Diane V. Byrnes DATELINE IRISH 78 GRANT AVE. December 28, 2008 PITTSBURGH, PA. 15223 PROGRAM # 1084 412.781.6368
Dateline Irish sponsored by BrandMill, LLC - marketing experts who will transform your business through fact-based processes and innovative marketing systems designed to achieve dramatic, measurable and profitable results.
Sunday, December 28 · Echoes of Erin on WEDO 810AM at 1:00 PM. The Ireland Report from Belfast with Mairtin O’Muilleoir, Belfast. www.belfastmedia.com. · The Ireland Institute of Pittsburgh is seeking Host Families for young adults, 18-26, from Ireland and Northern Ireland. Call 412.394.3900, Website: www.iiofpitt.org.
Tuesday, December 30 · Paddy’s Pour House, 215 East Main Street, Carnegie, 412-279-0700, features Irish Night, Harp & Guinness Specials from 8:00 PM. Dennis Murphy is now bartending on Thursday’s. 412.279.0770’ · Mullaney’s Harp & Fiddle, 2329 Penn Ave., in The Strip, presents Ceili Dancing at 7:30 PM 412.642.6622. · The Claddagh Irish Pub & Restaurant, South Side Works, 412-381-4800.
Wednesday, December 31 – New Year’s Eve · Mullaney’s Harp & Fiddle, 2329 Penn Ave., in The Strip, will rock in the New Year with Red Hand Paddy from 9:00PM. Champaign Toast at 7:00PM (it’s midnight in Ireland) and 12:00 Midnight. · The Claddagh Irish Pub & Restaurant, South Side Works, 412-381-4800.
Friday, January 2 & Saturday, January 3, 2009 · Mullaney’s Harp & Fiddle, 2329 Penn Ave., 412-642-6622, in The Strip presents Seamus Kennedy with song, stories, and lots of laughs, 9:00PM.
Friday, January 2 · Paddy’s Pour House, 215 East Main Street, Carnegie, features Mark Guiser on Vocals & Guitar, 9:00 PM.
Sunday, January 4 · Echoes of Erin on WEDO 810AM, 1:00 PM. The Ireland Report with Patricia Sharkey, Editor of the Donegal News Letter, www.dun-na-ngall.com.
Saturday, January 10 · All Ireland Social at the American Legion Hall, 5857 Forbes Ave. in Squirrel Hill, 8:00PM. Music with CCE Musicians. Information: Ray Connolly at 412-373-7252.
Sunday, January 11 · Echoes of Erin on WEDO 810AM, 1:00 PM. The Ireland Report with Ann Bray in Dublin.
Saturday, January 16 · Paddy’s Pour House, 215 East Main Street, Carnegie, features Mark Guiser on Vocals & Guitar, 9:00 PM.
Sunday, January 18 · Echoes of Erin on WEDO 810AM, 1:00 PM. The Ireland Report with Davy Kettyles in Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh. · Gaelic Arts Society of Pittsburgh will host ‘The Orphan Train’ presented by Cathy & Paul Schaughency. In the early part of the 20th century because the death rate was high, there were many orphans that went from the East Coast to Kansas. Synod Hall, Craig Street in Oakland at 2:30PM. 412.761.1844.
Saturday, January 24 · Paddy’s Pour House, 215 East Main Street, Carnegie, features Mark Guiser on Vocals & Guitar, 9:00 PM.
Sunday, January 25 · Echoes of Erin on WEDO 810AM, 1:00 PM. The Ireland Report with Mairtin O’Muilleoir, Directing Manager, Belfast Media Group, www.belfastmedia.com and CEO of The Irish Echo, www.irishecho.com.
Saturday, January 31 · St. Andrew’s Society presents the Burns Supper, details, TBA. Information: Cheryl Campbell ccampbell@standrews-pgh.org.
January 31 – February 2 Irish Festival Cruise aboard Celebrity Cruise Line’s ‘Summit’ sailing the Southern Caribbean. Entertainment with Cherish The Ladies, The Black Brothers, Johnny McEvoy, Tommy Sands, Liam Tiernan, The Matt Cunningham Band, Don Stiffe, Donny Golden, Dan Stacy, and Maura O’Connell. 1-800-441-HARP. Online www.irishtours.com.
Sunday, February 1 · Echoes of Erin’s 21st Anniversary – The Ireland Report with Patricia Sharkey, Editor of the Donegal News Letter, www.dun-na-ngall.com. Friday, February 6 · The Pittsburgh Ceili Club will host a ‘Workshop & Ceili’ at the Morningside VFW, 1820 Morningside Avenue in Morningside. Workshop, 7:00 PM, Ceili, 8:00 PM. Information: Bob Kaniecki, 412.486.2684. www.pittsburghceiliclub.org/
Saturday, February 14 · All Ireland Social at the American Legion Hall, 5857 Forbes Ave. in Squirrel Hill, 8:00PM. Music with CCE Musicians. Information: Ray Connolly at 412-373-7252.
Beginning Wednesday, February 18 · A Course on ‘Names – Their Origin and Meaning’, at CCAC, Downtown Campus, 625 Stanwix Street each Wednesday for 6-weeks. Dates: February 18 & 25, March 4, 11, 18, & 25 from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. Tuition $69. To register: 412.391.1210.
Beginning Thursday, February 19 · The Window to Ireland Culture Course takes place at CCAC, Downtown Campus, 625 Stanwix Street each Thursday for 6-weeks. Dates: February 19 & 26, March 5, 12, 19 & 26. Course Instructor is John Webber – to register: 412.391.1210, Tuition $69. Or John Webber – 412.758.5446.
Sunday, February 22 · Gaelic Arts Society of Pittsburgh will sponsor a program on the life and career of Bing Crosby, presented by Kenneth Gray. The movie “The Top of the Morin’” will be shown. 412.761.1844.
Tuesday, March 3 & Wednesday, March 4 · Celtic Woman in Concert at the Benedum Center, 7:30PM. Sponsored by WQED, PBS.
Friday, March 13 · Pittsburgh Ceili Club hosts its ‘Kick-Off Ceili’ with Appetizers & Dancing at Epiphany Church Hall. Information Bob Kaniecki 412.486.2684.
Saturday, March 14 The St. Patrick’s Day Parade, stepping off from Mellon Arena at 10:00 AM with celebrations to follow with the following groups at the following establishments; Details TBA. · Smithfield Café, Breakfast before Parade, followed by Guaranteed Irish from Noon. · Knights of Equity Celebration at The Sports Rock Café, Smallman St. in The Strip Noon · Pittsburgh Ceili Club Celebration from Noon at Epiphany Church Hall. · Paddy’s Pour House, Carnegie · Mullaney’s Harp and Fiddle, in The Strip · The Claddagh Irish Pub & Restaurant, South Side Works · The Irish Centre of Pittsburgh, Squirrel Hill
Tuesday, March 17 – St. Patrick’s Day – Details TBA · Mullaney’s Harp & Fiddle, 2329 Penn Ave., in The Strip, 412-642-6622 · Paddy’s Pour House, 215 East Main Street, Carnegie, 412-279-0770 · The Claddagh Irish Pub & Restaurant, South Side Works, 412-381-4800. · The Irish Centre of Pittsburgh, Squirrel Hill · All Ireland Social at the American Legion Hall, 5857 Forbes Ave. in Squirrel Hill, 8:00PM. Music with CCE Musicians. Information: Ray Connolly at 412-373-7252.
Saturday, April 11 · All Ireland Social at the American Legion Hall, 5857 Forbes Ave. in Squirrel Hill, 8:00PM. Music with CCE Musicians. Information: Ray Connolly at 412-373-7252.
