March 12 1295 - Richard de Burgh is released by the council in parliament at Kilkenny 1685 - George Berkeley, philosopher, physicist, mathematician, Dean of Derry and Bishop of Cloyne, is born in Dysart Castle, Co. Kilkenny. The university town of Berkeley in California is named in his honour 1689 - James II lands at Kinsale and proceeds to Dublin 1832 - Birth of Capt. Charles Boycott, despised English estate manager in Ireland, from whose name the word 'boycott' is taken 1873 - Gladstone's Irish University Bill is defeated 1875 - After being barred as an undischarged felon from taking his seat as elected MP for Tipperary, John Mitchel is re-elected on this date. He dies eight days later 1798 - Having been betrayed by Thomas Reynolds, the Leinster Directory of United Irishmen leaders is arrested 1860 - Michael O'Hickey, professor of Irish and Irish-language campaigner, is born in Carrickbeg, Co. Waterford 1930 - Pat Taaffe, jockey and trainer, is born in Rathcoole, Co. Dublin 1944 - Britain bans all travel to and from Ireland in an effort to prevent news of Allied preparations for the invasion of France reaching the Germans 1974 - Billy Fox, MP for Co. Monaghan, is assassinated 2000 - National Tree Week ends with a mass planting of 5,000 trees at Corkagh Park in Clondalkin 2001 - Department of Agriculture vets are investigating another suspected case of foot and mouth in the North. Tests are carried out on a sheep taken from a farm in Augher to an abattoir in Dungannon, Co. Tyrone, for slaughter. March 13 1784 - Reform Bill in Irish House of Commons 1791 - Thomas Paine's The Rights of Man (part 1) - a reply to Burke's Reflections on the Revolution in France and a major influence on Irish radicals - is published 1865 - Birth of Patrick Nally in Balla, Co Mayo. An athlete, he was a major inspiration in the founding the GAA in 1884 by Michael Cusack. The Nally stand in Croke Park is named after him 1922 - George Bernard Shaw's "Back to Methusaleh V" premieres in New York 1939 - At-Swim-Two-Birds, a highly experimental novel by Flann O'Brien, is published in London 1960 - Birth of Adam Clayton, bass player with U2 1973 - Birth of Ballybeg Prim, one of the greatest racing dogs of all time in Thurles, Co. Tipperary 1998 - Naval personnel question the crew of a British-registered flagship after a second day of intimidation of Irish trawlers off the South West coast 1999 - Over 250,000 people pack the streets around the River Liffey in Dublin to witness the largest fireworks display ever seen in Ireland The event marks the start of a five-day festival to mark St Patrick's Day as well as the official launch of the Millennium celebrations 2000 -A multi million pound seizure of drugs in Holland results in the arrest of John Cunningham, one of Ireland’s most prolific career criminals 2001 - The Irish food industry is dealt a hammer blow as the United States and Canada ban Irish food imports, worth over £100 million a year, because of the foot and mouth scare 2003 - Taoiseach Bertie gives his strongest indication yet that the US will be able to use Shannon Airport regardless of UN backing for war in Iraq. March 14 1705 - An English act permits direct export of Irish linen to American colonies 1732 - Birth of Sackville Hamilton, politician and civil servant 1738 - John Beresford, unionist politician, is born in Cork 1822 - Richard Boyle, civil engineer, is born in Dublin 1894 - William Earle "Moley" Molesworth, WWI Ace, is born 1902 - The Irish Association of Women Graduates and Candidate-Graduates, an organization open to those interested in promoting women's education, is launched 1962 - Eibhín Bean Uí Choisdeaíbh, Irish language folk song collector, dies 1973 - Liam Cosgrave is appointed president of Ireland 1985 - Schoolchildren claim to have seen a 'moving' statue in Asdee, Co. Kerry. Other reports come from Ballinspittle, Co. Cork. The faithful claim a miraculous event. Sceptics say it is an optical illusion 1984 - Gunmen shoot and wounded Sinn Féin president, Gerry Adams, in an attack in central Belfast. He is hit in the neck, shoulder and arm as several gunmen riddle his car with about 20 bullets. Three people travelling with Mr Adams are also wounded in the shooting No-one is seriously hurt and a fourth man escapes injury 1991 -The Birmingham Six - Paddy Joe Hill, Hugh Callaghan, Richard McIlkenny, Gerry Hunter, Billy Power and Johnny Walker - are released from jail after their convictions for the murder of 21 people in two pubs are quashed by the Court of Appeal 1998 - Former Defence and Marine Minister Hugh Coveney falls to his death from a headland near Roberts Cove, Co. Cork 2002 - Roundwood House, Mountrath, Co. Laois is the only Irish establishment to make the list of the world's top 50 restaurants published by Restaurant magazine. It places at 42.
