien Bul, inventor of the electrocardiograph, is born in Dublin 1916 - Evacuation of Gallipoli Peninsula in the Dardanelles is completed; there are100,000 casualties, mostly Australian, New Zealanders and Irish, in the eight-month campaign 1922 - Arthur Griffin is elected second president of Ireland by Dáil Éireann 1979 - An oil tanker explodes at Whiddy Island oil terminal on Bantry Bay, Cork, killing at least 50 people 1998 - The first licensed drug to treat mild to moderately severe Alzheimer's disease is launched in Ireland 1999 - French, Irish, English and Dutch relatives gather at the hilltop granite memorial sculpture in Bantry's Abbey Cemetery for a wreath-laying ceremony in memory of those who perished when the oil tanker Betelgeuse blew up at the Whiddy Island oil terminal 1999 - The British Government comes under pressure to stop the early release of prisoners in Northern Ireland after an upsurge in paramilitary shootings and beatings 2000 - Thousands of acres are still flooded, roads blocked and farmyards remain under water after the River Shannon bursts its banks 2001 - All schools are to receive a CD ROM of one of the masterpieces of Western art — the Book of Kells. On behalf of the schools, the Minister for Education and Science, Dr Michael Woods, accepts the CD ROMs from Trinity College Library in Dublin and leading internet company, X Communications 2002 - Thousands of commuters experience delays after fallen cables knock out DART services at some of Dublin's busiest stations 2002 - Former Soviet leader Gorbachev sinks a pint of Guinness with Dublin Lord Mayor Michael Mulcahy in the famous Doheny and Nesbitt pub in Baggot Street. 2007 - Northern ireland’s Progressive Unionist Party leader David Ervine dies at age 53 after suffering a heart attack and later a stroke and a brain haemorrhage. A former UVF prisoner and a key figure in brokering the loyalist paramilitary ceasefire of 1994, a party statement is quoted as saying: "Unionism has lost the most progressive voice of this generation. Politics has lost a statesman. Our peace process has lost its most optimistic advocate and Ulster has lost a devoted son.”
January 9 1642 - 30 Catholics are killed by the Scottish garrison and English settlers at Island Magee, Co. Antrim 1873 - John J. Flanagan, hammer-thrower and shot-putter, is born in Kilbreedy, Co. Limerick 1900 - Birth of Harry Kernoff in London, artist; resident of Dublin from the time he was 14 years old 1904 - George Buchanan, poet, novelist and journalist, is born in Kilwaughter, Co. Down 1922 - Arthur Griffith is elected Taoiseach of Dáil Éireann after Eamon de Valera steps down 1929 - Brian Friel, playwright and author of Dancing at Lughnasa, is born near Omagh, Co. Tyrone 1951 - The Northern and Southern governments agree on the running of the Great Northern Railway 1952 - Birth of Danny Morrison, former publicity officer for Sinn Féin, and now a novelist 1962 - Birth of Ray Houghton, footballer 1998 - Mo Mowlam, risks her political future in talks with loyalist paramilitaries inside the Maze prison in a desperate bid to save the troubled Northern Ireland peace process 2000 - Boy band Westlife retains their place at the top of the charts to become the first act in more than a year to hang on at number one for longer than three weeks 2001 - For the first time ever, electric power comes to the tiny islands of Inishgort and Inishlyre in Clew Bay 2002 - Former soviet leader, Mikhail Gorbachev, accepts the honour of being named the 71st Freeman of Dublin, following in the footsteps of Pope John Paul II, Nelson Mandela and members of U2 2002 - Police are attacked with bricks and bombs by rioters from both sides of the sectarian divide, as bigotry and violence flare again at the Holy Cross Primary School in Ardoyne, north Belfast.