July 2009 – The AOH Pennsylvania State Convention will take place at the Radisson Hotel in Monroeville. Information: Denny Donnelly, 412-276-9312, Email: ddon633@comcast.net and Patti Flaus, Email: pyecat54@comcast.net.
August 14, 2009 – PBS, WQED TV presents Daniel O’Donnell in Concert. Details TBA.
January - Dorothy Flaherty Weldon, National President, LAOH and Martin J. Flaherty, Plumbing & Heating 412.531.3948 February - The Irish Society for Education and Charity March - GDC Fine Jewelry, 724.864.5000 April - Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, Maude Gonne Division 32, Carnegie May - Terry Callahan & AOH Allegheny County Hunger Project June - Echoes of Erin July - Dorothy Flaherty Weldon, National President, Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, Inc. and Eyes On Regent Square – Eye Care Center with Dr. Maureen Weldon Kamons. August - Pittsburgh Irish Rowing Club September - Echoes of Erin October - Echoes of Erin November - AOH St. Patrick Division 4, North Hills – Irish Blessings December - Echoes of Erin – “Christmas Travels around Ireland’
December 28 1673 - Birth of Marmaduke Coghill, lawyer, judge and MP 1795 - Lord Gosford, Governor of Armagh declares the Orange Order a "lawless banditti" 1880 - The trial of Parnell and others for conspiracy begins on this date 1883 - St John Greer Ervine, playwright, author, critic and manager of the Abbey Theatre from 1915 to 1916, is born in Belfast 1997 - The British government orders the deployment of the SAS in Mid-Ulster in a bid to thwart another Loyalist Volunteer Force outrage as IRA commanders in Tyrone meet in emergency session in an effort to keep the lid on the Provo ceasefire 2000 - Heavy snow and freezing temperatures are reported throughout the country. The heaviest snowfall in 18 years brings chaos to the North.
December 29 1766 - Richard Dawson, MP for Monaghan Borough, dies on this date. Before his death, his bank - Wilcox & Dawson of Dublin, which was established in 1747 - closes with debts thought to amount to £192,000 1829 - Fr. John B. Bannon, Confederate Army Chaplain, is born in Co. Leitrim 1864 - The National Association of Ireland is founded in Dublin, backed by the Catholic hierarchy and intended to foster cooperation with English radicals to promote disestablishment of the Church of Ireland 1876 - The Society for the Preservation of the Irish Language is formed in Dublin 1902 - Birth of Edward Pakenham, 6th Earl of Longford; theatrical producer and dramatist 1932 - Eileen Desmond, Labour politician, is born in Kinsale, Co. Cork 1997 - Secretary of State Mo Mowlam holds day-long crisis talks with security chiefs and prison officials amid renewed calls for her resignation and fears that breakaway loyalist and republican terror bosses will ruthlessly exploit any political vacuum 1998 - Battered by gale-force winds and torrential rain, The Isle of Man ferry runs aground in Dublin Bay 1998 - More than 12,000 families across the country face their fifth day of candle-light and cold meals as the painstaking process of repairing storm-damaged electricity lines drags on 2000 - One of the coldest spells to grip the country in decades continues 2001 - Singer Daniel O'Donnell is awarded an honorary MBE in the Queen's honours list for his decades of service to the music industry. Fashion designer John Rocha is awarded a CBE.
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.
This is my Christmas message to all my Pennsylvania AOH Brothers and Sisters.
A Blessed and Happy Christmas to all my AOH Brothers and Sisters!
In many of our conversations this Christmas Season, we are focusing on our fears about the economy, in our own country and abroad. Why? Because that’s the way it is. Fear and compassion abound as each week, we learn of real live people -- people we know -- losing their homes or jobs. Whether we want to or not, we have an anxiety about what might lie ahead in the economy.
But -- isn’t Christmas, more than any other season, the time for good news? These are anxious times. What is the Good News this Christmas? The Good News is the same every Christmas – that Jesus, from the day of His birth in Bethlehem, took on every human experience except sin. Jesus embraced in his time what we face in a very real way this Christmas – uncertainty. Like ourselves, Jesus faced economic, political, and personal uncertainties. We are not alone.
This, I see, as the Good News of every Christmas - that the Babe of Bethlehem came down upon this earth to become our Brother, to be with us a show us His Love in all our every day joys and sorrows. Jesus came to let us know that we are never alone, that is why he is Emmanuel – the Name which means that God is with us!
I will remember all of you in my Masses and prayers during this Christmas Season. With every blessing and best wish,
Ms. Flanagan asked her Sunday School class to draw pictures of their favorite Bible stories. She was puzzled by Billy O'Riley's picture, which showed four people on an airplane, so she asked him which story it was meant to represent. "The flight to Egypt," said Kyle. "I see. And that must be Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus," Ms. Terri said. "But who's the fourth person?"
December 21 1796 - A French fleet under General Hoche with Wolfe Tone, 43 vessels and 14,500 men sails from Brest in December and is scattered by storms; 36 ships arrive at Bantry Bay but do not attempt a landing and return to France, thus preventing what might have been an Irish/French victory over the English 1821 - Birth in Co. Carlow of Samuel Haughton, scientist, mathematician and doctor; he is "famous" for calculating the drop required to kill a hanged man instantly 1915 - Violet Martin, an Irish novelist who wrote under the pen name, Martin Ross, dies. Edith Somerville continues to list her as co-author 1919 - Dáil Éireann meets for the first time and elects Eamon de Valera as President of Ireland 1924 - Golfer Christy O'Connor is born in Knocknacarragh, Co. Galway 1934 - An Anglo-Irish 'cattle and coal' pact is signed 1948 - Republic of Ireland Act passed by Dáil 1985 - Progressive Democrats founded by Dan O'Malley, Mary Harney, and other former members of Fianna Fáil, following split within party 1998 - Clear skies over Co. Meath guarantee one of the best winter solstice displays ever witnessed at the Newgrange burial tomb 2001 - University College Cork is awarded a £62.2m research grant, the highest research funding ever secured under the Government's prestigious Programme for Research at Third Level Institutes 2001 - The pedestrian Ha'penny Bridge across Dublin's River Liffey is reopened after a multimillion pound restoration.
December 22 1691 - Patrick Sarsfield and The Wild Geese sail out of Cork harbour for France 1740 - Joseph Stock, bishop and author, is born in Dublin 1919 - "The Better Government of Ireland Bill" proposes two home rule parliaments, for the six north-eastern counties and the remaining 26, to come into effect in May 1920 1943 - The government announces that henceforth bus-queuing is compulsory throughout Ireland if more than five people are waiting at a bus-stop 1948 - Birth of TV presenter, Noel Edmonds 1961 - Marcus O'Sullivan, athlete, is born in Cork 1965 - The Succession Act secures to widows a third of the estate (half if they have no children) and empowers the court to make provisions for children 1974 -The London home of the Conservative leader and former Prime Minister Edward Heath is damaged from the impact of a bomb planted by the IRA. The attack comes just hours before a Christmas truce is due to come into effect 1989 - Death of Samuel Beckett 1997 - Northern Ireland Secretary Mo Mowlam battles to save the Stormont talks from total collapse as four Ulster Unionist MPs withdraw their support for their party's continuing participation in the negotiations 1997 - The funeral of former Minister for Agriculture, Jim Gibbons, takes place in his native Kilkenny 1998 - Legislation to ensure the compilation of a full record of the country's important buildings and monuments which should be protected is circulated by the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, Síle de Valera 2002 - The Minister for the Marine, Dermot Ahern, warns about the possibility of a "war on the seas" as a result of the failure by the European Union to agree on a policy relating to the Irish Box fishing area.
