An Irishman walks into a pub and orders dozens of martinis, removing the olives, placing them in a jar, and drinking the martinis. When the jar is filled with olives and all the martinis drank,
he starts to leave.
The bartender stops him and asks, "Excuse me but, what was that all about?"
The Irishman replies, "My wife sent me out for a jar of olives."
August 31 1767 - Birth in Belfast of Henry Joy McCracken, United Irishman and leader of Ulster insurgents in 1798 rebellion 1803 - French "Irish Legion" organized in Brittany 1806 - Birth in Dublin of Charles Lever; fiction writer who was famous for his rendering of Trinity College's privileged atmosphere 1830 - William Fitzpatrick, biographer and historian, is born in Dublin 1957 - Birth of Colm O'Rourke, Meath Gaelic footballer, in Co. Meath 1994 - IRA announces a cease-fire 1997 - U2 pays tribute to Princess Diana at Dublin concert 2000 - First Minister David Trimble is understood to be involved in secret talks with the Ulster Volunteer Force in an attempt to resolve the bloody loyalist feud raging on the streets of Northern Ireland 2000 - Former SDLP Derry Mayor Annie Courtney is to replace John Hume as an Assembly member for Foyle 2000 - The world’s largest fishing vessel arrives in Dublin after completing its maiden voyage from Norway. "Atlantic Dawn", which took over two and a half years to build in a Norwegian shipyard, cost Irish owner Kevin McHugh £50 million In the liturgical calendar, it is the feast day of St. Aidan.
September 1 1737 - Launch of the Belfast News Letter, now the oldest surviving newspaper in Ireland or Britain, and one of the oldest in the world 1729 - Death of dramatist, essayist and publisher Sir Richard Steele, the Dubliner who founded The Tatler and The Spectator 1789 - Marguerite Gardiner, née Power; Countess of Blessington; author, is born near Clonmel, Co. Tipperary 1814 - Birth of James O'Flanagan, author, in Fermoy, Co. Cork 1830 - Dublin Zoo opens 1830 - The “Wild Colonial Boy” is shot dead in a gun battle with police at Cambelltown, Sydney. Contrary to the popular song, “The Wild Colonial Boy” was John Donohue, transported from Ireland in 1824 1856 - Birth of Irish Nationalist Party leader John Redmond in Ballytrent, Co. Wexford 1864 - Roger Casement, British consular official and Irish nationalist, is born in Sandycove, Co. Dublin 1870 - Isaac Butt founds the Home Government Association; Home Rule is now the objective of constitutional nationalists 1999 - Van Morrison beomes the first inductee to The Hot Press Irish Music Hall of Fame. 1999 - Five-year-old triplets Jake, Melissa and Denis Doherty from Knockanes, Headford, Co. Kerry, arrive for their first day at school in Knockanes National School 2000 - The number of people out of work falls to an 18-year low 2000 - The resumption of normal train services to Westport, Co. Mayo is celebrated with a platform party. Bemused but delighted passengers are greeted with delicacies and glasses of champagne laid on by the local Atlantic Coast Hotel, one of hundreds of establishments in the Mayo region hit financially by the 10 week rail stoppage 2002 - Hugh Orde, Northern Ireland’s new chief constable vows to crack down on paramilitary "godfathers" who have orchestrated a series of unsolved sectarian murders.
September 2 1022 - Maelsechlainn II - "The great high king of Ireland" - dies 1649 - Siege of Drogheda begins 1752 - The Gregorian calendar is adopted in Ireland and Britain, 170 years after mainland Europe: 2 September is followed by 14 September 1731 - Birth of Sir Lucius O'Brien, opposition politician, once described as 'a man who disagrees with the rest of mankind by thinking well of himself' 1784 - Sir Eyre Coote, the elder, dies of apoplexy at sea off Madras, while being pursued by French ships 1893 - Second Home Rule Bill passed by House of Commons 1933 - Cummann na nGaedheal, the Centre Party, and the National Guard, once known as the "Blueshirts", join forces to form Fine Gael 1942 - IRA Volunteer Tom Williams is hanged at Belfast's Crumlin Road Jail 1998 - Sinn Féin formally nominate Mid-Ulster MP Martin McGuinness as its representative to work with the International Commission on Decommissioning 2002 - Ireland forms an alliance with Germany, Austria, Belgium, Denmark and Greece in a bid to limit the expansion of nuclear energy 2002 - A Commission which includes loyalist paramilitaries calls on republican terror groups to join them in achieving calm along sectarian flashpoint areas.
September 3 1654 - The first Protectorate parliament meets; Ireland is represented by 30 members 1781 - Birth of William Sharman Crawford, radical politician, in Co. Down 1821 - The last day of George IV's visit to Ireland 1842 - In Kill, Co. Kildare, birth of John Devoy, journalist and leading member of the Fenians 1850 - Charters are granted to colleges in Belfast (now Queen’s University), Cork (now UCC) and Galway (now UCG), under the Universities (Ireland) Act 1854 - Birth of Fanny Parnell, Land League agitator and sister of Charles Stewart Parnell 1901 - James Hanley, novelist and short story writer, is born in Liverpool of Irish parents 1905 - Birth of James “Snowy” Dunne, widely regarded as one of Ireland’s greatest centre forwards. He played for Arsenal, Southampton and the Shamrock Rovers 1943 - Birth of Liam Maguire, trade unionist and campaigner for disabled people 1963 - Death of poet Louis MacNeice 1972 - Mary Peters wins the women's pentathlon in Munich and becomes the first Irish woman to win an Olympic Gold medal 1998 - Near the scene of the explosion, US President Bill Clinton and British Premier Tony Blair unveil a plaque in memory of the Omagh bombing victims 1998 - New Garda powers come into force which open the way for a clampdown on hardline extremists 2000 - Dom Columba Marmion, a Dublin priest who is credited with curing an American woman of cancer, is beatified by Pope John Paul II In the liturgical calendar, it is the feast day of St. MacNis, baptised by St. Patrick, and later consecrated Bishop by the Saint.
September 4 1798 - Cornwallis moves forward from Tuam to attack Castlebar Humbert leaves Castlebar with 800 French troops and 1000 Irish rebels and moves into Co Sligo. His plan is to march to Ulster. Humbert marches all might. Rising takes place in Longford and Westmeath 1844 - Conspiracy judgment against Daniel O'Connell is reversed by House of Lords 1851 - John Dillon, Nationalist politician, is born in Blackrock, Co. Dublin 1922 - Dónal Foley, journalist, humorist and author of 'Man Bites Dog' column in the Irish Times, is born in Ring, Co. Waterford 1976 - Women protest against men-only bathing at the Forty Foot in Sandycove.
September 5 1690 - Having failed to take Limerick, William leaves Ireland 1724 - In the guise of an Irish Patriot , M. B. Drapier, Jonathan Swift publishes "Drapier Letter III" - one of a series of letters designed to incite the people against a new coinage 1771 - Benjamin Franklin's visit to Ireland begins 1785 - Edmond Sexton Pery resigns as Speaker of the Irish parliament on grounds of ill health. John Foster is unanimously elected to replace him 1798 - Humbert defeats small government force at Collooney, but suffers serious casualties; he camps at Dromahair. Longford rebels attack Granard and are routed. Westmeath rebels occupy Wilson's Hospital 1890 - Birth of Richard Chenevix Trench, prelate, philologist and poet; the New English Dictionary, later the Oxford English Dictionary, was begun at his suggestion, in Dublin 1930 - The first edition of the Irish Press, a Dublin daily newspaper founded by De Valera as a platform for Fianna Fáil, is published 1934 - Birth of Kevin McNamara MP, former Labour spokesman on Northern Ireland 1950 - Birth of Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, Fianna Fáil politician 1998 - President Clinton follows in the footsteps of John F. Kennedy and becomes a Freeman of Limerick. Today marks the end of his three-day visit to Ireland 1999 - History comes alive at Phoenix Park as the beating of the Millennium Drum signals the beginning of a week long celebration of Irish history and heritage 2000 - The Church of Ireland criticises Portadown Orange Order leader Harold Gracey for refusing to condemn the violence surrounding the Drumcree protest 2001 - The violent scenes of sectarian hatred witnessed at the Holy Cross school in Belfast make headlines in newspapers all over the world 2002 - US-owned communications equipment firm, Tellabs, announces it will close its Shannon plant in December with the loss of more than 400 jobs.