January 10 1751 - Cornelius Bolton, politician, Volunteer and improving landlord is born 1814 - Aubrey Thomas De Vere, a poet who adapted early Gaelic tales, is born 1922 - Arthur Griffith elected President of Irish Free State 1952 - An Aer Lingus aeroplane, the St Kevin, crashes in Wales with the loss of 23 lives. It is the airline's second fatal crash 1969 - Civil rights leaders in Northern Ireland defying police orders and refuse to abandon their planned march through Newry in Co. Down 2000 - The Lodge and Spa at Inchydoney Island, Clonakilty, County Cork, is the AA Hotel of the Year 2002 - A new chapter in Irish literary history is written with the publication of The Last Tango in Ibiza, which was penned by first-time authors who include a nun and several grannies 2003 - Farmers drive 300 tractors into the city and hold a two-hour rally in front of Government Buildings at Merrion Square 2003 - Feared loyalist paramilitary chief Johnny Mad Dog Adair is arrested and sent back to jail. Adair will not now be released from prison until January 2005
January 11 1836 - George Sigerson, physician, professor and writer, is born near Strabane, Co. Tyrone 1921 - The British government announces that any unauthorised person found in possession of arms, ammunition or explosives is liable to be executed 1925 - Birth of David Wylie Bleakley, writer and Northern Ireland Labour Party politician 1970 - IRA splits into Officials and Provisionals (Provos) 1972 - Padraic Colum, Longford poet and playwright, dies 1998 - The Government plays down reports of a rift between Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and British Prime Minister Tony Blair 1999 - The Democratic Unionist Party warns that it would mount a legal challenge if Northern Ireland Secretary Mo Mowlam moves to announce a power-sharing Executive without the Assembly approving the new government structures 2000 - Furious farmers block the entrances to all the main meat processing plants in protest against the imposition of increased veterinary inspection charges 2002 - The country's population is set for another dramatic increase after Ireland records the highest birth rate and lowest death rate of all 15 EU member states in 2001.
January 12 1709 - Birth of Benjamin Burton, politician and Revenue Commissioner 1729 - Edmund Burke, orator, statesman and philosopher, is born in Arran Quay, Dublin 1765 - The Kinsale by-election caused by the death of John Folliott on this date is contested by Agmondisham Vesey and Richard Meade. Vesey wins by 64 votes to 48, but pays a price for being elected: William Dennis, vintner, receives £80 for Mr Vesey's entertainment. Three other innkeepers receive a total of £76 3s 6d for providing 'drink for Mr Vesey's health' and a further £14 9s for beer to the populace. His election agent, James Dennis, spends £46 12s 2d to send a coach and post-chaise to Dublin to collect voters. Vesey spends a further £12 7s 10d on 'a notice to disqualify John O'Grady as a Papist from voting'. Ben Hayes, fiddler, is paid £5 13s 9d. Vesey's election breakages bill amounts to £7 8s, exclusive of fines for 'a crowd of broke heads and crakt limbs'. James Kearney (a future MP for Kinsale) spends £16 4s 3d to bring voters to Kinsale on Vesey's behalf: this includes a post-chaise and hospitality on the four-day journey 1885 - Thomas Ashe, patriot and nationalist revolutionary, is born in Lispole, Co. Kerry 1887 - Molly Allgood, actress (stage name Máire O'Neill) and fiancée of Synge, is born in Dublin 1930 - Birth of Jennifer Johnston, author of How Many Miles to Babylon and The Railway Station Man 1947 - Matt Molloy of the Chieftains is born 1947 - Micheal O'Siadhail, poet and linguist, is born in Dublin 1951 - Birth of Steve Travers, surviving member of the Miami Showband massacre, and managing director of CAT Entertainments 1993 - A Fianna Fáil-Labour coalition government is formed, with Reynolds as Taoiseach 1998 - Political master strokes by Bertie Ahern and Tony Blair breath new life into the Northern peace process with a blueprint for peace which could replace the Anglo-Irish Agreement with a three-stranded government for the North 2000 - Despite the controversy over the book, Limerick people turnout in huge numbers to attend the sell out film premiere of Angela’s Ashes.
December 30 1691 - Robert Boyle, pioneer chemist and physicist dies 1830 - William Lewery Blackley, cleric and social reformer, is born in Dundalk, Co. Louth 1975 - Mark Clinton, the Minister for Agriculture, notifies Trinity College that all future state funds for veterinary medicine would be allocated to University College 1997 - Key files from the Department of Defence, the Department of Justice and the Office of the Attorney General relating to the Arms Crisis of 1970 are discovered to be missing from the State archives 1997 - Thousands of loyalists pack the streets of Portadown for the funeral of LVF commander Billy Wright 2002 - To mark the 400th anniversary of the exodus of the O’Sullivan Beare clan from West Cork to Leitrim, a group of 40 people begins walking the entire 260-mile route which will take them through 11 counties and about two weeks to complete.