December 23 1686 - Samuel Madden, writer, economist and philanthropist, is born in Dublin 1688 - James II is deposed and flees to France 1770 - The Steelboys or Hearts of Steel, a Protestant agrarian protest movement, is involved in conflict in Ulster - 500 Steelboys release a prisoner in Belfast on 23 December 1864 - Death of James Bronterre O’Brien, Longford-born leader of the British Chartist movement 1900 - Noel Purcell, actor, is born in Dublin 1920 - The Government of Ireland Act enforces the secession of the six Northern Irish counties from the rest of Ireland 1950 - A bank strike that will last eight weeks begins on this date 2002 - The second 55ft section of the Spire of Dublin — better known as The Spike — is hauled into place.
December 24 1601 - The Battle of Kinsale. Hugh O'Neill and Red Hugh O'Donnell are heavily defeated by Mountjoy 1701 - Captain Thomas Bellew fights a duel with Major-General William Stewart on Christmas Eve - both men's right hands are disabled as a result of war wounds, and Bellew has served under Stewart. Stewart fires from two yards and blows Bellew's hat off, whereupon Bellew throws his pistol away, saying he does not wish to kill Stewart 1709 - Alan Brodrick, Speaker of the House of Commons, is appointed Lord Chief Justice of the Court of Queen's Bench 1713 - The second Irish parliament of Queen Anne sits from 25 November to this date. The Whig Alan Brodrick is elected Speaker for the second time (having served 21 September 1703 to 19 May 1710), in place of John Forster, after a stormy contest with the government's Tory nominee, Sir Richard Levinge 1810 - John O'Connell, politician, is born in Dublin 1889 - Captain William O'Shea files for divorce, citing Parnell as his wife Kitty's lover, thus causing moral outrage and the subsequent loss of Parnell's political power 1895 - The 15-man crew of a Dun Laoghaire lifeboat crew is lost in a gale while attempting a rescue from a stricken vessel off Blackrock 1921 - Gerard Victory, composer, is born in Dublin 1942 - Psychiatrist and broadcaster Dr. Anthony Clare is born in Dublin 1997 - In one of the worst storms in living memory, seven people die and many others are injured as hurricane-force winds wreak havoc across the country 1998 - After 26 years, an exceptional era in broadcasting comes to a close on this date when Gay Byrne does his final morning radio show on RTE Radio One. 2002 - President Mary McAleese breaks her ankle in a skiing accident in Austria
December 25 1185 - Around Christmas, a crown that Henry had sought from the papacy for John's use as king of Ireland is delivered, but will never be used 1351 - William Ó Ceallaigh, chief of Uí Mhaine, holds a great Christmas feast for the bards of Ireland 1715 - Joshua Dawson sells the Mansion House with its gardens and park to Dublin Corporation for £3,500 plus 40 shillings per annum and a 'loaf of double refined sugar of six pounds weight' which is to be paid to the Dawsons every Christmas 1744 - Sir John Parnell, Chancellor of the Irish Exchequer, is born in Co. Laois 1781 - John Ward, mystic and religious writer, is born in Queenstown, Co. Cork 1824 - William Lawless, United Irishmen and officer in Napoleon's Irish Legion, dies in Paris 1829 - Patrick Sarsfield Gilmore, bandmaster and composer, is born in Co. Dublin 1831 - Christopher Palles, judge and Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer in Ireland is born in Dublin 1844 - Rev. William Steel Dickson, Presbyterian minister and United Irishmen supporter, is born in Co. Antrim 1860 - Patrick Dinneen (Pádraig Ó Duinnín) priest, lexicographer and editor, is born in Rathmore, Co. Kerry 1873 - Patrick Gallagher aka 'Paddy the Cope', cooperative society developer, is born in Cleendra, Co. Donegal 1881 - Sir John Greer Dill, Field-Marshalis born in Lurgan, Co. Armagh 1916 - Irish prisoners interned at Frongoch are released 1941 - Jim Bolger, racehorse trainer, is born in Co. Wexford 1974 - Harry Kernoff, Irish artist in oils and woodcuts, dies 1999 - While most parts of the country experience heavy rain and winds, the snow capped Knockmealdown and Comeragh mountains in Co Waterford are picturesque on Christmas Day, particularly for punters who had a flutter on a White Christmas. The presence of snow in many areas costs bookmaker Paddy Power £50,000 2000 - Swimmers around the country brave icy seas and teeth chattering winds as the annual Christmas fund raising swims get off to a chilly start. Temperatures in coastal areas range from zero to four degrees 2002 - Ireland experiences its mildest Christmas in over a decade. In the liturgical calendar, today celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ.
December 26 1381 - The sudden death of Edmund Mortimer at Cork leaves the colony without effective leadership and prompts a military crisis 1820 - Dion Boucicault, dramatist and actor, is born in Dublin 1823 - John Cairnes, economist, is born in Castle Bellingham, Co. Louth 1950 - James Stephens, writer, dies 1997 - St. Stephen's Day fox hunts are marked by major animal welfare protests with Gardaí forced to separate hunt supporters and animal welfare activists 1998 - Thousands of homes and businesses in the northern half of the country are without electricity as hurricane-force gales and gusts of over 100 miles per hour send poles crashing to the ground and entangle wires in fallen trees. Galway, Mayo, Sligo and Donegal are the worst affected counties 1998 - Former IRA Chief of Staff, Cathal Goulding, dies in a Dublin hospital 1999 - Hundreds of people walk through the Glen of the Downs in a show of solidarity with eco warriors, despite a Government order closing off the nature reserve to the public 2001 - Politicians from all parties join in mourning the passing of Mark Clinton, who was a major figure in Irish public life over three decades. Mr. Clinton died peacefully at Lucan Lodge Nursing Home, in Lucan, Co Dublin, on December 23, after a lengthy illness In the liturgical calendar, today is the feast of St. Stephen. (see our article: St. Stephen's to New Years Eve)
December 27 1601 - Red Hugh O'Donnell leaves Ireland for Spain; Hugh O'Neill withdraws to Ulster 1727 - Arthur Murphy, actor and playwright, is born in Cloonyquin, Co. Roscommon 1791 - 68 conservative members secede from the Catholic Committee, which thereby becomes more militant 1821 - Lady Jane Francesca Wilde is born in Co. Wexford. Author, poet and the mother of Oscar Wilde, she is also known as Speranza. Note: Many sources give the year of birth as 1826 1849 - James Fintan Lalor, Young Irelander, dies 1904 - Séamus Byrne, lawyer and playwright, is born in Dublin 1904 - The Abbey Theatre opens with productions of Yeat's "On Baile's Strand" and "Cathleen ni Houlihan", as well as Lady Gregory's "Spreading the News" 1904 - George Bernard Shaw's John Bull's Other Island is performed in London 1960 - Death of Elizabeth Crotty, Irish traditional musician and activist for Comhaltas Ceoltóiri Éireann 1969 - Dan Breen, IRA leader during War of Independence dies 1997 - A leading protestant paramilitary, Billy Wright, is shot dead at the maximum security Maze prison in Northern Ireland 1999 - After a five-year delay, the construction of the £204 million Dublin Port tunnel is finally approved 2000 - A White Christmas arrives late in many parts of the country. The post Christmas whiteout leaves the west and north west blanketed in snow with even offshore islands, where snow rarely lies, covered to a depth of several inches 2001 - Sales fever drives bargain hunters from their beds to join pre-dawn queues as the nation goes on a record £1bn consumer splurge 2002 - A young man is “executed” in north Belfast as the simmering feud among loyalist paramilitaries erupts 2002 - Leopardstown loses up to €500,000 in revenue. Day two of the big Dublin race meeting is cancelled because of water-logging.