March 15 1672 - The first declaration of indulgence suspending penal laws against Catholics and dissenters is issued by Charles II 1764 - Charles O'Conor, antiquary and historian, is born in Belanagare, Co. Roscommon 1773 - Oliver Goldsmith's She Stoops to Conquer is performed at Covent Garden Theatre, London 1774 - Isaac Weld, author, is born in Dublin 1813 - In the British House of Commons, Sir Eyre Coote (the younger), MP for Ballynakill and Maryborough, proposes the abolition of flogging in the army 1852 - Lady Isabella Augusta Gregory (née Persse), playwright, folklorist and co-founder of the Abbey Theatre, is born in Roxborough, Co. Galway 1904 - Birth of George Brent, actor, in Dublin 1878 - Sir Robert McCarrison, medical scientist and honorary physician to King George V from 1928 to 1935 is born in Portadown, Co. Armagh 1976 - The IRA is linked to a bomb that explodes on a London Underground train; the driver of the train, Julius Stephen, is shot dead while chasing a gunman who is believed to have detonated the bomb. Ten other people are injured 1993 - Kitty Linnane, leader of the Kilfenora Céili Band, dies 1998 - The US Ambassador to Ireland, Jean Kennedy Smith, confirms she will leave her post after US Independence Day celebrations in Dublin on July 4 1999 - A prominent Irish civil rights solicitor, Rosemary Nelson, is killed by a Loyalist car bomb in Lurgan, Co. Armagh 1999 - The Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation, Jim McDaid, unveils plans to commemorate the Year 2000. Commencing on St. Patrick's Day, "The Party Starts Here," is the official title of a 21-month long series of events, which will link over 300 separate festivals 2000 - The censor lifts a ban on more than two thirds, or 400, of prohibited books following an appeal by the Labour Party. Only 187 books and about 270 magazines and newspapers now remain on the banned list 2001 - John Gilligan is found not guilty of the murder of Veronica Guerin; however, he is sentenced to 28 years in prison on drug-related crimes. The sentence is twice what most people expected and six years more than the previous longest sentence handed down for a drugs offence 2002 - Tesco's supermarket chain in Ireland announces that, unlike its British counterpart, it has no plans to start issuing the morning-after pill to Irish teenagers free of charge. March 16 1618 - Richard Archdekin, Jesuit, educator and missioner to Ireland, is born in Louvain 1640 - Charles I's second Irish parliament meets 1690 - French king Louis XIV sends troops to Ireland 1789 - Francis Rawdon Chesney, soldier and explorer, is born in Annalong, Co. Down 1815 - William Reeves, Church of Ireland bishop and antiquary, is born in Charleville, Co. Cork 1828 - Patrick Cleburne, American Civil War Confederate General, is born in Cobh, Co. Cork 1839 - John B. Yeats, painter and father of William Butler and Jack B. Yeats, is born in Tullylish, Co. Down 1865 - Irish-born Martin Murphy, one of the greatest pioneers of early California, dies 1955 - Singer Ruby Murray scores five simultaneous hits in the British charts 1959 - RTÉ interviews Ireland's first bangarda, Mary Brown from Roscommon 1960 - The P & O liner Canberra (45,000 tons) is launched in Belfast 1988 - At Milltown Cemetery in west Belfast, a gunman kills three mourners and injures at least 50 people attending a funeral for IRA members Mairead Farrell, Daniel McCann, and Sean Savage shot dead in Gibraltar 1991 - Members of Irish Gay & Lesbian Organization march in NYC parade 1995 - Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams meets President Bill Clinton for the first time 1998 - In Washington, at the American/Ireland Fund dinner, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern bluntly tells Northern political leaders to display the courage necessary to make far-reaching compromises over the next fortnight to rescue the peace process from the dangers of failure 1998 - Beef exports from Northern Ireland are to resume after a three-year ban stemming from the BSE crisis 2000 - Hundreds of sprigs of shamrock are airlifted from Ireland by the RAF to Irish regiments of the British Army around the world in accordance with a decree issued by Queen Victoria 100 years ago. It is exactly 100 years since the queen decrees that all Irish regiments of the British Army wear a shamrock in their head dress on St Patrick’s Day to commemorate the bravery of Irish troops during the Boer War 2000 - Northern Secretary, Peter Mandelson, announces that more troop withdrawals are likely over the coming months 2001 - President Bush, Sinn Fein's President Gerry Adams, center, and Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern, right, watch Irish dancers perform at the White House in Washington. Ahern meets with Bush and discusses the 1998 power-sharing