September 6 1798 - Humbert marches to Drumkeeran. Lake is still tailing Humbert 1813 - Isaac Butt, barrister, politician and founder of the Home Rule movement, is born in Glenfin, Co. Donegal 1831 - Birth in Rosscarbery, Co. Cork of Jeremiah O'Donovan Rossa, one of the founders of the Fenian Brotherhood 1890 - Birth of Brinsley MacNamara, novelist, short story-writer and playwright 1936 - Birth of Bruce Arnold, journalist and author 1974 - 19 Prisoners escape from Porlaoise Prison 1981 - Death of Christy Brown, the handicapped Dublin author, who learned to type with his left foot 1987 - Cyclist Stephen Roche wins the World Professional Road Race Championship 1994 - Prime Minister of Dublin government meets with Sinn Fein President for the first time since the ratification of the 1922 Anglo-Irish Treaty 1999 - The £20 million Cavan town and Butlersbridge by-pass is officially opened by Environment Minister Noel Dempsey 2000 - Taoiseach Bertie Ahern pledges to the United Nations that Ireland will more than double its level of aid to the world’s poorest countries over the next seven years 2000 - Dublin's City Hall reopens after a two year, £4·5 million refurbishment programme 2002 - Death of Bobby Clancy of the Clancy Brothers.
While shopping in a food store, two nuns happened to pass by the beer.
The first nun said that, indeed, it would be very nice to have one, but that she wouldn't feel comfortable about buying it. The second nun replied that she could handle that without a problem.
She picked up a six-pack and took it to the cashier.
The cashier had a surprised look on his face, so the nun said, "We use beer for washing our hair; a sort of shampoo, if you will."
The cashier reached under the counter, pulled out a package of pretzel sticks and placed them in the bag with the beer.
He looked at the nun straight in the eye, smiled and said, "The curlers are on the house."
The LAOH Division 11 Celtic Halloween Fundraiser to benefit Catholic charities is Saturday, October 18 from 7:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m. at St. Mary of the Mount - Sullivan Hall, 115 Bigham Street, Mt. Washington.
Prizes will be awarded for the best costumes (costumes are optional). Entertainment will be provided by DJ - T, featuring sounds of the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s and 80’s.
Tickets are $15.00 (includes beer and setups - BYOB)
For tickets call: Maureen O’Toole (412-913-4184) or Clara Schillinger (412-734-1147)
Donations are gladly accepted. Please send all donations to Shirley Sestric, 311 Kearsarge Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15211 or contact her at 412-431-3935.
Please join us Friday, September 12 at the Pittsburgh National Golf Club in Gibsonia for the First Annual Irish Heritage Classic sponsored by the AOH Division 4, North Hills. Proceeds from the event benefit their Tuition Assistance Fund.
The registration deadline is September 8, 2008. Donations are welcome or you can purchase a tee sponsorships for $100. Please contact Bob Parry at 724.933.0427 for a registration/sponsorship form. Mail form and check payable to "AOH Division 4 Irish Heritage Classic" to:
Bob Parry 2585 Matterhorn Drive Wexford, PA 15090
Any prize donations and contributions would be greatly appreciated. All prize donors will be recognized during the awards presentation.
If you have any questions or need more informations please contact Patrick Regan at 412.338.1123 or Bob Parry at 724.933.0427.
Your support of the Tuition Assistance Fund is greatly appreciated. Thank you for helping us continue our tradition of supporting educational opportunities for those less fortunate than ourselves.
Congratulations to John Graf and the staff at the Priory Hotel for being named one of hotel.com's Top Ten Hidden Gems in the world! The list was compiled based strictly off of guests' feedback and reviews. Click here to see the full list.
Our good Fr. O'Shea asked that I pass his following message along:
Hi One and All, Would like to ask a small prayer for my right hip surgery (new one) this Monday, Aug. 25th, that it goes as good as the left one last November. Same doctor, Anthony DiGioia, at Magee Womens. No, I will not be coming home with a baby! Seriously, there are many much more serious health situations to pray for, so just asking for a "little one"! See ya soon on the faster track of life.
Have a great Irish story you want to share? You can now connect with an entire Irish community through The Ireland Institute of Pittsburgh. In 2008, the Ireland Institute of Pittsburgh's newsletter, the Common Ground will feature you! Your stories, past and present, will be their feature column this year. Tell how your family came to the United States from Ireland, how you celebrate your Irish heritage, or how you enjoy Irish history and culture. Send your photos and stories to info@iiofpitt.org during the first week of each month. Diverse cultural, political, and religious views are appreciated, but publication of any piece is subject to approval by the Ireland Institute Executive Management. Click here for the July issue.
Murphy, O'Brien & Cassey sitting in a bar dicussing the words they would like to hear spoken over their coffins at their wakes.
Casey says, "I would like them to say 'He was a wonderful family man- he always supported his wife and kids, and they never wanted for anything'".
O' Brien says, "That's lovely Casey. But I would like to hear them say, 'He was a great man in the community - he undertook a lot of projects to make his community a better place.'"
Murphy says, "Thats's very nice, O'Brien. But I would like to hear them say, 'Look! He's moving!'"
August 24 1210 - King John sails from Dublin for England. He had landed at Waterford in June and campaigned in Leinster; after a short siege, he captures Carrickfergus, where the de Lacys have made a stand. On 28 July he captures William de Braose and confiscates his lands. Hugh and Walter de Lacy, lords of Ulster and Meath, forfeit their lands but escape to Scotland. John has defeated the hostile Norman magnates and has established relations with various Irish kings. Cathal Crovderg O'Connor, king of Connacht, has fought in John's army but then quarrelled with him - O'Connor offered his son Aedh to John as a hostage, but Aedh's mother refused to allow this. The dispute is later resolved 1747 - Birth in Dublin of William La Touche, founder of the Bank of Ireland 1798 - Generals' Cornwallis and Lake leave Dublin. Lake travels fast by road with a small force. Cornwallis travels with the main force down the Grand Canal 1803 - James Napper Tandy, Irish patriot, dies in exile in France. Originally a small tradesman in Dublin, he gained attention by his attacks on municipal corruption and his proposal to boycott English goods as a reprisal for the restrictions placed on Irish commerce. He joined the Irish volunteer army and he aided Theodore Wolfe Tone in founding the Dublin branch of the United Irish Society. When faced with a sedition charge in 1793, Tandy fled to the United States and then to France,where he was given the title of general. In 1798, he landed in Ireland, but when he discovered that the French expedition of General Humbert to aid the Irish rebellion had failed, he fled to Hamburg, where he was arrested. He was returned to Ireland, sentenced to execution, but reprieved through French influence. His fame is perpetuated in the Irish ballad “The Wearing of the Green” 1962 - Death of Agnew McMaster, the last of the touring actor-managers who presented Shakespeare’s plays throughout rural Ireland 1968 - The Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association marches from Coalisland to Dungannon in Co. Tyrone in one of the first large-scale marches of the six-county civil rights movement 1990 - Brian Keenan is released on 24 August, having spent 52 months as a hostage in Beirut 1998 - Shops re-open in Omagh; among the shops to open was Wattersons, which lost three members of staff, and the Oxfam shop, whose two teenager volunteers were also killed 1998 - Eight Navy divers are injured during an air-sea rescue display. The men who are all members of the Navy Diving Team were taking part in a demonstration by the Defence Forces as part of the Tall Ships festival in Dublin 1999 - Waterford Crystal is chosen to usher in the millennium in the city of New York with a gigantic cut glass Star of Hope ball. The component parts of the six foot diameter sphere, made of 572 crystal panels each consisting of five diamond shapes, will be assembled in New York. It is planned to hang 22 stories high over Manhattan and be lowered down a 77ft high flagpole in time for the stroke of midnight 2000 - Additional troops are ordered onto the streets of Belfast night as fears grow for the fragile peace process 2001 - Bono's father, Bob, is laid to rest at Old Balgriffin Cemetary in Co. Dublin.
August 25 1170 - Richard de Clare (Strongbow) marries MacMurrough's daughter Aoife, as part of an agreement made two years earlier 1645 - Edward Worcester, Earl of Glamorgan; aristocrat and inventor, is sent to Ireland to raise troops for the king, and makes two secret treaties with the confederates on this date and on 20 December 1764 - James Hope, a member of the United Irishman, is born in Templepatrick, Co. Antrim 1769 - Henry Flood, MP for Callan, kills James Agar, MP for Tulsk, in a duel. The Flood and Agar families had disputed the representation of Callan for many years 1798 - Humbert takes Ballina after token resistance by Government forces 1803 - The British capture Robert Emmet 1863 - Eugene O'Growney, priest and Irish-language revivalist, is born in Ballyfallon, Co. Meath 1865 - Robert Lloyd Praeger, botanist and writer, is born in Holywood, Co. Down 1882 - Birth of Sean Ó Ceallaigh, Ireland’s second president 1921 - Birth in Belfast of Brian Moore who is best known for his novel "The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne" 1958 - The first Rose of Tralee festival is held 1986 - ‘Hurricane Charlie’ hits Ireland and the heaviest rain-fall over a 24 hour period is recorded — 10.63 inches at Kippure Mountain, Co. Wicklow 1998 - British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, arrives in the North to announce a security crackdown in the wake of the Omagh bombing 1998 - An armada of tall ships from around the world sails away from Dublin, ending a five-day visit 2001 - U2 brings the Elevation Tour to Slane Castle north of Dublin, site of the annual Slane Festival since 1981. It's U2's first performance at Slane since that first festival 20 years ago, when they were on the support bill for Thin Lizzy.