I was honored to be at brother John Graf's special Winter White Wedding reception gathering this past Wednesday to give away one free WWW to a local Pittsburgh area veteran of the Iraqi/Afghanistan wars (see Winter White Wedding details here - http://www.thepriory.com/winterwhite.asp).
With about 60 people in attendance. The Priory had 11 contestant couples, 7 of whom were able to be present and one who was represented by family and friends.
The winners of the wedding drawing were Nicholas Lee Lowery and Jennifer Lynn Redman. Nicholas is a corporal in the Marine Corps who had been deployed to Al Anbar Province in Iraq in 2006. There he had provided protection to convoys as a .50 caliber machine gunner. He is still on active duty and plans to be a career Marine. Jennifer is a student at Robert Morris University and lives in the North Hills.
They could not attend the event because they were traveling to South Carolina to watch Jennifer’s brother graduate from Marine Basic Training on Parris Island.
It was a very emotional and proud event and we'll keep you posted.
Driving home, I thought I'd offer a small Christmas Gifting idea to all of you.
Since most of all of us have so much, I thought you might be interested to spread a little holiday cheer to a few charities that support our troops too.
Instead of the normal gifts you might give friends, consider a donation in the name of your friends to the following charities. Even though it's close to Christmas and several of these organizations are wrapping up their efforts for the holiday, they all can use donations anytime - some will take online donations.
Here are just a few:
Pittsburgh based - http://www.operationtroopappreciation.org/index.php
Please put this emergency need from Father Pavone and the Priest for Life. By giving a little from many works, this is the way the President-elect was elected. Let's use a plan from his book. --Bob Haley Firefighter John J Redmond Division 22 Division President Pa. State Chairman Catholic Action Phila County Chairman Mission & Charities
Dear Friend,
Since it’s almost Christmas, I’m going to get right to the point.
To be blunt, it’s critically important that you take action right now because come January 20 and the inauguration of Barack Obama as President, the abortion industry will come after the unborn – and Priests for Life as well – with a vengeance.
I’ve sent you this urgent email because Priests for Life is all but tapped out and I’m begging you to make a special “End of Year” contribution to help us replenish our depleted cash supply so that we can continue to lead the pro-life movement’s all-out fight to defend the innocent unborn!
For that to happen it’s critical you click here and follow the instructions!
Your immediate help is especially needed because those in the mainstream news media who support abortion will bombard our fellow Americans with false reports that the election of Obama is a sign that America has “moved beyond abortion” ... or “gotten over its fixation on the fetus” ... and is now willing to accept abortion-on-demand as the law of the land.
Nothing could be further from the truth!
In fact, a recent poll conducted by the Marist College Institute of Public Opinion shows that only eight percent of Americans support the extremist abortion policy of Roe v Wade, namely, that a woman has the legal right to kill her unborn child for any reason and throughout all nine months of pregnancy.
That means that 92% of our fellow Americans want abortion restricted in some way. And of those: · 32 percent say abortion should only be allowed in cases of rape, incest or to save the life of the mother. · 15 percent say only to save the life of the mother. · And the remaining 13 percent believe as you and I do; namely, that abortion should never be permitted under any circumstance.
Even more telling, the Marist study found that even among those who call themselves “pro-choice,” only 15 percent favor unrestricted abortion throughout all nine months of pregnancy ... which is what Roe v Wade currently allows.
This tells you that just as the 2006 election was a referendum on the war in Iraq, so the 2008 was a referendum on the economy. It had nothing to do with your pro-life values. Bottom line:
Thanks to the sacrifices which you and others like you have made ... ... America continues to move in a pro-life direction!
Our job, then, as I told you a few days ago when I asked you to make a commitment to support Priests for Life throughout the coming battle ... ... is to make our fellow Americans aware of the fact that abortion corrupts our whole society and retards progress on all the other issues that concern them ... including the economy!
But you can bet that the heralds of the culture of death will make it as difficult for us to accomplish that mission as they possibly can.
I am convinced that once the abortion zealots take office, they will come after Priests for Life and do whatever they can to silence our voice.
I say that because that’s exactly what happened in the 1990s when Bill Clinton was President. Back then, Janet Reno and the Justice Department tried all kinds of maneuvers to stop pro-life groups.
I expect abortion extremists working in the Obama Administration to do the same now.
They will come after us and try to shut us down.
They will use laws passed during the early years of the Clinton Administration … such as FACE – the “Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances”. They will try to paint pro-life efforts as violent, and will attempt to find IRS violations.
Priests for Life needs to be at full strength if we are to beat back any and all attempts to shut us down!
Which is why it’s so vital that you click here and follow the instructions!
But the situation for the unborn and our pro-life movement gets worse.
While attacking Priests for Life and other pro-life organizations on that front, the abortionists will also work to get Congress to pass the diabolical “Freedom of Choice Act” ... FOCA. This is the most extreme piece of pro-abortion legislation. It goes far beyond Roe v Wade. It’s simply diabolical because, if passed, it would undo all your hard work and set back our entire pro-life movement.
Priests for Life needs to be at full strength if we are to defeat the drive to pass FOCA! Again, that’s why you need to click here right now!
But there’s still more.
With Obama in the White House and pro-abortion zealots in control of the Senate, the abortion industry will pressure them to pack the Supreme Court and all federal courts with judges whose decisions will keep abortion-on-demand legal for generations to come.
Priests for Life needs to be at full strength so that we can lead the fight to oppose the confirmation of radical activist judges to the Supreme Court and other federal benches ... ... and why you need to click here!
Believe me when I tell you that those who support the killing of the innocent unborn take no prisoners! They do not compromise. They do not negotiate. They do not tolerate anything but blind acceptance of their anti-life agenda!
What’s more, they know that Priests for Life is the recognized leader of the pro-life movement.
Which means that in order for them to advance their extremist pro-abortion agenda ... ... they must first destroy Priests for Life and silence our voice!
No pro-life organization in America is more onerous to them than Priests for Life.
That said ... Priests for Life needs to be at full strength if the unborn are to have a champion who will defend them and protect them from the coming persecution!
Please click here right now to help make that happen!
That’s where things stand and why I sent you this urgent email.
It is absolutely vital that you click here and rush Priests for Life the largest gift you can and help us replenish our depleted funds so that, come January 20, we will be able to:
1. Defend ourselves and other pro-life organizations from the attacks that are sure to come as the abortion industry seeks to destroy all those who stand in the way of their drive to make abortion-on-demand the law of the land for generations to come!
2. Aggressively recruit pro-life Americans to get actively involved in our fight to end abortion.
3. Activate the clergy – of all denominations – to speak out boldly against abortion and lead the people of life as we take to the streets and demand that children in the womb be protected in law.
4. Stand up to the powerful abortion lobby and oppose all pro-abortion legislation and all pro-abortion initiatives ... including the appointment of pro-abortion judges to the Supreme Court and other federal courts.
Those are our four top priorities right now.
But there’s no way Priests for Life can do any of that work without your immediate financial help today.
So please, before you hit the “delete” tab or do on to your next email ... ... click here and follow the instructions!
There is literally no time to lose. As I told you, our funds are tapped out. We spent every last nickel we had trying to convince our fellow Americans to heed the cry of the unborn and vote their pro-life principles.