deal that has brought a tenuous peace in Northern Ireland. Standing behind Bush is National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice, left. 2001 - Kilmainham residents protest against a planned office development in the heart of an historic part of Dublin 2001 - Irish Defense Minister Michael Smith, center, waves the Irish flag as he celebrates St. Patrick's day with other Irish peacekeepers at Camp Shamrock near the southern village of Tibnine 2003 - More than 1,500 performers create a Mardi-Gras atmosphere on the streets of Limerick for the 33rd International Marching Band Parade and Competition. March 17 1777 - Patrick Brontë, originally Brunty; clergyman and father of Charlotte, Emily and Anne, is born in Ballynaskeagh, Co. Down 1800 - Charles James Patrick Mahon, high-ranking soldier in Russia, Turkey, South America and France; duellist; & politician, is born in Ennis, Co. Clare 1794 - Sir Thomas Maclear, astronomer, is born in Newtownstewart, Co. Tyrone 1820 - Patrick Edward Connor, Union General, is born in Co. Kerry 1852 - Patrick Sheehan, 'Canon Sheehan', priest and writer, is born in Mallow, Co. Cork 1853 - The Ossianic Society is founded to preserve and publish manuscripts of the Fionn cycle 1858 - James Stephens founds the Irish Republican Brotherhood in Dublin 1864 - Charlotte Milligan Fox, collector of folk music, is born in Omagh, Co. Tyrone 1877 - Michael O'Hanrahan, author and revolutionary, is born in New Ross, Co. Wexford 1889 - Harry Clarke, artist, known chiefly for stained-glass work, is born in Dublin 1899 - First issue of Gaelic League's An Claidheamh Soluis is published 1903 - St Patrick's Day becomes a bank holiday 1944 - Birth in Northern Ireland of Pat McCauley, rock drummer for Them 1951 -Scott Gorham, hard rock guitarist, is born 1964 - Joe Cooney, Galway hurler, is born near Loughrea 1976 - Birth in Dublin of Boyzone singer Stephen Gately 1997 - President Bill Clinton sharply increases the pressure on Northern political leaders to make concessions following a White House declaration that they will throw away a chance in a lifetime if they fail to settle an agreement by May 1998 - Frankie Curry, a top loyalist dissident, is gunned down by the UVF in revenge for the killing of human rights lawyer Rosemary Nelson 1999 - From Malin Head to Mizen Head, up to a million people turn out for St Patrick’s Day parades. 2001 - For the first time, Queen Elizabeth II sends a special St. Patrick's Day greeting to President Mary McAleese 2001 - Publicans in Westport, Co. Mayo call time on hen and stag parties. Bar owners in Westport, Co Mayo say the revellers are no longer welcome and will not be served in the town’s 44 pubs 2001 - Thousands of bargain hunters pack the RDS for the biggest ever Irish International Antiques and Fine Art Fair 2002 - In Dublin, an estimated 500,000 people line the parade route for the pinnacle of the €2.5 million St. Patrick's festival weekend 2003 - Two police officers and a paramedic are injured as sectarian fighting breaks out in flashpoint areas of Belfast 2003 - Snakes, sea monsters, Vikings and samba bands provide the sparkle in St Patrick’s Day celebrations around the country while the saint himself supplies the weather - warm and sunny in most areas. In the liturgical calendar, today is the feast day of St. Patrick, Ireland's patron saint. March 18 1736 - The Irish House of Commons condemns tithe of agistment on pasturage for dry and barren cattle 1800 - Harriet Smithson, actress and wife of the composer Hector Berlioz, is born in Ennis, Co. Clare 1801 - Ambrose O'Higgins, Viceroy of Peru, dies in Lima 1825 - In accordance with the Unlawful Societies Act, the Grand Orange Lodge advises its members that further meetings would be in violation of the law 1932 - The order outlawing the IRA is allowed to lapse 1949 - Birth in Belfast of Alex "Hurricane" Higgins, snooker player and two time world-champion 1952 - Pat Eddery, jockey, is born in Blackrock, Co. Dublin 1998 - The funeral of Hugh Coveney, politician and former Lord Mayor of Cork, takes place at St Michael's Church in Blackrock 1998 - Founder and executive director of the Chernobyl Children's Project charity, Adi Roche, is awarded the Frantsysk Skrayna Order by Belarus's envoy to Britain and Ireland, Uladzimir Shchasny. It is the country's highest honour and the first time it has been given to a foreigner 1999 - The funeral of murdered human rights lawyer, Rosemary Nelson, takes place at St. Peter's Church in Lurgan 2000 - The end of a 30 year ban fails to bring huge numbers of people out to see the controversial cult movie, A Clockwork Orange 2000 - Geneva-based financier and professional gambler, JP McManus jumps almost 20 places to 13th in The Sunday Times Irish rich list, with an estimated worth of more than £300 million.