August 26 1725 - Five Dublin children receive the first recorded smallpox innoculations in Ireland 1798 - Humber leaves Ballina bound for Castlebar. He takes an indirect route through the mountains 1904 - Lord Dunraven forms the Irish Reform Association to campaign for some devolution; the following December, unionists form a United Unionist Council to resist Dunraven's plan 1913 - Also known as "The Great Dublin Lockout", the Dublin Transport Strike, led by Jim Larkin and James Connolly, begins 1921 - Re-election of Éamon de Valera President of Dáil Éireann. He is proposed and seconded by Commandant Sean MacEoin and General Richard Mulcahy — both of whom later line up against him in the Civil War 1940 - German aircraft bomb a creamery at Campile, Co. Wexford; three women are killed 1997 - U2 plays at the Botanical Gardens in Belfast. It is the band's first show in Belfast in 10 years 1998 - British Prime Minister, Tony Blair meets with Taoiseach Bertie Ahern in Ashford Castle, Co. Mayo. They join forces to fight terrorism and discuss laws which will be introduced in the aftermath of the Omagh bombing 2002 - Roy Keane’s journey from unemployed potato picker in Cork to multi-millionaire player on the world stage is related in his book "Keane - The Autobiography" which is released on this date.
August 27 1695 - The second Irish parliament of William III is called in Dublin; Robert Rochfort is unanimously elected Speaker 1798 - Humbert appears outside Castlebar. The Government forces are deployed to cover the direct route and Humbert unexpectedly appears on their flank. Humbert attacks. French advance causes Militia to run. Government defence collapses and Humbert takes the town. Cornwallis reaches Tullamore. Rebels assemble on Rebel hill, near Baileborough, Co Cavan 1870 - The Oceanic, a liner built in Belfast by Harland and Wolff for the White Star Line, is launched 1908 - Birth of Niall Ó Dónaill, Irish-language scholar and lexicographer, in the Rosses, Co. Donegal 1920 - Birth of James Molyneaux, Ulster Unionist Party leader 1928 - The Galway Gaelic Theatre - afterwards called the Taibhdheare Theatre - opens with Micheál Mac Liammóir's production of Diarmuid agus Gráinne 1937 - The first traffic lights in the Free State are installed at the junction of Merrion Square and Clare Street 1979 - Assassination of Lord Louis Mountbatten off the coast of Co. Sligo 1982 - The official police death count of the Troubles reaches 3,000 on this date with the killing of Hugh McKibbin in Belfast 1999 - On their first official overseas visit, Prince Edward and his new bride Sophie Rhys Jones arrive at Dublin Castle for the opening of the Millennium Gold Encounter. A total of 77 young people from 25 countries who have won their nation’s equivalent of the Gaisce award will attend the conference. Prince Edward is the chairperson the International Awards Association 2000 - A former member of British military intelligence reveals that weapons used by loyalist gangs who rampaged through Belfast's Shankill district the previous week were provided by British intelligence as part of a plan to defeat the IRA 2001 - Opponents claim that the introduction of tolls on the planned Kinnegad-Enfield-Kilcock motorway will cost commuters to Dublin an extra £20 a week; they outline their objections at an oral inquiry in Mullingar to plans by the National Road Authority to charge car users £1.65 to use the new 35 kilometre road 2001 - The newly restored century-old trading schooner, Kathleen & May arrives in Youghal after a 24-hour historic voyage from England to Ireland 2002 - Roy Keane's autobiography breaks the record for first day sales of a hardback book in Ireland.
August 28 1170 - Richard de Clare marries Aoife Ní Mhurrachadha and sets a precedent for Norman rule in Ireland 1710 - A board of trustees for linen manufacture is established 1788 - Sir Aubrey de Vere, poet, is born in Adare, Co. Limerick 1788 - James Digges La Touche, banker and philanthropist, is born in Dublin 1798 - Cornwallis reaches Athlone; Humbert entrenches in Castlebar 1814 - Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu, novelist and journalist, is born in Dublin 1815 - Mary Letitia Martin, 'Princess of Connemara,' novelist, philanthropist and daughter of 'Humanity Dick' Martin is born in Ballynahinch Castle, Co. Galway 1860 - Napier's and Deasy's Land Acts are passed 1872 - The first horse drawn tram cars enter service in Belfast 1877 - Charles Stewart Parnell becomes president of Home Rule Confederation 1896 - Birth of Liam O'Flaherty 1929 - "Health And Efficiency" becomes the very first publication banned by the Irish Free State 1975 - Willie John McBride retires from international rugby 1998 - The Real IRA and the 32 County Sovereignty Committee are to be placed on an international terrorist list by the US Government. An FBI clampdown on American supporters of both groups is also planned 1998 - The Northern Ireland Assembly heads for its first major crisis after a confidential document discloses that senior Ulster Unionists warned the British government they could no longer endorse the Good Friday agreement 1998 - One of the largest passing-out parades for the Defence Forces in recent years takes place; 86 recruits receive their two-star private rating at a ceremony in Gormanston Army Camp, Co Meath 2000 - Finance Minister Charlie McCreevy faces calls for his resignation as former judge Hugh O’Flaherty withdraws his controversial nomination for vice-presidency of the European Investment Bank.
August 29 1729 - Birth of David La Touche, banking magnate and MP 1798 - Cornwallis reaches Tuam 1803 - Samuel Neilson, co-founder of the United Irishmen, dies 1844 - Death of Edmund Ignatius Rice, founder of the Irish Christian Brothers Order 1890 - The Science & Art Museum and The National Library of Ireland open 1871 - Birth of Jack B. Yeats, painter and author, in London 1950 - Birth of Dick Spring, politician; Labour Party leader and Tánaiste, in Tralee, Co. Kerry 1951 - Bill Graham, rock journalist and author, is born in Belfast 1975 - Death of Eamon de Valera 1992 - U2 plays the first of two shows at Yankee Stadium in New York. They are only the second rock artist to play in this venue. Billy Joel was the first 2000 - Irish Travellers are granted the same legal protection as other ethnic minority groups by a judge in London 2002 - Sixteen soldiers are injured during sectarian street clashes in flashpoint east Belfast 2002 - According to Transparency International’s annual corruption index, Ireland has slipped five places and is now perceived as the third most corrupt country in Europe.
August 30 1559 - Lord Sussex, is sworn in as Lord Deputy 1690 - First siege of Limerick ends 1708 - Penal Laws passed in 1695 restricting Catholics rights are strengthened for the second time 1709 - All registered Catholic priests in Ireland are required to renounce the claims of the Stuarts to the thrones of England and Ireland — only 33 out of 1,089 comply 1841 - The Cork Examiner, now The Irish Examiner, hits the streets for the first time 1855 - Birth of Feargus Edward O’Connor, Chartist leader 1874 - Michael Banim, storywriter, dies; along with his brother and co-author John, he sought to create sympathetic, yet non-stereotypical Irish characters in his stories 1875 - National synod of Catholic bishops begins at Maynooth; they renew condemnation of Queen's Colleges and condemn Trinity College 1911 - The Chamber of Commerce calls for Ireland to adopt Greenwich Mean Time — 25 minutes behind Irish Standard Time 1928 - William Trevor, pseudonym of William Trevor Cox, short-story writer and novelist, is born in Mitchelstown, Co. Cork 1950 - Birth of Dana, pseudonym of Rosemary Scallon, singer/songwriter 1967 - Black Velvet Band by the Dubliners enters the British charts 1997 - U2 returns home for the first of two shows at Dublin's Lansdowne Road stadium 2000 - SDLP leader John Hume, announces his intention to quit as a Stormont Assembly member 2000 - As many as 21 houses in the County Antrim town of Carrickfergus are attacked in incidents linked to the North’s bitter loyalist feud 2001 - Death of Donal O'Sullivan; he was Cork's captain in the 1956 All-Ireland football final against Galway and prominent in GAA administration at county and provincial level 2002 - The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson accuses the United States of trying to scale back plans to save the world’s poorest people.
Join Us as We Celebrate the Memory of Those Who Died During the 1981 Hunger Strikes
Sunday, August 24, 2008 Mass at St. Patrick’s Church*, 12 Noon Celebrated by Father Tom O’Donnell 17th Street & Liberty Avenue in The Strip
Supported by the Irish American Unity Conference, Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Year of Remembrance Committee, Echoes of Erin, Knights of Equity, Daughters of Erin, Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, Ireland Institute of Pittsburgh, Irish Centre of Pittsburgh & Conway Mill Trust
Social in the Church Courtyard Immediately After Mass Information: Jim Caldwell, 412- 580-3759
*Offertory proceeds benefit St. Patrick & Stanislaus Parish
With only a few days to go in the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, Ireland still remains shut out of the medal count. Not to worry, the Hurling and Irish Football finals are coming up...