Unfortunately, too few heard those pleas for help. They were too caught up in their own worries about the economy.
We will never win the fight to end abortion until we first convince enough of our fellow Americans that their futures rest on the future of the unborn.
Until the unalienable right to life for all Americans – born and unborn – is protected in law, our entire society will remain corrupt ... including the economy!
Fortunately, the election of Barack Obama to the Presidency has caused the scales to fall from many eyes.
I am absolutely certain that his election will spark a revival within our pro-life movement.
But in order to ignite that spark and turn it into an all-out pro-life wildfire ... ... Priests for Life must be at full strength – both spiritually and financially!
So hold nothing back. Click here to rush Priests for Life the largest contribution you can give at this critical time!
Now is the moment of truth for the unborn and our pro-life movement. Give of yourself like never before. God is watching. He wants to see how we react to adversity.
If we remain faithful to Him and to the children He created, He will deliver His enemies into our hands.
So let’s show Him the depth of our love for Him ... for His precious gift of life ... and for His innocent unborn babies!!! Remember: God is never outdone in generosity!!! So give without counting the cost. That’s the only way we will win the fight to end abortion.
Thank you for whatever help you can send today. And know that in thanksgiving for your support – both your prayers and your financial gift – I will remember you at each Mass that I offer; and so will our other priests: Fr. Quinn, Fr. Wilde, Fr. West, and Fr. Salomon. God bless you.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Fr. Frank Pavone National Director, Priests for Life and Gospel of Life Ministries
P.S. I know you don’t support our work to defend the unborn for any selfish reason. But since Priests for Life is a non-profit organization, the contributions you make to our work are tax-deductible.
That being the case, I want you to know that this may be your last chance to send Priests for Life a gift and have it count toward your 2008 taxes. Again, I know that’s not why you give to our mission but I felt compelled to mention it to you just the same. In any case, the dollars you send today will be put to work immediately to uphold the unalienable right to life for all Americans – born and unborn.
For myself, I will not rest until we have won the fight to end abortion. And I willingly make that sacrifice because I know that you are making similar sacrifices. Having you beside me is a great comfort. Thank you for your faithfulness ... and I pray that God bless you now at Christmas and throughout the coming year.
NOTE: If you prefer to send a check, please make it out to Priests for Life and send it to us at PO Box 141172, Staten Island, NY 10314. If you have any questions, call us toll-free at 888-735-3448.
If you do not wish to receive any emails from us, let us know at unsubscribe@pr iestsforlife.org. However, unsubscribing will deprive you of some important and helpful information in the months to come, and therefore we strongly encourage you to stay on our list!
December 14 1585 - Nicholas Walsh, Bishop of Ossory and a pioneer of printing in Irish type, is murdered by James Dullard, against whom he had proceeded in his court for adultery 1715 - Irish-born Thomas Dongan, soldier and colonial governor of New York, dies in Ireland 1791 - Charles Wolfe, poet and clergyman, is born in Blackhall, Co. Kildare 1822 - A 'bottle riot' takes place on this date. Missiles are thrown at the vice-regal box during a performance in a Dublin theatre as a result of Wellesley banning celebrations in memory of William III 1831 - A process server and 12 policemen are killed by tithe protesters at Carrickshock, Co. Kilkenny 1900 - Maud Gonne and Paul Kruger (former president of the Transvaal) are offered the freedom of Limerick by the city council 1918 - Sinn Féin, pledged to an Irish Republic, wins 73 of 105 Irish MP seats. Winners include Constance Markievicz who becomes the first woman elected to the Parliament of England 1921 - Dáil Éireann begins Anglo-Irish treaty debate 1955 - The Republic of Ireland becomes a member of the United Nations 1965 - An Anglo-Irish free trade agreement is signed; the UK and Ireland undertake to establish a free trade area by the mid-1970s 1982 - FitzGerald succeeds Haughey as Taoiseach 1985 - Jack Charlton quits as Ireland manager 1998 - Farmers are to be banned from feeding antibiotic enhanced animal feed to pigs and poultry amid fears that drug residues in meat are a health risk for humans 2001 - Euro kits distributed by the Central Bank go on sale in post offices throughout the country. Demand for the packs, comprising of 19 coins and priced at £5 (€6.35), is brisk, with nearly all the big towns and cities selling out by evening 2001 - Garda technical experts examine 180 rounds of ammunition found on the outskirts of Cork city which they believe may be connected to the Real IRA.
December 15 1760 - John MacNaghten, a gambler, duellist and criminal, is hanged at Strabane jail for his involvement in the killing of Mary Anne Knox, daughter of Andrew Knox MP. At the first attempt to hang him, the rope breaks but, ignoring offers from the crowd to help him make his escape, he declares that he does not wish to be known for ever as 'half-hung McNaghten' and asks the hangman to proceed 1899 - Irish units of the Boer army face the Dublin Fusiliers, Connaught Rangers and the Inniskillings in the battle of Colenso 1930- Edna O’Brien, novelist and short story-writer, is born 1971 - Death of General Richard Mulcahy, Irish Volunteer and TD 1993 - Albert Reynolds and John Major sign the Downing Street Declaration: if the IRA stops its campaign for three months, Sinn Féin will be allowed to join all-party talks.
December 16 1653 - Oliver Cromwell becomes Lord Protector of Ireland 1780 - John Beresford is appointed Chief Commissioner of Revenue 1838 - John Gubbins, racehorse owner and breeder, is born in Kilfrush, Co. Limerick 1922 - Arthur Griffith and his ministers assume seat of government at Dublin Castle 1939 - Barney McKenna of the Dubliners is born 1969 - Swimmer and Olympic gold medalist Michelle de Bruin (née Smith) is born in Rathcoole, Co. Dublin 1987 - Fairytale of New York by the Pogues and Kirsty McColl reaches no. 2 in the British charts 1997 - Tom Parlon is elected President of the Irish Farmers' Association 1998 - More than 250 guests pay tribute to Gay Byrne at a surprise farewell party 1999 - Padraic Wilson, a senior republican tipped to represent the IRA in disarmament talks, is given an early release from Northern Ireland’s top security Maze Prison 2002 - The 15 European Union Agriculture Ministers begin talks on the future of EU fish quotas amid calls for the toughest cutbacks ever.
December 17 1165 - John, the son of Henry II, returns to England after touring parts of southern Ireland. John de Courcy is appointed justiciar 1785 - Sir William Napier, general and historian, is born in Celbridge, Co. Kildare 1803 - Rebel leader Michael Dwyer, whose guerrilla attacks had maddened British colonial authorities since 1798, surrenders 1867 - Henry Harrison, nationalist politician and writer, is born in Holywood, Co. Down 1885 - The results of newspaper reports of Gladstone's conversion to Home Rule, following the general election, gives Parnellites the balance of power 1971 - Soldier and politician General Richard Mulcahy dies in Dublin 1983 - An IRA car bomb kills 3 police officers and 3 shoppers outside Harrods in London’s Knightsbridge; scores are injured 1997 - New regulations are unveiled which confer sweeping discretionary powers on Departmental officials responsible for processing asylum applications, including the authority to summarily deport foreigners 1997 - British Prime Minister Tony Blair makes a fleeting visit to Belfast in a bid to boost the faltering peace process 1998 - Danny McNamee's12-year campaign to clear his name of a terrorist conviction ends in triumph 1999 - The State announces the purchase of the 550 acre Battle of the Boyne site for about £9 million. The seller is an unidentified businessman.