In the old Celtic calendar, today is Sheelah's Day. In ancient Ireland, it was an annual festival to honor the fertility Goddess known as Sheela-na-gig. Naked Sheela-na-gig figures appeared in Irish churches constructed before the 16th century, but most were defaced or destroyed during the prudish Victorian age.
According to some sources, the origins of "drowning the shamrock" have also been traced to this date. In the eighteenth century, William Hone reported on the celebrations surrounding Sheelah, who has been variously identified as the wife, mother, or other relative of St. Patrick - noting that, the people of the day "are not so anxious to determine who 'Sheelah' was, as they are earnest in her celebration. All agree that her immortal memory is to be maintained by potations of whisky." At the end of the day, the faithful would then take their shamrocks and drop them into their respective glasses before downing the contents.
Since yours truly Mr. Blogger will be recovering from the St. Patrick's Day Button Party tomorrow and it's highly unlikely he will be blogging, I wanted to take a minute to close out the week and wish a Happy Birthday (his birthday is actually tomorrow) to the ageless, timeless and mindless AOH 32 brother Mickey Abbott - we wish him many more!
Years, upon years ago on a memorable March 10th our little Mickey came in to the world and his delivery doctor thought he was so ugly that he slapped his mother!
Seriously, Mickey is a good man, a good husband, a good father and a great AOH brother. And, most you might not have known this, but as you can see Mickey is world champion Irish pole vaulter too!
There has been a change in the Parade! AOH 32 has been moved up into the 1st Division. We are actually number 36 in the parade. We will be lining up on Centre Ave. (next to the Mellon Arena). The booklet listing all the entries in the parade is getting mailed today. There are 64 entries in the 1st Division, so I'd guess we'll be about halfway up the hill. The Junior Division will be right behind us.
Americans will spend an estimated $2.76 billion celebrating the St. Patrick's Day. This year, March 17 falls on a Saturday so restaurants and bars can expect bigger crowds.
Here is what Americans plan to do on this most Irish of days:
Spend on average $34.89 each, compared to last year's $27.94. By age: 18-24 year olds will spend $40.12; 25-34 year olds, $39.04; 35-44 year olds, $36.56.
On Tuesday, April 3rd the Junior Division will leave Bishop Canevin High School at 6:00 a.m. sharp and arrive at Antietam at 10:00 a.m, pick up their guide and walk the very same route of the Irish Brigade. They will have lunch at 3:00 p.m., leave Antietam and will arrive back at school between 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.Here are the details.
Bear O'Connell is hoping to make the trip depending on doctor's orders, but we still need 3-4 adult chaperones. If any member would like to go, help and have fun, please email me.
Pictured above are last year's Bob Carr Hibernian of the Year Winner Tim Trant (L) and Service Award Winner Brian Walsh (R)
Dear Members of Division #32,
It is that time of year that our attention turns to Lent and the celebration of Easter.Part of our Easter celebration always includes the AOH/LAOH Division 32 Communion Breakfast.This year’s event will held on April 15th.
The Communion Breakfast committee will be up and running in planning this year’s event. It will be held at Pittsburgh’s Grand Hall at the Priory with mass beginning at 10:30 AM.Following mass and breakfast, a short program will take place to honor our Service Awardees, our AOH Junior Division Scholarship winner, and the highlight of the day will be the awarding of the AOH and LAOH Hibernian of the Year awards.
The price for breakfast is $24.00 for adults (17 and older), $15.00 for guests in the (7 to 16) age range, and $9.00 for guests under 7 years of age.Tables of 10 are available as noted on your registration form below.All checks should be made payable to AOH Division 32 and mailed, along with payment, to:
Tom Welch 325 Battery Drive North McDonald, Pa.15057
All seats for this event for this event are on a paid “PRESALE ONLY” basis and no walk-ins will be accepted.Your cooperation in this matter is greatly appreciated.Please print and complete this post (registration form below) by April 12th and forward it with payment.
Yours in Friendship, Unity, and Christian Charity,
Some people have asked me about the Wikipedia references I use for Irish stories, history etc., It is a great site full of useful information (see references and links below.)
However, I thought you would be most interested in the fact that Wikipedia references the AOH in Carnegie as well as our beloved Uke's!
Wikipedia (IPA: /ˌwiːkiːˈpiːdi.ə/ or /ˌwɪkiːˈpiːdi.ə/, name coined by Larry Sanger) is a multilingual, Web-based, free contentencyclopedia project. Wikipedia is written collaboratively by volunteers; its articles can be edited by anyone with access to the Web site. The name is a portmanteau of the words wiki (a type of collaborative website) and encyclopedia. Its primary servers are in Tampa, Florida, with additional servers in Amsterdam and Seoul.