(Okay, I'm kidding. Those aren't Olympic sports. But I'm sure the Irish would kick serious butt in those sports if they were. Until then, we'll just have to pin our hopes to the Irish road bowling squad. Oh, wait....)
Late Update: The Irish boxing squad finally redeemed the honor of the nation by scoring two bronze medals and one silver medal at the games.
Here's our chance to let the media know where we stand on our faith in God, as a nation. NBC is taking a poll on 'In God We Trust' to stay on our American currency. Please send this to every Christian you know so they can vote on this important subject.
This is not sent for discussion, if you agree forward it, if you don't, delete it. By me forwarding it, you know how I feel. I'll bet this was a surprise to NBC.
Carmel Reilly Treasury/Budget Manager Common Ground Community 505 8th Avenue 15th Floor New York, NY 10018 (212) 389-9377 (Telephone) (212) 389-9310 (Fax) creilly@commonground.org
In the lapel of my tweed jacket, there's a pin of brightest gold, no bigger than my thumbnail, but its worth cannot be told. 'This the emblem of an Order of Irish folk proud of their land, and their glorious religion under the Lord's command. In Friendship we are gathered, we strive for Unity to serve our church and brethren in Christian Charity. We maintain Christ's own teachings, we guard the Irish race, we help the sick and fallen with the aid of God's own grace. Proud to be called Hibernians from Erin's old Latin name, by defending Catholic priests and nuns we earned undying fame. This emblem of our Order, I think is simply grand, its ancient Irish symbols still reminds us of our land. It bears our famous Irish harp upon a shamrock field. The two hands clasped in friendship in the center of this crest remind each AOH man that our brotherhood is blessed. Rising o'er the hills of Ireland in the crest is the sunrise, 'tis the dawn of Irish freedom; 'tis the cause that never dies! The four largest green shamrocks, symbols of the Trinity, remind us of the provinces of Erin's antiquity. Four mighty Irish kingdoms, proud and most beautiful lands, one breaks the heart of Ireland, remaining in Sasanach hands. Yes, shining bright in my lapel, of which I'll proudly tell, is the emblem of the AOH, worn in my heart as well.
- special thanks to Brother Bill Carr for sending along
If you plan on going to the Pittsburgh Irish Festival this year, make sure you get your tickets from the website Just Pay Half. You can get four $10 tickets to the event for only $20! The Irish Fest runs from September 5 - 7 at Riverplex at Sandcastle.
Attached please find a flier with information on a Mass and social that will be held on Sunday, August 24, 2008 at Old St. Patrick’s Church in the Strip District. We gather at least once a year to remember these men who gave their lives to the cause for a free and united Ireland.
All offertory proceeds will benefit St. Patrick/St Stanislaus Parish. Please let your friends and family know and join us as we remember these men. Thank you Sarah McAuliffe-Bellin
Join Us as We Celebrate the Memory of Those Who Died During the 1981 Hunger Strikes Sands Hughes McCreesh O’Hara McDonnell
Hurson Lynch Doherty McElwee Devine
Sunday, August 24, 2008 Mass at St. Patrick’s Church*, 12 Noon Celebrated by Father Tom O’Donnell 17th Street & Liberty Avenue in The Strip
Supported by the Irish American Unity Conference, Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Year of Remembrance Committee, Echoes of Erin, Knights of Equity, Daughters of Erin, Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, Ireland Institute of Pittsburgh, Irish Centre of Pittsburgh & Conway Mill Trust
Social in the Church Courtyard Immediately after Mass Information: Jim Caldwell, 412- 580-3759 Email: sarahm1916@stargate.net
Father O'Shea walks into a pub in Donegal, and says to the first man he meets, "Do you want to go to heaven?" The man said, "I do Father." The priest said, "Then stand over there against the wall."
Then Father O'Shea asked the second man, "Do you want to got to heaven?" "Certainly, Father," was the man's reply. "Then stand over there against the wall," said the priest.
Then Father O'Shea walked up to O'Toole and said, "Do you want to go to heaven?" O'Toole said, "No, I don't Father." The priest said, "I don't believe this. You mean to tell me that when you die you don't want to go to heaven?"
O'Toole said, "Oh, when I die, yes. I thought you were getting a group together to go right now."
August 17 1779 - William Corbet, United Irishman and soldier, is born in Ballythomas, Co. Cork 1786 - Birth of Davy Crockett, American frontiersman and son of an Irishman 1791 - Birth of Richard Lalor Sheil, dramatist and politician; first Catholic privy councillor, in Drumdowney, Co. Kilkenny 1846 - Lord John Russell's Whig administration decides not to interfere with internal or export markets for food 1878 - Birth of Oliver St. John Gogarty, writer, and the model for the ‘stately, plump Buck Mulligan’ in Joyce’s "Ulysses" 1922 - RIC is disbanded to be replaced by the Garda Síochána 1978 - Thousands gather in Carnsore Point to protest against nuclear power 1999 - Mandate, the largest union representing bar and retail workers, demands the Millennium New Year’s Eve off for their workers 1999 - Emir Holohan Doyle is crowned Miss Ireland 1999 - Junior doctors threaten a period of industrial action throughout the country 2000 - The last RUC passing out parade takes place in Belfast before the force’s controversial name change to the Police Service of Northern Ireland 2000 - President Mary McAleese leads mourners at the funeral of former Fine Gael Minister John Boland in St Patrick’s Church, Skerries, Co. Dublin 2000 - Beo 2000, the inaugural festival of Irish traditional music, takes place at the National Concert Hall in Dublin 2001 - General SemiConductor announces that its plant in Macroom, Co. Cork will close; 670 jobs are lost.
August 18 1579 - Death of James Fitzgerald, rebel leader 1728 - James Caulfeild, 4th Viscount and 1st Earl of Charlemont; soldier and nationalist, is born in Dublin 1814 - Birth of David Moriarty, Catholic Bishop of Kerry and opponent of nationalism, in Kilcarah, Co. Kerry 1961 - Death of playwright, humorist and writer Lynn Doyle 1986 - Chris de Burgh reaches no. 1 in British and Irish charts with Lady In Red 2000 - Guinness agrees to suspend the closure of its Dundalk plant and plans to axe 90 jobs at the Harp Brewery 2000 - Thousands flock to Kilrush in Co. Clare for the 40th anniversary of Ireland's only concertina-based festival which is held every year in memory of Elizabeth Crotty 2002 - In a bid to redress the huge population imbalance, it is announced that the Government is to scrap tough planning laws banning the building of single houses in rural Ireland.
August 19 1504 - After Ulick Burke of Clanricard seizes Galway city, Edward Fitzgerald, the Earl of Kildare, goes to Connacht and defeats Burke at Knockdoe. This is the largest battle ever fought between Irishmen, with 10,000 participants and 2,000 fatalities; however, most of the fighting is done by gall óglach - foreign warriors - or gallowglas. As a reward, Fitzgerald is made a Knight of the Garter 1792 - Edward Hincks, orientalist, is born in Cork 1839 - Act passed for the "improvement of navigation on the Shannon" 1876 - The ship Catalpa arrives in U.S. with Irish Fenian prisoners rescued from Australia 1887 - Birth of poet Francis Ledwidge in Slane, Co. Meath 1995 - After 26 years of shows by some of Ireland's top artists, Dublin's Baggot Inn hosts its final live concert performance 1998 - David Trimble demands that the British government introduce anti-terrorist laws equal to those planned by the Republic 1998 - Sonia O'Sullivan wins the 10,000m at the European championships in Budapest 1999 - The Connemara Pony Fair in Clifden- the west of Ireland's most prestigious horse festival - is marred by brawls between two traveller groups. The violence is a result of a long running feud between the McDonagh and Ward families 2001 - The remains of Aer Lingus chairman Bernie Cahill, who is believed to have drowned after an accident while attending his boat, are received by Rev. Fr. Michael Nolan at St. Mary's Church in Schull.