December 18 1781 - Barry Yelverton introduces the bill that will become Yelverton's Act; the bill is an amendment of Poyning's Act and states that only bills passed by both Irish houses of Parliament would be forwarded to England for assent (see entry for July 27, 1782) 1798 - James Henry, physician and classical scholar, is born in Dublin 1801 - John Hely-Hutchinson Jr, MP for Cork Borough, is created Baron Hutchinson of Alexandria and Knocklofty for his military service 1850 - Birth in Bruff, Co. Limerick of James Bourchier, Times correspondent in the Balkan peninsula 1871 - The first ever rugby international is held in Ireland. The North are defeated by the West of Scotland 1878 - Joseph O'Neill, novelist and civil servant, is born in Tuam, Co. Galway 1964 - Sean O'Faolain's autobiography "Vive Moi" is published 1970 - Jockey Pat Taffe retires 1980 - Prisoners in Armagh and Long Kesh end their hunger strike on promises of political status. The promises are not kept 1998 - The Loyalist Volunteer Force becomes the first terrorist group in Northern Ireland to decommission some of its weapons 1999 - A limestone sundial built on a hilltop at the Dursey Sound in West Cork is set to capture Europe’s last daylight of the second Christian millennium 2000 - A boating accident in Mexico claims the life of singer Kirsty MacColl. She was best known for her vocals alongside The Pogues’ Shane McGowan on the 1987 Christmas No 1, Fairytale of New York 2000 - The first Diploma in Nursing students from Cork University Hospital graduate on this date. 178 students are awarded diplomas in nursing, and higher diplomas in midwifery and public health 2001 - The Conservative Party ends more than three decades of co-operation over Northern Ireland in protest at the British government's plans to allow Sinn Féin MPs to use offices at Westminster 2002 - The first section of the Dublin spire is lifted into place 2002 - According to the latest census figures, the prospect of a Catholic majority in Northern Ireland is fast becoming a reality 2002 - A study reveals that Ireland is the third worst country in Europe for traffic gridlock 2002 - The Irish and British governments issue firm assurances about the temporary nature of arrangements in operation during the current suspension of the elected Northern Ireland Assembly In the liturgical calendar, today is the feast day of St. Flannan, first Bishop of Clare.
December 19 11751 - The Irish Parliament authorizes application of a revenue surplus to the reduction of the national debt which causes a dispute between the House of Commons and the Government 1813 - Thomas Andrews, scientist and research chemist, is born in Belfast 1877 - Land League organizer, Michael Davitt, is released from Dartmoor Prison 1922 - Birth in Dublin of Eamon Andrews, Ireland's first media superstar 1972 - Thin Lizzy reach no. 1 in the Irish charts with Whiskey In The Jar 1973 - The Supreme Court in Dublin decides by a majority of four to one that a ban on contraceptives is unconstitutional 1974 - Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh is inaugurated as the fifth president of the Irish Republic following the death of Erskine Childers 1999 - Sinn Féin says it has no knowledge that Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness are to be given Westminster offices without having to swear an oath of allegiance 2001 - Experts at the National Museum of Ireland confirm that two pieces of gold jewellery discovered on a beach in Co. Mayo are priceless ribbon torcs which may be up to 3,200 years old 2002 - Unionist leader David Trimble walks out of talks aimed at restoring the North’s government and parliament after documents leaked in Dublin say the IRA is still active 2002 - In Limerick, hundreds take part part in a candlelit peace march to express their sympathy and support for families who have lost loved ones through violence 2002 - Armed raiders get away with an estimated quarter of a million Euro after a raid on the Ulster Bank in Palmerstown in west Dublin.
December 20 1638 - Birth of Narcissus Marsh, provost of Trinity College Dublin and founder of Marsh's Library - the oldest public library in Ireland 1645 - Edward Worcester, Earl of Glamorgan, aristocrat and inventor, is sent to Ireland to raise troops for the king; he makes two secret treaties with the confederates - one on the 25 August and the other on this date 1769 - Sir Martin Shee, portrait painter and president of the Royal Academy, is born in Dublin 1780 - John Wilson Croker, politician and essayist, is born in Galway 1799 - Nicholas Callan, priest, physicist, writer, and inventor of the induction coil, is born in Dromiskin, Co. Louth 1859 - Birth of Kuno Meyer, Irish Celtic scholar 1865 - Birth in Dublin of Maud Gonne McBride, revolutionary and patriot, who dedicates her life to the attainment of an independent Irish nation 1902 - The Dunraven land conference, representing landlords and tenants, opens at the Mansion House, Dublin 1909 - Ireland’s first cinematographic theatre, the Volta, opens in Dublin, under the managership of James Joyce 1950 - The Industrial Development Authority is founded in the Republic 1961 - Robert McGladdery is hanged in Belfast for murder: his is the last judicial execution in Ireland 1998 - There is renewed speculation that the IRA will make a token gesture on the issue of decommissioning before 1998 passes into history 1999 - Another attempt to prevent Wicklow County Council building a controversial dual carriageway through the Glen of the Downs is rejected in the Supreme Court 2000 - The bomb making capacity of dissident terrorists is severely dented with the seizure of almost 400 sticks of Frangex commercial plastic explosive in Co. Kilkenny 2000 - A record 653 entries from 2,000 students is received for the Esat Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition 2000 - The Guinness Book of World Records confirms that an eight-inch egg laid by "Queen Maeve", a Belclare duck owned by the Costello family of Galway, is the world’s largest 2001 - The first casualty of the proposed 250 job cuts at the Irish Times is the Chairman of the Trust, Major Thomas McDowell, who earns close to £500,000 a year.
'O'Ryan,' asked the druggist, 'did that mudpack I gave you improve your wife's appearance?' 'It did surely,' replied O'Ryan, 'but it keeps fallin' off!'
December 7 521 - Birth of St. Columcille, Irish bard and monk honored in all the Celtic lands 1487 - The Earl of Desmond is murdered at the instigation of his brother, John; another brother, Maurice, is his heir 1688 - Thirteen 'Apprentice Boys' refuse to let a Catholic army into Derry/Londonderry (7 December); Tyrconnell backs down and allows the city to keep its Protestant garrison. Enniskillen also defies James II 1754 - Francis Rawdon-Hastings, 1st Marquess of Hastings, soldier and colonial administrator, is born in Dublin 1768 - William Bulkely, an officer in the Irish Brigade of France, is born in Clonmel, Co. Tipperary 1879 - Birth in Tralee, Co. Kerry of Austin Stack, anti-Treaty nationalist 1888 - (Arthur) Joyce Cary, author, is born in Derry/Londonderry. Two of his novels were made into films: The Horse's Mouth (1958) starring Sir. Alec Guinness and Mister Johnson (1990) 1922 - The six counties of Northern Ireland opt out of the Free State 1972 - "Special position" of the Catholic Church is removed by referendum from Irish constitution 1998 - The IRA makes an historic decision to start decommissioning following an IRA Army Convention meeting in Donegal 2000 - Blackrock Castle in Cork City goes on the auction block with a starting bid of £850,000. There are no bidders.
December 8 1831 - Death of James Hoban, the Kilkenny architect who designed the White House 1896 - Death of Isabella Maria Susan Tod, Irish women's rights activist 1922 - Liam Mellows, Rory O'Connor, Joseph McKelvey and Richard Barrett, Irish patriots - one from each of the four provinces - are executed by the Free State forces 1881 - Birth in Longford of Padraic Colum playwright, poet and novelist 1939 - Birth of Belfast flutist* Sir James Galway. *Sir James has publicly stated on several occasions that he plays the flute - not the flaut 1945 - John Banville, novelist, is born in Wexford 1980 - Haughey and Thatcher meet in Dublin and agree to consider 'the totality of relationships within these islands' 1999 - The Government implements a 32-year old law banning the sale of turkeys, ducks and geese at livestock marts 2002 - Gardaí recover €100,000 in coins stolen from the Pennies from Heaven charity 2002 - Hundreds of anti-war demonstrators march on Shannon airport in protest at the continued use of the airport by the US Air Force in preparation for possible war in the Gulf In the liturgical calendar, today is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. If it falls on a week day, Roman Catholic schoolchildren get a holiday and in recent times, it has become the custom to go Christmas shopping in the city.