Wikipedia was launched as the EnglishWikipedia on January 15, 2001, as a complement to Nupedia, an expert-written and now defunct encyclopedia. The project is now operated by the Wikimedia Foundation, a non-profit organization created by Jimmy Wales, and has over six million articles in 250 languages,[1] including 1.6 million in the English edition. Wikipedia has steadily risen in popularity since its inception[3] and currently ranks among the twelve most-visited websites worldwide.[4]
Wikipedia's reliability and accuracy have been questioned.[5] The site has also been criticised for its susceptibility to vandalism,[6] uneven quality, systemic bias and inconsistencies,[7] and for favouring consensus over credentials in its editorial process.[8] Wikipedia's content policies[9] and sub-projects set up by contributors seek to address these concerns.[10] Two scholarly studies have concluded that vandalism is generally short-lived[11] and that Wikipedia is roughly as accurate as other online encyclopedias.[12]
By Michael Seaver | Contributor to The Christian Science Monitor
DUBLIN, IRELAND - Shortly before 5:30 p.m. on Saturday the "unthinkable" will happen in Dublin's historic Croke Park stadium. Eighty-seven years after British troops fired into the crowd here and killed innocent Irish spectators, England's rugby team will sing God Save the Queen before a peaceful international match against their Irish opponents.
March 5 1389 - Thomas Mortimer is appointed justiciar 1716 - Martin Bladen, soldier, politician, civil servant, gambler and writer, is given leave in the British House of Commons to bring in a bill to continue the privilege of exporting Irish linen cloth to British plantations without the duty payable by exporters in England and Scotland. The bill eventually passes 1867 - Fenian Rising begins in Co. Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Clare and Tipperary 1911 - Birth in Portaferry, Co. Down of actor Joseph Tomelty 1998 - Dublin gangland criminal Georgie "the Penguin" Mitchell is arrested in Holland after a joint operation between Irish and Dutch police catch him red-handed stealing £4 million worth of computer parts 1998 - The remains of Dermot Morgan are received at St. Theresa's Church in his native Dublin. Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Tanaiste Mary Harney are among the more than 1,000 mourners 1999 - As a precautionary measure, eighteen workers at the Warner-Lambert plant in Ringaskiddy, Co. Cork are taken to hospital following a chemical spillage. They are found to be unharmed and are released 2000 - The Government closes the book on the millennium bug after spending £40m preparing for a potential disaster that doesn't happen 2001 - A total of 520 farms are under investigation because of fears of foot and mouth, Agriculture Minister Joe Walsh reveals 2001 - The shortlist for the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award is announced by Lord Mayor Maurice Ahern. Six novels are in contention for the world’s richest literary prize (worth IR£100,000) for a single work of fiction, among them Colm Tóibín’s The Blackwater Lightship 2003 - In Blarney, Co. Cork, pubs, restaurants and supermarkets enthusiastically embrace a no smoking day and the Blarney Stone restaurant in the town square takes the lead by slapping a permanent ban on smoking. In the ecumenical calendar, today is the feastday of St. Cieran March 6 1791 - John MacHale, Archbishop of Tuam; nationalist campaigner and writer, is born in Tirawley, Co. Mayo 1831 - Philip Sheridan, general on Federal side in American Civil War and Commander-in-Chief of the US army, is born in Killinkere, Co. Cavan 1861 - Patrick McCall, songwriter, is born in Dublin 1918 - Death of John Redmond, Chairman of the Irish Parliamentary Party 1921 - The Lord Mayor of Limerick, George Clancy, his predecessor, Michael O'Callaghan, and another prominent nationalist, Joseph O'Donoghue, are killed by policemen in Limerick during curfew hours 1924 - A 'mutiny' in the Free State army begins on this date: dissident officers demand the suspension of demobilization, and discussions on progress towards a republic. Following the 'unauthorized' arrest of dissidents, two Government ministers and three senior officers resign and conservative elements take control of Cumann na nGaedheal. The 'army mutiny' signals the end of the Irish Republican Brotherhood 1935 - Ronnie Delany, 1500 meter gold medallist in the 1956 Olympic Games, is born in Arklow, Co. Wicklow 1978 - Micheál Mac Liammóir, poet, actor and founder of the Gate Theatre, dies 1998 - The jobless trend continues downward and falls to its lowest numbers in seven years 1998 - Hundreds of Dubliners turn out to pay their last respects to Dermot