August 20 1778 - Birth of Bernardo O'Higgins, of Co. Meath origins, first Chilean head of state 1798 - Richard R. Madden - writer, historian, traveller and abolitionist - is born in Dublin 1818 - Birth in Dublin of scientist and Alpine traveller, John Ball 1860 - An expedition led by Robert O'Hara Burke, an Irish policeman, leaves Melbourne with the intention of making the first European crossing of Australia. They will make the crossing, but Burke and fellow-explorer, William Wills, will die on the return journey 1872 - Sectarian rioting in Belfast which began on August 15 continues through this date 1876 - The Irish Republican Brotherhood Supreme Council withdraws its support from the Home Rule movement 1880 - Death of Ellen Kean, one of the greatest actresses of her time 1919 - The Irish Republican Army is established by the Dail Eireann 1927 - The Currency Act establishes a separate currency for the Irish Free State 1951 - Birth of Thin Lizzy lead singer, Phil Lynott 1979 - Bob Geldof and the Boomtown Rats reach no. 1 in the British charts with I Don’t Like Mondays 1981 - Twenty-seven-year-old Michael "Mickey" Devine, from the Creggan in Derry dies on the 60th day of his hunger strike. He was the third INLA Volunteer to join the H-Block hunger strikers and he was the last of the group to give their lives in order to retain their status as political prisoners. 1999 - The main square in Tralee rocks to the Grand Old Man of Soul, James Brown, as the 41st International Rose Ball kicks off in the new Festival Dome 2000 - Teenage heartthrobs, Westlife, make their first appearance in Tralee. More than ten thousand fans attend the free, open air concert 2002 - Postal deliveries in small communities across the country are delayed again on the second day of industrial action by members of the Irish Postmasters Union.
August 21 1791 - Birth of the word ‘quiz’ (allegedly and disputed). Richard Daly, a theatre proprietor in Dublin, makes a bet that within 48 hours he can introduce a new word into the English language. After the evening performance, Mr. Daly distributes cards to all the staff with the word written on it, and instructs them to write it on walls all over the city. Thus ‘quiz’ enters the language 1861 - Birth in Belfast of Frederick Crawford, militant unionist and organizer of Larne gun-running 1855 - Last ever Donnybrook Fair, held in Dublin since 1204. The general uproar of the annual event results in its suspension 1879 - A Vision of the Virgin Mary is witnessed by 15 villagers in Knock, Co. Mayo 1882 - Birth in Gloucester of Arthur Luce, a professor of philosophy and fellow of Trinity College in Dublin for 65 years 1911 - Irish Women's Suffrage Federation is formed 1920 - Birth in Belfast of Rinty Monaghan, world flyweight boxing champion 1970 - The Social Democratic and Labour Party is founded with Gerry Fitt as leader 1978 - RTÉ broadcasts Eddie Macken on Boomerang winning the Aga Khan trophy 1982 - Bono marries his high-school sweetheart Alison Stewart at a ceremony in Raheny, Dublin 1983 - A train from Tralee failed near Cherryville Junction and was run into from the rear by a train from Galway. Seven passengers die in the crash and and another passenger later dies from their injuries 1998 - A salmonella alert is issued following the deaths of five elderly people in two separate outbreaks at a hospital and home for the aged in Co. Galway 2000 - Two men are shot dead in broad daylight as an all-out war erupts between rival loyalist terror gangs in Belfast 2000 - The Catholic hierarchy confirms it is actively considering allowing lay people to be ordained deacons in a bid to cope with the shortage of priests 2001 - Sinn Féin warns British prime minister Tony Blair he should take note of a poll which found the vast majority of British people believe the North should no longer be part of Britain 2001 - Unionists withhold their endorsement of the Government's new implementation plan for future policing arrangements in Northern Ireland 2002 - Celestica Electronics sheds half of its workforce of 500 at Swords, Co Dublin.
August 22 1791 - Theobald Wolfe Tone publishes "An argument on behalf of the Catholics of Ireland" 1798 - A French force of 1,019 men under General Humbert lands at Killala, Co. Mayo 1846 - John Keegan Casey, Fenian, poet and writer of "Rising of the Moon" is born near Mullingar, Co. Westmeath 1850 - First Catholic Synod in Ireland since the Middle Ages in Thurles, Co. Tipperary. Paul Cullen summons the synod which runs from this date through September 10 1881 - Second Gladstone Land Act introduces the 'three Fs' - fair rent, fixity of tenure, free sale - and sets up the Land Commission 1889 - Birth in Belfast of Seán McEntee, Fianna Fáil politician 1918 - Dublin-born WWI ace Dennis Latimer shot down. A Bristol Fighter pilot and the highest scoring ace in 20 Squadron, Latimer shot down 28 enemy aircraft between March and August of 1918. On this date, he and his observer, Lieutenant T.C. Noel, were shot down near Westroosebeke by a member of Jasta 7. Latimer was captured, Noel was killed 1922 - Michael Collins is assassinated. On the last day of his life, he set out from Cork in a convoy that passed through Bandon, Clonakilty, and Rosscarbery on its way to Skibbereen. He stopped at Woodfield, and there in the Four Walls, the pub situated across the road from the house where his mother had been born, he stood his family and escort to the local brew - Clonakilty Wrastler. On the return trip they again passed through Bandon. Michael Collins had only twenty minutes more to live. Around eight o'clock, his convoy was ambushed at a place known as Beal na mBláth - the mouth of flowers. Only one man was killed--Michael Collins. It is thought that Irregulars did the shooting, but some say that it might have been his own men. To this day, there is controversy about what actually happened 1933 - The National Guard is banned 1954 - Birth of Jimmy Barry Murphy, hurler and Gaelic footballer, in Cork 1966 - The Munster & Leinster, Provincial and Royal Banks merge to form Allied Irish Banks 1977 - Cardinal Tomas Ó Fiaich becomes the 112th successor to St. Patrick as Primate of All Ireland 1998 - The republican splinter group INLA calls for a total and unconditional ceasefire and says it has instructed all units to desist from the "armed struggle" 1999 - Yann Reynard Goulet - "The Fox" - Breton patriot and Irish Republican dies in Ireland 2000 - Prominent loyalist Johnny ‘‘Mad Dog’’ Adair is sent back to prison after Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Mandelson suspends his early release licence 2002 - Caroline Corr, drummer with Irish pop band The Corrs, marries Frank Woods on the Spanish island of Mallorca 2002 - U2's "Elevation 2001: Live From Boston" picks up the "Best Music Release DVD" award at the 5th DVD Awards in Hollywood.
August 23 1170 - Strongbow, a henchman of Henry II, arrives in Waterford at the behest of Dermot McMurrough, an event described in the Annals of Ulster as “the beginning of the woes of Ireland” 1742 - Birth of Walter Hussey (Burgh), lawyer, politician and orator 1798 - Frenchman General Humbert proclaims at Ballina, Co. Mayo, “Union, liberty, the Irish Republic” 1887 - The Land Act gives courts the power to revise and fix rents 1908 - Birth in Dublin of Mervyn Wall, writer who wrote under the pseudonym of Eugene Welply 1912 - Birth of Irish American actor Gene Kelly 1920 - Violent clashes in Belfast; 30 people are killed between August 23 and August 31; Catholics are expelled from shipyards and engineering works 1953 - Birth of John Rocha, fashion designer, based mainly in Dublin since the late seventies 1972 - Lord Killanin becomes the first Irish president of the International Olympic Committee 1995 - RTÉ reports on the closure of the Irish Press newspaper 1998 - A memorial service for the victims of the Omagh bombing is held at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin and attended by many dignitaries including President Mary McAleese 1999 - Dublin Bus opens the controversial Stillorgan Quality Bus Corridor and triples travelling time for city bound motorists 1999 - Bus Éireann announces a luxury Expressway coach hourly daily service from Limerick to Dublin 2001 - An Bord Pleanála grants permission to build a four-lane bridge between Macken Street and Guild Street in Dublin In the liturgical calendar, it is the feast day of St. Eogan.
Brother Steve Wayhart in Pittsburgh Business Times
Kudos to Brother Steve Wayhart for being interviewed (including a smiling picture of his mug in the article) by the Pittsburgh Business Times in a story entitled "What Don't You Like to See on a Resume?"
(Shameless business plug for Mr. Wayhart: Steve, as most of you know, is the owner of a marketing/branding company named Brandmill.)
I missed last Sunday's meeting because I was down at the Virgin Mobile Music Festival in Baltimore, Maryland. My brother had some "all access" passes which gave us a perfect backstage vantage point for watching some pretty big stars - Foo Fighters, Kanye West, Nine Inch Nails, etc.
Anyway, this has nothing to do with Ireland, the Irish, the AOH, or anything else we do, I just like the picture above of Scott Weiland from Stone Temple Pilots and a crowd-surfing chicken.
Concerned Roman Catholics Condemn Knights of Columbus Do-Nothing, 'Wine and Dine' Convention
Aug. 11 /Christian Newswire/ -- Concerned Roman Catholics of America, Inc. (CRCOA) today criticized Knights of Columbus Supreme Knight Carl Anderson for his hypocritical attitude toward unborn babies during the Supreme Convention in Quebec, Aug. 5-7.
As the Knights and bishops feasted for three days, 10,000 innocent children died by abortion in the USA alone.
Ken Fisher, president and founder of CRCOA, asked, "Why is it that Anderson has not expelled the many pro-abortion and pro-homosexual politicians and members in the K of C, and why do councils continue to rent their halls to them? Actions speak louder than words. The danger to unborn children demands action, not empty rhetoric."