December 9 1791 - Sir Thomas Wyse, politician and diplomat, is born in St John, Co. Waterford 1861 - John O'Donovan, Irish language scholar, dies 1952 - The Irish Management Institute holds its inaugural meeting 1973 - At Sunningdale, Berkshire, British Prime Minister Edward Heath, Irish premier Liam Cosgrave, and representatives of the Ulster Unionist Party, the Social Democratic and Labour Party and the Alliance Party of Northern Ireland, sign an historic agreement to set up a Council of Ireland 2000 - Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern arrives for the third day of the European Summit in Nice. Leaders of the 15 EU states have convened in this heavily guarded city to tackle a tough agenda which centers on the future structure of the European Union and the integration of new member states 2002 - Carlow town wins first place in the inaugural all-Ireland anti-litter league. Accepting the award, Carlow’s civic leader Mayor Michael Abbey said the town had enthusiastically embraced the competition which involved 29 towns, including three from Northern Ireland 2002 - Tourism Ireland and Bord Fáilte unveil plans to increase the number of tourists by 5% in 2003, despite the prospect of higher prices across the sector. 2005 - Nearly 150,000 people take to the streets as the Irish Ferries protest mushroomed into the largest public demonstration the country has seen for two decades. 2005 - President Mary McAleese and Queen Elizabeth II meet in Northern Ireland. According to President McAleese, this historic event could clear the way for an unprecedented State visit. No British monarch has made such a trip since George V visited Dublin in 1911, a decade before partition.
December 10 1479 - Garret More Fitzgerald of Kildare, the 'Great Earl', holds a parliament in Dublin from 10 December; it will run, with adjournments, into 1481 1690 - Sir John Dillon, MP for Co. Meath, fights a duel with the Earl of Anglesey 1920 - Martial law is imposed in Cork, Kerry, Limerick and Tipperary 1939 - Birth in Waterford of Brendan Bowyer, "Ireland's answer to Elvis" and the lead singer with the Royal Showband 1944 - The Dublin actor Wilfrid Brambell takes over from Jimmy O’Dea in the annual Christmas pantomime at the Gaiety Theatre 1960 - Kenneth Branagh, actor and director is born in Belfast 1977 - Mairead Corrigan and Betty Williams receive the Nobel Peace Prize 1998 - The Irish and British governments launch a fresh search for a breakthrough in the Northern Ireland peace process in the wake of the joint award of the Nobel Peace Prize to Ulster's political leaders David Trimble and John Hume 1999 - Taoiseach Bertie Ahern says that a lasting end to the Northern Ireland conflict is now well in sight 1999 - Tánaiste Mary Harney is in Ballyfermot to officially open the new manufacturing facility of Michael H, one of Ireland’s most successful clothing companies 2000 - Following four days of marathon talks in Nice, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern defeats European Union efforts to directly influence Ireland’s taxation policy 2002 - Loretta Brennan Glucksman, director of philanthropic organisation, the Ireland Funds, presents a €300,000 cheque to Gate Theatre director Michael Colgan towards the Dublin venue’s redevelopment 2002 - The Government postpones the announcement of an expected 43% increase in the cost of an RTÉ licence fee. 2005 - Elizabeth Yensen, the oldest women in Ireland passes away at 110 years old. Born in Glasgow on 25 July 1895, Elizabeth spent more than 70 years in Northern Ireland.
December 11 1225 - Laurence O'Toole is canonized by Pope Honorius III. It will be 750 years before another Irish person is canonized 1650 - Ormond leaves for France, leaving Ulick Burke, 1st Marquis of Clanrickard, as Lord Deputy 1853 - Birth of H. Kingsmill Moore, educationist 1905 - Birth of Erskine Childers, Ireland’s fourth president (1973-1974) 1920 - Martial law is declared in Ireland. Black and Tans and Auxiliaries go on a rampage of burning and looting in Cork 1931 - Statute of Westminster is passed by British Parliament giving Dominion parliaments, including the Free State, equal status of the Imperial Parliament at Westminster 1936 - In the wake of the abdication of Edward VIII, the Dáil passes legislation removing the King from the Irish Constitution and abolishing the position of Governor General 1956 - The Irish Republican Army (IRA) begins what it calls "The Campaign of Resistance to British Occupation"; it is also known as the 'Border Campaign'. As a result of the campaign, Internment is introduced in both Northern Ireland and the Republic. The campaign ends on 26 February 1962 because of lack of support 1979 - Charles Haughey is elected Taoiseach 1998 - Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and British Prime Minister Tony Blair meet in Vienna; they fail to find new ways of breaking the deadlock in the row over implementing the Good Friday Agreement 2001 - Customs and gardaí board a container ship in Dundalk, Co. Louth and seize up to 80 million smuggled cigarettes - the most in State history 2002 - The replica famine ship, the Jeanie Johnston, arrives in Dublin after final fittings in Cork.
December 12 1803 - Birth in Limerick of writer Gerald Griffin 1881 - Birth in Cork of James O'Flynn, also known as 'Father O'Flynn of the Loft'; priest; teacher of acting, singing and dancing 1883 - Birth in Dublin of Peadar Kearney, songwriter, revolutionary and house-painter; he is famous for writing the words of the Irish national anthem 1920 - Birth of Christy Ring in Cloyne, Co. Cork. His 24-year career record earned him a reputation as the greatest hurler of all time 1920 - Black & Tans continue their attacks in Cork 1955 - The Cork Opera House is destroyed by fire 1957 - The IRA begins a violent four-year campaign in Northern Ireland 1960 - Birth of Donegal superstar Daniel O'Donnell 1966 - Birth of Sinéad O'Connor 1975 - A six-day siege on Balcombe Street in London ends peacefully after four IRA gunmen free their two hostages and give themselves up to police 1993 - Ireland's first and Radio Éireann's own agony aunt, Frankie Byrne, whose legendary programme with its 'Dear Frankie' letters of advice was broadcast from 1963 to 1985, passes away at the age of 71 1997 - The Taoiseach and the British Prime Minister Tony Blair invite the key players in the talks into a 12-week negotiating blitz beginning in the New Year 2000 - At a farewell reception in Dundalk, US President Bill Clinton makes an emotional plea to the people of Ireland: “redouble your efforts for peace” 2001 - Intelligence agent William Stobie is gunned down in Belfast by former associates 2002 - The Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism rules that Fossett's Circus is be recognised as an art form and is thus entitled to State funding. The recognition makes the 115-year old circus the oldest performing arts institution in the country, 30 years' older than the Abbey Theatre.