Morgan as his funeral cortege makes its way to Glasnevin Crematorium 2000 - Flamboyant journalist Jonathan Philbin Bowman is found dead in his Dublin home. Gardaí are investigating the possibility that he may have fallen down the stairs 2000 - An Bord Pleanála upholds Clare County Council’s decision to refuse planning permissions to proposals by the Minister for the Arts and Heritage, Síle de Valera, to develop visitor facilities at Mullaghmore in the Burren National Park 2001 - The foot and mouth virus claims another Irish sporting casualty with the announcement that the world cross country championships is to be switched to Brussels, bringing with it some 1,000 runners from 80 countries who were due to converge on Dublin on March 24-25 2001 - Moves to provide nappies for Killarney’s famous jaunting car horses are dropped. Against the advice of the Town Manager, the local urban council bows to the wishes of local jarveys who strongly oppose proposals to include “equine sanitary apparatus” in the jarvey bylaws. March 7 1777 - Sir Philip Crampton, surgeon, is born in Dublin 1864 - Archbishop Paul Cullen issues a pastoral for St. Patrick's Day denouncing Fenianism 1920 - Éilis Dillon, novelist and children's writer, is born in Galway 1921 - Limerick Mayor George Clancy is shot and killed in his home by disguised members of the Black and Tans 1923 - Eight republican prisoners are executed by use of a mine at Ballyseedy, Co. Kerry 1936 - Freddie Gillen, amateur boxer, is born in Belfast 1988 - The IRA confirms that the three people shot dead by security forces in Gibraltar are members of an active service unit 1999 - A human chain is formed around the Central Bank in Dublin to highlight the campaign to cancel unpayable Third World debt for the millennium. Over 400 people take part in the ceremony organised by Trocaire, Jubilee 2000 and the One World Network of Students in Ireland. Similar events are held in as many as 50 other countries across the world. 2005 - Calling the story of the Irish in America "an important part of the history of our country," President George W. Bush proclaims March as Irish-American Heritage Month.
March 8 1574 - Captain William Martin lays siege to Grace O'Malley in Rockfleet castle 1594 - English expedition sets out from Galway to kill pirate queen, Grace O'Malley 1700 (?) - Year is uncertain, but it is on this date that Anne Bonny, née Cormac, pirate, is born in Co. Cork 1702 - William III dies when his horse stumbles on a molehill; Anne accedes to the throne of Britain and Ireland 1742 - William Crotty, outlaw of the Comeragh mountains, is tried in Waterford on this date and later hanged, drawn and quartered 1770 - Mary Anne McCracken, radical and philanthropist, is born in Belfast 1834 - General John O'Neill, Irish Fenian leader, is born 1854 - Birth in Co. Cork of Tom Horan, the greatest of the many top class Australian cricketers to be born in Ireland 1903 - Charles Gavan Duffy, Young Irelander, is buried in Glasnevin Cemetery, Dublin 1909 - Francis MacManus, novelist, is born 1921 - Sir James Comyn, lawyer, is born in Dublin 1925 - Paddy Devlin, socialist politician, is born in Belfast 1942 - Mary MacSwiney, Irish patriot, dies 1959 - Aidan Quinn, film actor, is born in Chicago of Irish parents 1966 - Nelson's Pillar in Dublin is blown up 1973 - IRA car bombs explode outside the Old Bailey courthouse and Scotland Yard police headquarters in London, killing one and injuring 238 1998 - The Loyalist Volunteer Force pledges full backing for DUP leader Ian Paisley in his opposition to the Stormont talks process 1999 - Pressure on Sinn Féin and the IRA to make a start on decommissioning is stepped up as the Irish and British Governments sign four new treaties in Dublin providing for the implementation of the main elements of the Good Friday Agreement 2000 - Following a round of meetings in Belfast involving Foreign Minister Brian Cowen; Northern Secretary Peter Mandelson, and the principal pro Agreement parties, the two governments are to assess the situation before the St Patrick’s Day summit in the White House next week. All the parties are now looking towards President Clinton to broker a deal that will break the impasse in the peace process 2001 - Retired Archbishop of Tuam, the Most Rev Joseph Cunnane, dies after a long illness at the Bon Secours Hospital 2002 - Car owners are to benefit from new regulations which will oblige insurers to give two-week's notice of any cost changes when renewing policies. 2006 - 1916 Proclamation donated to National Museum An original copy of the Proclamation of Independence picked up in O’Connell Street in 1916 has been donated to the National Museum of Ireland. For more on this story, please click Irish Examiner.