Fisher noted that Anderson said in his keynote speech, "It's time we stop accommodating pro- abortion politicians, and it's time we start demanding that they accommodate us."
Fisher said: "Anderson was half right! While the weakest go to the wall, with 50 million babies aborted since Roe v Wade in 1973, the K of C have not really completely evolved into an action group to eliminate abortion.
Anderson refuses to recognize that he and the Order are a massive part of the abortion problem, and that K of C politicians defeated an effort by a record 170,000 signatories to put traditional marriage on the ballot in Massachusetts in 2008.
Not only that, but out-of-state homosexuals can now marry in Massachusetts and return to their home states to seek legal recognition, because K of C politicians just recently helped repeal a Massachusetts protect- marriage law."
Fisher continued, "Anderson has led the K of C for nearly eight years. He has happily followed in the footsteps of former Supreme Knight Virgil Dechant, who told me in August 2005 that pro-abortion politicians will 'never' be expelled! Anderson, Dechant and Supreme Advocate Paul Devin, who ruled 'unconstitutional' a Massachusetts State Convention resolution by Grand Knight Joe Craven to suspend pro-abortion and pro-homosexual politicians, must go.
To be taken seriously, Supreme Chaplain Bishop William Lori and the other bishops must excommunicate the pro-abortion and pro- homosexual politicians and members."
"CRCOA looks forward to the day when we can report that the K of C at supreme, state and local level enforce the resolutions they have repeatedly passed at their conventions," concluded Fisher. -- Christian Newswire
Please remember George Bado in your prayers and join us in wishing him a quick and complete recovery.
George has been in St. Clair Memorial Hospital (1000 Bower Hill Road, Pittsburgh PA 15243) since suffering a heart attack at home Aug. 5.
It's his and our great fortune that his wife, Kathy Donnelly Bado, was in the next room at the time, heard him fall and was able to call 911 and tend to him while waiting for help to arrive.
George is the brother-in-law of Division 32 brothers Denny and Bernie Donnelly.
An Englishman, a Scotsman and an Irishman were without tickets for the opening ceremonies of the Olympics but hoped to be able to talk their way in at the gate. Security was very tight, however, and each of their attempts was met with a stern refusal.
While wandering around outside the stadium, the Englishman came upon construction site, which gave him an idea. Grabbing a length of scaffolding, he presented himself at the gate
and said, "Johnson, the pole vault," and was admitted.
The Scotsman, overhearing this, went at once to search the site. When he came up with a sledge hammer, he presented himself at the gate and said, "McTavish, the hammer." He was also admitted.
The Irishman combed the site for an hour and was nearly ready to give up when he spotted his ticket in. Seizing a roll of barbed wire, he presented himself at the gate and announced, "O'Sullivan, fencing."
August 10 1316 - Battle of Athenry. Irish rising in support of Edward Bruce of Scotland 1636 - The Annals of the Four Masters is completed 1719 - The House of Commons proposes that all unregistered priests in Ireland should be branded on the cheek. The plan is ultimately abandoned. 1854 - A statutory provision is made for the establishment of a national gallery of paintings, sculpture and fine arts in Ireland 1857 - Death of John Wilson Croker, Galway-born politician and writer 1890 - Death of journalist and republican John Boyle O’Reilly 1848 - Birth in Clonakilty of William Hartnett, master of still life painting 1886 - Death of Joseph Medlicott Scriven from Seapatrick, Co. Down, who wrote the words for What A Friend We Have In Jesus 1920 - Death of actor James O’Neill, in Kilkenny. Remembered for his portrayal of the Count of Monte Cristo, he was also the father of playwright Eugene O’Neill 1928 - Peter Barry, Fine Gael politician, is born in Co. Cork 1971 - Birth in Co. Cork of soccer star Roy Maurice Keane, the "human dynamo" 1975 - Death of Robert Barton, last of the surviving 1921 Treaty signatories 1984 - John Treacy wins a silver medal in the marathon at the LA Olympics 1998 - Car clamping of illegally parked cars is introduced in Dublin 1998 - After 26 years on the air, Gay Byrne confirms he will quit his RTÉ morning radio programme at Christmas and will give up the Late Late Show next June 1998 - After serving 21 years, William Moore, the last member of the terrifying Shankill Butchers Gang to remain behind bars is released, despite a Judge's recommendation that he should never go free. He was given 14 life sentences for his role in the abduction and murder of 19 innocent Catholics 1999 - Lakes featured in The Quiet Man are put on the market 2000 - Ruth-Kelly Walsh from Bray, Co. Wicklow wins the special prize for the 'Most Creative Hat' in the RDS Ladies Day Competition at the Kerrygold Horse Show.
August 11 1691 - A Jacobite force under Patrick Sarsfield, guided by Galloping Hogan, destroys a Williamite siege train at Ballyneety, hampering the siege of Limerick 1835 - Henry Grattan Guinness, is born in Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin 1894 - Dan Breen, nationalist revolutionary and politician, is born near Soloheadbeg, Co. Tipperary 1927 - After the Free State general election on June 9, de Valera and Fianna Fáil enter the Dáil as the largest opposition party; the Cosgrave administration brings the Farmers' Party into government (independent Ireland's first coalition government, though not so called) 1927 - The Electricity Supply Board (ESB) is established to control the Shannon hydro-electric scheme and take over all existing projects for the electrification of Ireland 1979 - Disaster overtakes the Fastnet Challenge yacht race when the biggest-ever fleet of 303 vessels is caught in a vicious storm. Seventeen people lose their lives 1998 - Fine Gael warns that many farmers who are at the mercy of the worst harvesting weather for 20 years will have no incomes by Christmas unless the Government adopts a strategy to help them out 1999 - Last almost-total solar eclipse of the century takes place in Western Europe. Cloud cover in many parts of Ireland spoils the view, but hundreds in Croke Park, Dublin watch the phenomenon under cloudless, blue skies 2000 - Hugh O'Flaherty's nomination to the European Investment Bank may be in jeopardy after the bank confirms it has the power to recommend someone else for the job 2000 - The Royal Ulster Constabulary welcomes deal which will allow a low-key policing operation for a loyalist march at the weekend in Derry. 2003 - Model plane goes transatlantic after "The Spirit of Butts Farm" - named after its testing site - lands safely in County Galway, Ireland, 38 hours after it took off from Canada. The balsa wood and mylar plane flies 3,039 kilometres (1,888 miles). US, Canadian and Irish engineers work together using satellite navigation and an autopilot system overseen by engineers and radio operators using laptop computers.
August 12 1646 - Archbishop Giovanni Rinuccini, papal nuncio to the Irish Confederate Catholics, condemns their adherence to Ormond's peace terms for failing to fully recognize Catholicism 1652 - 'Act for the Settling of Ireland' allows for the transplantation to Clare or Connacht of proprietors whose land is confiscated by Cromwell to meet promises to adventurers and soldiers; also known as the "To Hell or Connacht" Act 1796 - Kilmainham Gaol in Dublin receives its first prisoners 1804 - Birth of James Whiteside, orator and Lord Chief Justice, in Delgany, Co. Wicklow 1821 - George IV begins his visit to Ireland; he is received enthusiastically by O'Connell and others 1822 - Robert Stewart, Viscount Castlereagh, commits suicide by cutting his throat with a penknife 1870 - Sir Hubert Gough, soldier and participant in 'Curragh mutiny' of 1914, is born in Gurteen, Co. Waterford 1898 - Irish Local Government Act sets up elective county and district councils 1899 - First issue of James Connolly's Workers Republic 1914 - Death of John Holland, from Liscannor, Co. Clare, designer of the first submarine 1920 - Terence MacSwiney, Lord Mayor of Cork, arrested by British; he immediately goes on hunger strike 1922 - Arthur Griffith, founder of Sinn Fein, dies of a cerebral hemorrhage 1969 - British troops are deployed in Northern Ireland after riots in Derry and Belfast 1998 - Freak twister ravages Martinstown in Co. Antrim; no injuries or fatalities are reported 1999 - Memorial service is held for the victims of the Omagh bomb attack 2001 - Playing to a capacity crowd at the Manchester Evening News Arena, U2 kicks off their European tour with a plea for peace in Northern Ireland 2001 - Loyalist protesters block a main road in north Belfast to prevent the republican Wolf Tone flute band from joining a major march commemorating the 20th anniversary of the 1981 IRA hunger strikes.