December 31 1602 - The O’Sullivan Beara’s are driven out of West Cork by the English who had defeated the combined Spanish and Irish forces at the Battle of Kinsale. Dónal Cam O’Sullivan, chieftain of the clan, begins the long march to Leitrim on this date, where he hopes to gain sanctuary with the O’Rourke’s of Breffni. Accompanying him are 1,000 men, women and children representing the first large-scale exodus of people from the Castletownbere region 1728 - Sylvester O'Halloran, surgeon, founder of Limerick Infirmary, and antiquary, is born in Limerick 1804 - Francis Mahony, 'Father Prout, priest and humorist, is born in Cork 1820 - Novelist Mary Anne Sadlier, née Madden, is born in Cootehill, Co. Cavan 1930 - The appointment of Letitia Dunbar-Harrison as Mayo County Librarian leads to controversy, for reasons related to her lack of Irish-language skill, her disregard of local patronage, and the fact that she's a Protestant; Mayo County Council is dissolved by ministerial order on this date 1961 - Radio Éireann's television service begins transmission on this date 1975 - The Anti-Discrimination (Pay) Act establishes the right to equal pay for equal or like work and provides a system whereby this right may be attained and enforced 1999 - Thousands of people gather at celebrations in towns and cities throughout Ireland to ring in the new millennium.
January 1 1710 - Charles O'Conor, writer, historian and editor, is born in Kilmactranny, Co. Sligo 1767 - Maria Edgeworth, author of Castle Rackrent and one of the few women literary figures of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, is born 1790 - James Wills, clergyman and writer, is born in Castlerea, Co. Roscommon 1801 - The Act of Union between Ireland and Great Britain goes into effect 1801 - George Benn, historian, is born in Tandragee, Co. Armagh 1862 - Edward Harland's Belfast shipyard assumes the name 'Harland & Wolff' 1871 - Gladstone's Irish Church Act which disestablishes the Church of Ireland takes effect 1880 - Gretta Bowen, artist, is born in Dublin 1889 - Patrick McGill, navvy, novelist and poet, is born in Maas, Co. Donegal 1892 - Ellis Island becomes reception center for new immigrants. The first immigrant through the gates is Annie Moore, 15, of Co. Cork 1941 - On this date and through January 3, German bombs fall on counties Carlow, Kildare, Louth, Meath, Wexford and Wicklow 1990 - Northern Ireland Fair Employment Act becomes law 1998 - Foreign Affairs Minister David Andrews urges all sides to show the "greatest possible restraint" in the wake of a sectarian bar-room gun attack which plunges Northern Ireland into an uncertain New Year 1999 - The world's oldest priest, the Venerable Archdeacon Patrick Lyons, passes away at Limerick Regional hospital, just two months before his 106th birthday 2001 - Retired garda sergeant John Fahy from Kinlough, Co Leitrim catches the first salmon of the season. The accomplished angler is also the first salmon fisherman to insert a blue bar coded tag into the gills and mouth of a freshly caught fish. For the first time, every salmon caught by commercial fishermen or leisure anglers will have to be tagged, as part of a new controls on salmon fishing which are in effect as of this date 2002 - Taoiseach Bertie Ahern helps write history by spending euros in his local news-agent.