March 9 1771 - Birth in Dublin of Thomas Reynolds, United Irishman whose information enables authorities to arrest Leinster Committee in 1798 1825 - The Catholic Association is dissolved in accordance with the Unlawful Societies Act 1914 - Prime Minister Asquith offers a compromise on Home Rule - electors in the North could vote to be excluded from an independent Ireland for six years 1932 - Éamon de Valera is elected President of the Executive Council of Ireland 1973 - The people of Northern Ireland vote overwhelmingly to remain within the United Kingdom. In a referendum on the future of the province, 591,280 people or 57% of the electorate vote to retain links with the UK. A boycott by the Roman Catholic population means only 6,463 vote in favour of a united Ireland 1982 - Charles Haughey becomes Taoiseach for the second time 1995 - Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh make a historic visit to Northern Ireland. For the first time, the Queen meets with the Roman Catholic Primate of all Ireland, Cardinal Cahal Daly, as well as his Anglican counterpart, Archbishop Robin Eames 1995 - U.S. President Bill Clinton approves a visa for Irish nationalist leader Gerry Adams to enter the United States 1998 - Justice Brian Walsh, judge on the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, dies suddenly of a stroke. On his appointment in December of 1961, Justice Walsh becomes one of the youngest Irish Supreme Court judges. He serves for 29 years - the longest by a member of the country's highest court 1999 - The European Parliament calls for the legalisation of abortion in Ireland. The opinion, passes in Strasbourg by 321 votes to 122; it carries no legislative weight but provokes a storm of political controversy 1999 - A record price for land in the South East is set in Waterford when leading city developer Noel Frisby pays £725,000 an acre for land being sold off for Telecom Eireann. March 10 1478 - John De La Pole, the Duke of Suffolk, is appointed lieutenant of Ireland for 20 years on this date, but does not take office 1653 - Sir Phelim O'Neill is executed by Parliament forces in Dublin, after refusing to state that Charles I authorized the 1641 rebellion 1810 - Birth in Belfast of Sir Samuel Ferguson, Celtic scholar and a poet best known for his rendering of Irish legends in English verse 1883 - Pádraig Ó Siochfhradha, writer under the pseudonym 'An Seabhac' and promoter of the Irish language is born in Dingle, Co. Kerry 1888 - Birth in Dublin of William Joseph Shields, aka Barry Fitzgerald, actor 1894 - Ireland collects its first ever Triple Crown, defeating Wales in Belfast 1932 - IRA prisoners in the Free State are released 1945 - Birth of Donal Lunny, the founder of Planxty, the Bothy Band, and Moving Hearts 1966 - Death of Frank O'Connor, poet and novelist 1971 - Fighting erupts between Official and Provisional IRA in Belfast 1998 - After five wildly inaccurate missiles are fired with little warning at a police station in Armagh city, police accuse republicans of attempting mass murder. 100 people — many pensioners — are forced to flee their homes. Fortunately, no-one is killed or injured 2000 - Harland and Wolff’s last hope of saving the Belfast shipyard appear doomed after it is confirmed that Cunard’s £433 million contract to build the Queen Mary 2 has gone to French rivals 2002 - Former Circuit of Ireland rally champion Frank Meagher is killed in a driving accident in Co. Tipperary, between Cloneen and Mullinahone 2003 - The National Aquatic Centre opens in Abbotstown, Dublin. The water-park with its eight different fun rides and attractions is one of the most hi-tech in Europe and the pool complex is one of the most advanced Olympic standard facilities in the world 2003 - Tobacco manufacturers Gallaher announces a range of increases which sees the cost of several popular brands rise to nearly €6 for a packet of 20 cigarettes. March 11 1605 - A proclamation declares all persons in the realm to be free, natural and immediate subjects of the king and not subjects of any lord or chief 1812 - Composer William Vincent Wallace, best known for his opera, Maritana, is born in Co. Waterford 1858 - Irish revolutionary Thomas James Clarke is born of Irish parents on the Isle of Wight 1880 - On the last day of his tour of the United States, Parnell launches the Irish National Land League of the USA 1926 - Eamon de Valera resigns as head of Sinn Féin 1929 - Erskine B. Childers, diplomat, is born in Dublin 1951 -Ian Paisley co-founds the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster 1953 - Birth in Ballinasloe, Co. Galway of Mary Harney, politician, leader of the Progressive Democrats and Tánaiste 1954 - Margaret (Gretta) Cousins, Irish women's rights activist, is born 1964 - Shane Richie, actor and game-show host, is born Shane Roche to Irish parents in London 1974 - Brothers Kenneth and Keith Littlejohn break out of Mountjoy Prison. Jailed in 1973 for a £67,000 heist at a Dublin bank - the biggest to date in Irish history - during their trial they claim they are M16 spies working for the British Government against the IRA 1995 - Gerry Adams arrives in New York 2000 - Emigrant Francis O’Neill, an American police chief who carried a Chicago gangster’s bullet to the grave is honoured at the weekend in his native West Cork where Garda Commissioner Pat Byrne unveils a life-sized memorial sculpture 2001 - Over 1,300 people pack the Cathedral of the Assumption to pay their last respects to the former Archbishop of Tuam, Most Reverend Joseph Cunnane, at his funeral Mass 2001 - Mr. Tony Luff, founder of the Galway Swan Rescue, coordinates a rescue operation involving dozens of volunteers in Galway city to save the lives of over 60 of the famous Claddagh swans after yet another oil slick surrounds the birds - just a fortnight after four are killed in a previous spill 2002 - Limerick-born Michael Collins, author of The Keepers of Truth, is named as one of seven writers competing for the prestigious International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award 2002, worth €100,000 2002 - Customs officers smash the biggest illegal oil laundering operation ever discovered in the State.The plant, near Dundalk, Co Louth, had the capacity to launder up to 300,000 litres of oil a week.