August 13 1689 - The Duke of Schomberg lands at Groomsport with his 10,000 strong Williamite army 1819 - Birth of Sir George Gabriel Stokes, mathematician and physicist, in Skreen, Co. Sligo 1846 - Birth of Otto Jaffe in Hamburg. Otto was the first non-Protestant to hold the office of Lord Mayor of Belfast — he was Jewish 1881 - First issue of United Ireland, Parnellite weekly 1887 - Special committee appointed to investigate Parnell's ties to Phoenix Park murders 1898 - The first issue of Workers’ Republic 1947 - The Health Act extends the powers of county councils and provides maternity care 1974 - Kate O'Brien, Irish writer, dies 1999 - A new set of 30p stamps is issued by An Post to honour the Gaelic Football team of the Millennium. It depicts the members of the An Post-GAA official Gaelic Football Team of the Millennium as chosen by a panel of experts 2000 - The RUC promises an increased profile at sectarian flashpoints in Belfast after a large scale attack on Catholic houses further heightens tensions. In the liturgical calendar, today is the feast day of St. Muredach.
August 14 1598 - High O'Neill defeats the English at the Battle of Yellow Ford 1778 - Gardiner's Catholic Relief Act is enacted and grants rights of leasing and inheritance to those who have taken the oath of allegiance: the first rolling back of the penal laws 1784 - Nathaniel Hone, painter and member of the Royal Academy at the time of its founding in 1768, dies 1814 - Mary O'Connell is born in Co. Limerick. Known as Sister Anthony, she serves in the American Civil War as a nurse 1850 - The Irish Franchise Act is enacted and has the effect of increasing the electorate from 45,000 to 164,000 1903 - The Land Purchase Act (Wyndham Act) is enacted and allows for entire estates to be purchased by the occupying tenantry, subsidized by the state 1907 - H. Montgomery Hyde, author and unionist MP, is born in Belfast 1968 - Golfer Darren Clark is born in Dungannon, Co. Tyrone 1969 - First deployment of British troops in Northern Ireland 1992 - Boxer Michael Carruth wins an Olympic Gold medal in Barcelona 1998 - The Family Mediation Service, which enables separating couples to reach agreement on a range of issues relating to their break-up, is to be expanded nationwide 1998 - Taoiseach Bertie Ahern pledges that the Stormont Agreement relating to the release of prisoners convicted of killing gardaí has to be honoured by the Government 1998 - "The Sovereign Nation", a publication of the 32-County Sovereignty Movement is launched in Dundalk 2000 - The Irish Locomotive Driver's Association rejects a bid to end the two-month-old rail dispute 2001 - Northern Ireland Secretary John Reid strongly criticizes the IRA after they withdraw a plan to put their weapons beyond use 2002 - Emer McGrath from Ballynew in Ballinrobe on the Mayo/Galway border becomes the country’s top student with eight Leaving Certificate A1s and one A2.
August 15 1649 - Oliver Cromwell arrives in Ireland as Commander-in-Chief and Lord Lieutenant with an army of 20,000, a huge artillery train and a large navy 1715 - On this date, Frederick Hamilton, former MP for Donegal, writes to George I that although the county is well affected, 'The great scarcity of armes in ye country is beyond anything I could have imagin'd till about three days ago that I had occasion to send some men after seven Tories that were hunted out of Fermanagh, & in the barony of Kilmakrenan, I could not get thirty men tolerably armed tho' I believe the country will be able to array seven thousand men' 1755 - Molesworth Phillips, sailor and companion of Captain James Cook, is born in Swords, Co. Dublin 1803 - Edmund Rice opens a school for poor boys in Waterford - precursor of the schools run by the Christian Brothers 1843 - Daniel O'Connell holds meetings for Repeal of the Union, attended by hundreds of thousands, at Trim and the Hill of Tara 1880 - Five people drown in Derrybeg, Co. Donegal when a chapel is flooded during Mass 1882 - Unveiling of O’Connell monument in Dublin 1919 - Birth of Benedict Kiely, novelist, short story-writer and critic, in Dromore, Co. Down 1917 - Birth of Jack Lynch, Taoiseach, in Co. Cork 1998 - Massive bomb explodes in Omagh shopping center; 29 people are killed and hundreds injured 1999 - The Portmarnock Hotel in Dublin wins the Powers World Irish Coffee Making Championship for the second successive year 1999 - Mobs in Derry attack police, loot businesses and torch buildings 1999 - Founder member of the SDLP, Paddy Devlin, dies in Belfast’s Mater Hospital after a long illness. In the liturgical calendar, today is the Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. It is also the feast day of St. Daga, 6th century Bishop of Iniskin, Dundalk.
August 16 1793 - The Convention Act bans representative bodies set up to campaign for a change in the law, i.e. putative rivals to the parliament 832 - An Act is passed which allows for tithe payments to be commuted 1878 - The Intermediate Education Act grants female students the right to participate in public examinations and to enter into careers and professions 1879 - National Land League of Mayo is founded 1882 - Charles Stewart Parnell becomes a Freeman of the city of Dublin 1892 - National Literary Society is founded 1920 - Court-martial of Terence MacSwiney, Irish Volunteer and Lord Mayor of Cork 1921 - The first Dáil Éireann is dissolved and the second Dáil convenes 1981 - U2 plays its first show ever at Slane Castle outside Dublin, and its only Irish show of the year 1982 - Malcolm McArthur, who is wanted for the murder of a nurse named Bridie Gargan, is found in the flat of the Attorney General, Patrick Connolly; Mr Connolly resigns on this date 1995 - More than 100 people are evacuated from The Kitchen, the basement nightclub below the Clarence Hotel in Dublin after a fire is spotted on the roof. No injuries or fatalities are reported 1997 - On the 20th anniversary of the death of Elvis Presley, U2's PopMart show in Vienna, Austria is filled with tributes and references to the King 2001 - Dozens of wild birds, including swans, mallard and moorhens are rounded up by animal welfare workers after a major oil spill in the River Liffey at Palmerstown in Co. Dublin.
I write to you as the mother of a dedicated Marine, assigned to the Bravo Company based in North Versailles, Pennsylvania.
To support my son, I have volunteered to serve as his unit’s Marine Ball Fundraising Chair. Each year, local Marines, along with fellow Marines around the world, celebrate the birth of the Marine Corps.
In order to continue this tradition, we’ve decided to create an advertisement book in which local businesses, politicians, and our committee will be able to honor and recognize the tremendous service that these men and women give to our Nation. At the same time, businesses and political figures gain exposure in the local community.
All proceeds from the sale of the advertisements enable local Marines to commemorate the founding of the Marine Corps of the United States of America by defraying their event costs. I encourage you to consider placing an advertisement or tribute in our booklet.
To do so, please complete the attached form, and mail it to the address listed below, along with your payment and a camera-ready copy of your ad. For your reference, I have included a brief history of this annual commemoration.
All United States Marines are gung-ho. But few can match the unparalleled vision and commitment of the famous 13th Commandant, General John A. Lejeune. In 1921, he issued Marine Corps Order No. 47, Series 1921.
Gen. Lejeune's order summarized the history, mission, and tradition of the Corps. It further directed that the order be read to all Marines on 10 November of each year to honor the founding of the Marine Corps. Thereafter, 10 November became a unique day for U.S. Marines throughout the wo rld.
Over the years, the annual Birthday Ball grew and grew, taking on a life of its own. In 1952, the Commandant, Gen. Lemuel C. Shepherd Jr., formalized the cake-cutting ceremony and other traditional observances. For example, Marine Corps policy now mandates that the first slice of cake mus t be presented to the oldest U.S. Marine present.
The second slice goes to the youngest Marine. Among other mandates is a solemn reading of the Commandant's birthday message to the Corps.
Like the U.S. Marine Corps itself, the annual Birthday Ball has evolved from simple origins to the polished and professional functions of today. Nonetheless, one thing remains constant, the tenth day of November! This unique holiday for warriors is a day of camaraderie, a day to honor Cor ps and Country. Throughout the world on 10 November, U.S. Marines celebrate the birth of their Corps -- the most loyal, most feared, most revered, and most professional fighting force the world has ever known.
I am grateful for your interest in this important event. Should you have any questions, please call me at 412-498-3392 or email me at bowers011@comcast.net. The Marines thank you in advance for your participation in their annual commemoration.
Sincerely Yours,
Colleen Bowers Marine Mom 1404 Swantek Street Pittsburgh, PA 15204
PROGRAM BOOK AD FORM Marine Birthday 233rd Ball Celebration November 7, 2008
NAME ________________________________________________________________________ COMPANY NAME / ORGANIZATION NAME ___________________________________________ ADDRESS ______________________________________________________________________ CITY _____________________________________________ST ______________ZIP __________ CONTACT _____________________________________________________________________ EMAIL ___________________________________PHONE_______________________________
AD SIZE: ________ FULL PAGE $150 ________ ½ PAGE $85 ________ ¼ PAGE $50 5.5”w X 8”h 5.5”w X 4”h 5.5”w X 2”h
SPONSOR NAME PAGE (ONE LINE) $10
Please attach camera‐ready copy to this form or enter it below: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Please enclose a check for the TOTAL amount payable to:
Marine Ball Fund 1404 Swantek Street Pittsburgh, PA 15204
Stop by the Claddagh Irish Pub in the South Side Works Tuesday, August 12 for an Irish gathering featuring music by Sean McClorey, an Irish auction, door prizes and appetizers. All the fun begins at 5:00 p.m.