December 13 1779 - British goods are boycotted in Ireland; armed Volunteers parade in College Green, Dublin in November and demand 'a free trade or else' (i.e. the removal of restrictions on Irish trade with the colonies). This demand is granted on this date 1867 - An explosion at Clerkenwell gaol in London, intended to aid in the escape of two Fenians, causes several deaths and injuries 1904 - Sir William McCrea, mathematician and astronomer, is born in Dublin 1905 - Críostóir Mac Aonghusa, writer and promoter of the Irish language is born in Blackwater, Co. Offaly 1955 - Grace Gifford Plunkett, Irish patriot, dies 1960 - Aer Lingus’ first jet, the Boeing 707 ‘St. Patrick’ makes its inaugural flight 1997 - Over a thousand people take to the streets of Dublin in a theatrical spectacle called "Féile Fáilte".to protest racism, particularly against refugees 1999 - Taoiseach Bertie Aherns addresses the historic inaugural plenary meeting of the North South Ministerial Council in Armagh 2000 - Crowds roaring their approval greet Bill and Hillary Clinton on stage at the Odyssey Arena in Belfast, confirming the first couple’s enduring popularity in Northern Ireland 2001 - Queen's University honours Manchester United legend, George Best, with an honorary doctorate in recognition of his services to football 2002 - For the eighth year, the only live Christmas crib in Ireland opens in the forecourt of the Mansion House on Dawson Street in Dublin. This year's nativity scene features two llamas as well as the usual donkeys, calves, goats and sheep 2002 - Rugby legend Mick Galwey receives an honorary degree from Trinity College in recognition of his services to Ireland, Munster and Shannon clubs.
In conjunction with the Christmas Party tomorrow, we will be holding a Christmas Diaper Drive benefiting Genesis of Pittsburgh. Bring donations to the party including items such as Infant Layette Items, Diapers, Wipes, Formula, New or gently used clothing, (boy & girl through age 6). Financial donations will also be accepted and greatly appreciated.
Genesis of Pittsburgh, Inc. is a maternity care, adoption, foster care and social service agency incorporated and fully licensed in the State of Pennsylvania. Genesis is committed to providing a complete spectrum of programs and services for those facing an unplanned pregnancy. Genesis is a nonpolitical, nonsectarian, tax-exempt organization that offers services focusing on positive, life enhancing solutions to the problems of unplanned pregnancy.
The National Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians (LAOH) has announced the 2009 Irish History Writing Contest Topics. The contest is open to all children in grade levels 6-12 attending public, private, parochial and home schools.
This year's subjects for grades 6, 7, 8: FROM IRELAND TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY- THE HISTORY OF IRISH INFLUENCE ON HORSE RACES (Not less than 500 or more than 1000 words) and level 2 grades 9, 10, 11, 12: THE CELTIC TIGER, WHAT IS IT (Not less than 750 or more than 1500).
Entrants should submit their writing to the local division, the winners of that level are sent to the state level then onto national level. At the national level winners receive cash prizes from $50 to $1,000.
This contest is held in every state where the LAOH has an established Division. The topics are different each year, and are selected by the National LAOH Historian.
The LAOH is an Irish Catholic Organization that perpetuates the history and traditions of the Irish people and their culture.
Deadline for the contest is January 5th, 2009. For more detailed contest rules please email Donna Ricca, LAOH Allegheny County Historian.
Courtesy of our good friend Diane Byrnes and Echoes of Erin, below you'll find a Pittsburgh Irish Entertainment Calendar for December. Be sure to listen to Diane's radio show, Echoes of Erin every Sunday on WEDO-AM 810AM from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Tuesday, December 2 Paddy’s Pour House, 215 East Main Street, Carnegie, 412-279-0700, features Irish Night, Harp & Guinness Specials from 8:00 PM. Dennis Murphy is now bartending on Thursday’s. 412.279.0770.
Mullaney’s Harp & Fiddle, 2329 Penn Ave., in The Strip, presents Ceili Dancing at 7:30 PM 412.642.6622.
Friday, December 5 Pittsburgh Ceili Club, Workshop & Ceili at VFW, 1820 Morningside Ave., Morningside. Workshop 7:00 PM, Ceili 8:00 PM. Information: Bob Kaniecki, 412-486-2684.
Mullaney’s Harp & Fiddle, 2329 Penn Ave., in The Strip, features Guaranteed Irish at 9:00PM. The group will perform one week-end night per month over the next several months. Paddy’s Pour House, 215 East Main Street, Carnegie, features Tony Egan, on vocals, guitar & harmonica at 9:00PM.
Saturday, December 6 The Claddagh Irish Pub & Restaurant, South Side Works, 412-381-4800, presents Christopher Laughrey with Casey Deely & Blake Ragghianti, 8:30PM. During the evening there will be a reception for the History Channel’s Deep Sea Detectives and renowned author and undersea explorer, Gary Gentile.
Monday, December 8 Paddy’s Pour House, 215 East Main Street, Carnegie, 412-279-0700, features an Acoustic Jam Session, 7:00 PM.
December 3 – 20 Pittsburgh Irish & Classical Theatre (www.picttheatre.org) presents ‘Dublin Carol’ at the Henry Heymann Theatre, at the Stephen Foster Memorial on Univ. or Pgh. campus; directed by Jackie Maxwell. Tickets: ProArts, 412.394.3353, online: www.proartstickets.org.
Thursday, December 11 Mullaney’s Harp & Fiddle, 2329 Penn Ave., in The Strip, presents Mark Guiser on Vocals & Guitar at 8:30PM. IAUC Christmas Party 6:30PM, all are welcome.
Friday, December 12 Paddy’s Pour House, 215 East Main Street, Carnegie, features Sean McClorey on Vocals & Guitar at 9:00PM.
Saturday, December 13 The Irish Centre of Pittsburgh will host their General Meeting at 6:30PM followed by a Christmas Party at 7:30PM. Entertainment with Mark Dignam. There will be food & drink and a visit from Santa Claus for the children. Information: Jim Graven 724.834.0233.
All Ireland Social at the American Legion Hall, 5857 Forbes Ave. in Squirrel Hill, 8:00PM. Music with CCE Musicians. Information: Ray Connolly at 412-373-7252. Paddy’s Pour House, 215 East Main Street, Carnegie, features Jack Puskar on Vocals & Guitar at 9:00PM.
Sunday, December 21 Echoes of Erin on WEDO 810AM @ 1:00 PM. The Ireland Report from Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh with Davy Kettyles.
Saturday, December 27 & Sunday, December 28 Winter Feis at the Pittsburgh Airport Hyatt Regency. Contact Jim Graven for details at 724.834.0233 or kayaks204@verizon.net.
Sunday, December 28 Echoes of Erin on WEDO 810AM at 1:00 PM. The Ireland Report from Belfast with Mairtin O’Muilleoir, Belfast. www.belfastmedia.com.
Wednesday, December 31 – New Year’s Eve Mullaney’s Harp & Fiddle, 2329 Penn Ave., in The Strip, will rock in the New Year with Red Hand Paddy from 9:00PM. Champaign Toast at 8:00PM and Midnight.
HERE'S A QUICK LOOK AHEAD TO 2009!
Friday, January 2 & Saturday, January 3, 2009 Mullaney’s Harp & Fiddle, 2329 Penn Ave.,412-642-6622, in The Strip presents Seamus Kennedy with song, stories, and lots of laughs, 9:00PM.
Saturday, January 31 St. Andrew’s Society presents the Burns Supper, details, TBA. Information: Cheryl Campbell ccampbell@standrews-pgh.org.
January 31 – February 2, 2009 Irish Festival Cruise aboard Celebrity Cruise Line’s ‘Summit’ sailing the Southern Caribbean. Entertainment with Cherish The Ladies, The Black Brothers, Johnny McEvoy, Tommy Sands, Liam Tiernan, The Matt Cunningham Band, Don Stiffe, Donny Golden, Dan Stacy, and Maura O’Connell. 1-800-441-HARP. Online www.irishtours.com.