January 2 1602 - The Spanish force under Aguila surrenders Kinsale to Mountjoy 1793 - A Catholic Committee petition is presented to the king 1880 - Parnell begins his tour of the United States on this date 1910 - James Joyce and Eileen Joyce leave Dublin for Trieste, Italy 1920 - Recruitment begins for the 'Black and Tans', Britain's unofficial auxiliary army 1962 - Margaret Emmeline Conway Dobbs, Irish historian, language activist, and defender of Roger Casement, dies 1998 - Troops are ordered back on to the streets of Belfast and police patrols are intensified in a bid to foil loyalist attacks on Catholics in Northern Ireland 2000 - Patrick O'Brian, born Richard Patrick Russ, 85-year-old author of maritime novels dies in a Dublin hotel 2000 - A bronze life size statue of Fungi, the Dingle dolphin is unveiled in a special millennium ceremony 2001 - Ireland's third largest greyhound coursing meeting, Corn na Féile, is abandoned after saboteurs steal up to 30 hares. 2007 - Irish Becomes The 23rd Official Language Of the EU. It is accorded the status of a treaty language, which means it is regarded as an authentic text for treaties. As from 1 January, however, all key EU legislation are translated into Irish, with provisions put in place so that Irish can be spoken at council meetings. The move means the creation of 29 new posts in translation, revision and publication.
January 3 1663 - Thomas Crompton of Arklow, a clergyman, petitions the House of Lords that 'Constantine Neal of Wexford, merchant, refuseth to restore the bell belonging to the steepl (sic) of Arklow, which he saw in his possession'. An order is made for its restoration 1905 - Pádraic Fallon, poet and playwright, is born in Athenry, Co. Galway 1940 - Emergency anti-IRA legislation is introduced in the Free State 1999 - Economic history is created with the much-heralded arrival of the euro on the international currency markets. Its first day of trading gets off to a smooth start in Australia, at 6.00pm Irish time. 2007 - Michael Yeats, the only son of the poet W. B. Yeats dies at age 86. A former Fianna Fáil Senator, he served both as a Senator and as Cathaoirleach of the Seanad, and was also one of Ireland's first members of the European Parliament.
January 4 1581 - James Ussher, scholar and Archbishop of Armagh and Dublin is born 1792 - The Northern Star, newspaper of the Belfast United Irishmen, first appears on this date 1921 - Martial law is extended to counties Clare, Kilkenny, Waterford and Wexford from this date 1937 - Mick O'Connell, Kerry Gaelic footballer, is born on Beginish Island, Co. Kerry 1969 - On a march from Belfast to Derry, the civil rights group People's Democracy is attacked at Burntollet Bridge 1975 - Eleanor Krott, Irish language scholar and lexicographer, dies 1998 - The LVF appoints a new commanding officer to take over from murdered godfather Billy Wright and in a chilling warning vows it will do all in its power to wreck the teetering peace process 1998 - The governments of Austria and Finland offer their countries as potential neutral grounds for the next wave of Northern Ireland peace talks 1999 - Venerable Archdeacon Patrick Lyons, who, aged 105 years was the world's oldest priest and who died on New Year's Day, is laid to rest in the grounds of the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Ballingarry, Co. Limerick 2000 - Hundreds are evacuated as west and midland farmlands are flooded 2000 - Top RTÉ broadcaster Maxi is set to win a host of new listeners in her new role as presenter/producer of Radio One’s Risin’ Time 2002 - According to a new survey, two out of every three people in Northern Ireland aged between 18-25 say they have no meaningful contact with opposing communities while, generally, people feel more segregated than they did before the North's first ceasefire in 1994 2002 - Irishmen under 25 are the worst-hit by rising unemployment, according to the latest European Union figures 2003 - A group of women begin an anti-war protest at a roundabout close to Shannon Airport against US Air Force landings there.
January 5 1787 - John Burke, genealogist and compiler of Burke's Peerage, is born in Elm Hall, Co. Tipperary 1881 - The trial of the Land Leaguers begins 1871 - 33 Fenian prisoners, including Devoy, Rossa, O'Leary and Luby, are released by the British in a general amnesty 1885 - Hugh O'Brien is sworn in as Boston's first Irish mayor 1922 - Death of Kildareman Sir Ernest Shackleton, Antarctic explorer 1941 - Jennie Wyse Power, Irish patriot and women's rights activist dies 1944 - Louis Stewart, jazz guitarist, is born in Waterford 1976 - The Republican Action Force, a cover name for the IRA, admits to the brutal murder of ten Protestant workmen in what becomes known as the Kingsmill Massacre 2003 - A group of women maintains a vigil at Shannon Airport in protest at US Air Force landings there.