~ From 6.00pm to 8.00pm (incl. cocktail reception)~
~ All Welcome -Donations appreciated ~
~ For More Information Contact the IIP at (412) 394-3900 ~
The Ireland Institute of Pittsburgh in conjunction with the O’Neill Summer School , will give the Irish American community of Pittsburgh the chance to not only trace their ancestral roots, but also walk in their ancestors footsteps.The O’Neill clan, and its lineage, is the oldest in Europe with an unbroken descent in its line, and this surname is one of the most illustrious in Irish, if not world history. The ancient clan system in Ireland depended on one key factor—commonality of genealogy or blood ties. This meant that every clan in Ireland had kinship and a bondwith the O’Neill clan.
The program for the event will include talks on Ireland’s ancient past, the Flight of the Earls and the shared future of all the people of Ireland, North, South, Protestant and Catholic, featuring guest speakers.
Come to think of it, $2.35mm could probably buy all of Carnegie, Heidelberg - including Denny Donnelly's house - a good part of Bridgeville, PA and still have enough left over for for a lifetime of rounds of drinks at the Uke's.
I'd even be in favor of relaxing our AOH "Irish bloodline" membership rules if our "Flying Dutchman" would agree to be a "Buying Irishman" since there are so few little of them. Hah!
Get your Irish Up this Saturday, March 3rd during our annual AOH/LAOH 32 St. Patrick's Celebration and kick off the fun days leading up to St. Patrick's Day!
Here are the details:
March 3rd Party at the Uke's Club in Carnegie from 8:00 p.m. to Midnight
$7.00 per person (payable at the door) donation includes table snacks and food at 9:45 p.m. - Cash bar
Entertainment provided by the Irish duo of Laughrey Connelly and the Emerald Society Pipe and Drum Band
For more information call Dennis Murphy at 412.279.8545 and leave a message - his dog never picks up the phone - we need to know if you're coming. Or simply email Murph.
Stop by and say "hello" and celebrate the start of the St. Patrick's Day season. Slainte!
"The first fish fry was a big success. We sold out of fish, the turnout was good, both customers and workers. It was pleasing to see that nearly all of the workers showed up and some members dropped in and offered to help. We must keep up the interest.
Thanks to everyone who helped make our first effort a huge success can contact me or Ed Blank and choose a date to work. With the great turnout of workers the clean up and other chores were much easier to accomplish."
In tribute to the young and old lads - FISH FRY MONGERS - who performed brilliantly at our Fish Fry last "Fryday" I give you Dublin's Barry Dodd singing Molly Malone.
Both of our sites, AOH Division 32 Web Site and Blog have been awarded Nancy's Celtic Award 2007. This award is not given lightly. As a prolific webmistress, graphic designer and author, it has always been Nancy's goal to increase awareness and appreciation for Irish and Celtic cultures. Her award is only given to sites that educate about and share the beauty of these cultures in a meaningful and aesthetically pleasing manner.
Congratulations to AOH 32 brother Jim Lamb who is the Grand Marshal of the 2007 St. Patrick's Day Parade in Pittsburgh!
Jim joined the Ireland Institute of Pittsburgh in January of 1992 as Director of Training. He was hired to manage the Institute's Internship Program for unemployed young adults from Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Prior to that he worked for seven years with abused and neglected youth and families at Try Again Homes, Inc. He held several positions there including Director of Foster Care and Director of Counseling Services. He also worked with disadvantaged populations at Goodwill Industries and the NorthernAreaMulti-ServiceCenter.
Jim holds a Masters of Science in Education from DuquesneUniversity and a Bachelor of Science from PennsylvaniaStateUniversity. He serves on the board of the South Hills Interface Ministries and the international advisory board of RobertMorrisUniversity.
He is an advocate for reconciliation in Northern Ireland and economic development in Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Western Pennsylvania. His background, working with disadvantaged populations locally and abroad, and his understanding of the ever-changing social, political, and economic challenges in Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Western Pennsylvania are important elements to his work at the Ireland Institute.
Jim, his wife, Ann Burns-Lamb, and son Ciaran reside in Pittsburgh.
Congratulations again Jim - you done us Carnegie boys proud!
Here is your Irish history lesson for this week.