Tickets are $10 and benefit local AOH and LAOH divisions.For tickets call Joe Guiney, 412.521.8411, Maureen O'Toole, 12.913.4184, Steve Kurpiewski, 412.734.9648, Rich O'Malley, 412.401.3945 or Denny Donnelly, 412.276.9312. This is a fundraiser for the AOH PA State Convention next year.
Sean was fishing and it started to rain, so he moved under the bridge for shelter. His pal McGinty saw him and called, "Sean, me boy, are ye afeared of a few spots o' rain, now?" Sean replied, "I'm not...the fish come here fer shelter."
August 3 1823 - Thomas Francis Meagher, nationalist and transportee; journalist and lecturer; brigadier-general on Union side in US civil war, and Governor of Montana, is born in Waterford 1857 - George F. FitzGerald, physicist who postulated the FitzGerald-Lorenze contraction, is born in Dublin 1916 - Roger Casement, Irish patriot, is hanged by the English in Pentonville Prison, London. He was the last to be executed as a result of the Easter Rebellion 1998 - In a landmark deal, the Apprentice Boys of Londonderry and Catholic residents of the city's Bogside reach agreement on a contentious parade after a weekend of tense negotiations 1998 - Between 20,000 and 25,000 people throng Youghal over the four days of the Murphy's-sponsored International Busking Festival 1999 - Continental Airlines announces increased availability of what it says are the cheapest direct flights between Ireland and the US 2001 - Met Eireann reports that up to 22 millimetres of rain has fallen in the south. Insurance companies believe the cost of flash-flooding in Cork and Tipperary could hit £2 million 2001 - A potentially fatal bacterium forces St. James Hospital in Dublin to close its general intensive care unit to new admissions.
August 4 1654 - Birth in Midleton, Co. Cork of Thomas Brodrick, politician in Irish and British Houses of Commons who led the inquiry into the 'South Sea Bubble' 1805 - Birth in Dublin of Sir William Rowan Hamilton, mathematician and astronomer 1846 - The Great Southern & Western Railway line between Dublin and Carlow opens 1878 - Birth of Margaret Pearse, teacher, politician and sister of Padraic Pearse, in Dublin 1998 - Gerry Adams is under growing pressure to declare the republican war over after loyalists warn that the North's peace agreement is in real danger of collapsing 1999 - The Government abandons all plans to transform the Great Blasket Island into a State Park and the 1,132 acre island is to remain in private ownership 2000 - The stand-off in the seven-week old train strike intensifies as Transport and Public Enterprise Minister Mary O’Rourke refuses to intervene 2000 - Loyalists protest after Northern Ireland health minister Bairbre de Brun, a member of Sinn Féin, refuses to fly the Union flag outside her Belfast offices to mark the 100th birthday of Britain’s Queen Mother 2000 - Residents of Belfast’s Lower Ormeau Road vote overwhelmingly against allowing Orange parades through the flashpoint district 2002 - Less than two months after turning professional, rookie Graeme McDowell from Portrush, Co Antrim, wins the Scandinavian Masters.
August 5 1722 - Birth of William Fortescuem, politician and sportsman, who tried unsuccessfully in the 1760s to introduce a bill 'to preserve partridges and hares and to take away the lives of above half the dogs in the nation' 1888 - Philip Henry Sheridan, the son of Irish immigrants from Cavan, dies in Nonquit, Massachusetts. He became an officer in the Federal cavalry and is infamously credited with the phrase: "The only good Indian is a dead one" 1891 - The Land Purchase Act further facilitates tenants' purchase of acreage from former landlords and establishes a board to purchase and redistribute land at a local level in the west 1901 - Peter O'Connor sets long jump record at 24' 11 3/4". He was born in Ashford, Co.Wicklow, but he lived and worked as a solicitor in Waterford City for most of his life. He won his first title in 1899 at the age of 25 years and his last in 1906 - but that was the Olympic title. He was the first IAAF ratified long jump world record holder and his remarkable world, and Irish, long jump record, set in Ballsbridge, Dublin on this date lasted for 20 years 1931 - Birth of Billy Bingham, Northern Ireland footballer and manager, in Belfast 1934 - Gay Byrne, broadcaster, is born in Dublin 1984 - U2 finish recording "The Unforgettable Fire" 1999 - A unique exhibition - "75 Years of Giving" - is officially opened in in Dublin by President Mary McAleese. It comprises a collection of treasures from museums and art galleries throughout the country and marks the 75th anniversary of the foundation of the Friends of the National Collections of Ireland (FNCI).
August 6 1312 - John de Wogan ceases to be justiciar; Edmund le Botiller will act as justiciar for the present 1761 - Richard Nugent, Lord Delvin, MP for Fore, and still a teenager, dies of wounds he received after fighting a duel with a Mr Reilly on July 30 1775 - Daniel O'Connell, Irish patriot, is born in Cahirciveen, County Kerry 1853 - Sir William Ridgeway, classical scholar, is born in Ballydermot, Co. Offaly 1920 - The Dáil orders the boycotting of Belfast unionist firms 1927 - Poet Richard Murphy is born 1998 - Triple Olympic champion, Michelle de Bruin, is banned for four years by FINA, the swimming's world governing body, for tampering with a urine sample 1999 - Labour analysts at the Economic and Social Research Institute announce that the country is heading for full employment for the first time in history 2000 - In Waterford, a team of six men, five of them former international boxers, skip their way into the Guinness Book of Records by smashing the 24 hour relay skipping record 2000 - The first annual Witness Festival comes to a close at Fairyhouse in Co. Meath 2001 - The chairman of the International Commission on Decommissioning, General John de Chastelain, reveals that his members and an IRA representative have agreed on a method for decommissioning.
August 7 1798 - Examination by secret committee of MacNeven, O'Connor, Neilson, Thomas Emmet, and Bond begins in the House of Lords 1832 - The Parliamentary Reform Act increases Irish seats from 100 to 105 and introduces ten-pound franchise in the boroughs: the electorate is increased to 1.2% of the population (county electorate 60,000; borough electorate 30,000). 1 Irish urban dweller in 26 and one Irish rural dweller in 116 now has the vote, as compared to 1 in 17 and 1 in 24 in England 1892 - Birth of Tom Falcon Hazel, WWI Ace, in Clifden, Co. Galway 1916 - O'Neil of the Glen, the first production released by the Film Company of Ireland, premiers at Dublin's Bohemian Theatre 1937 - Rosemary Smith, rally driver, is born in Dublin 1943 - Sarah Purser, Irish painter, dies 1998 - Unemployment falls for the 16th month in a row to reach its lowest level in almost eight years 2001 - British Airways begin a training programme for the crew of the Concorde aircraft at Shannon Airport amid speculation the supersonic plane could be back in the air within the next number of weeks 2001 - Family and close friends gather in the Spanish resort of Alicante for the cremation of one of Ireland's best loved actors, Joe Lynch 2002 - The government announces that American Special Forces will not be allowed to use Irish airspace or airports during any attack on Iraq.
August 8 1588 - The Spanish Armada is defeated by the English, with some Spaniards slain upon reaching the coasts of Ireland and some survivors remaining 1694 - Birth of Francis Hutcheson, Presbyterian philosopher, in Co. Down 1781 - James Gandon moves from London to Dublin; the first stone of his Customs House is laid on this date 1923 - The Civic Guard is renamed the Garda Siochana 1953 - The library of Alfred Chester Beatty, containing his unique collection of oriental manuscripts, opens in Dublin 1961 - On Edge of U2 (David Evans) is born in Barking Maternity Hospital, East London 1976 - Founding of the Peace Movement in the North 1981 - Thomas McElwee, Irish politicl prisoner , dies on the 62nd day of his hunger strike in Maze Prison, Northern Ireland. 2000 - A leading figure in the Young Ireland Movement, Edward Walsh, poet, folklorist, song writer and teacher, is remembered on the 150th anniversary of his death 2001 - The Taoiseach and Tánaiste urge Irish workers and employers not to panic as computer giant Gateway signals a shutdown of Irish operations with 900 job losses.
August 9 1690 - First siege of Limerick begins 1850 - Irish Tenant League is founded 1971 - Internment without charge or trial is introduced in Northern Ireland; the first wave of arrests on this date is based largely on incorrect or outdated information and causes massive resentment among nationalists; 17 people are killed in the rioting that follows 1979 - The first Vietnamese boat people arrive in Ireland 1998 - U2's PopMart movie debuts at the Festival Revue in Edinburgh, Scotland 2000 - Secondary picketing by striking train drivers, who are members of the Irish Locomotive Drivers' Association, causes transport chaos for thousands of Dublin commuters.
