Patrick Sarsfield Tomorrow, 3rd October marks the anniversary of the Treaty of Limerick, signed in 1691 signifying the end of the Jacobite resistance in Ireland and heralding what became known as the flight of the Wild Geese. Led by General Lord Lucan, better known as Patrick Sarsfield, the flight involved more than 12,000 Jacobite soldiers. Sarsfield has always captured the imagination of the Irish public, largely because ...
Kathleen Clarke On this day in 1972 Kathleen Clarke, former TD, Lord Mayor of Dublin and wife of Thomas Clarke, leader of the 1916 Rising, died. Clarke played an active role in the revolutionary period, including in Cumann na MBan and during the Civil War. Imprisoned after the Rising, she was released to see her husband Tom before his execution on 3 May and her brother Ned Daly who was executed on 4 May. In later years s...
Shane Lowry The Offaly Independent newspaper correspondent called it…. Twenty two years ago when reporting on the then 16-year golfing sensation. It may be a long way from Ryder Cup glory, but this snippet from 2003 is insightful as golf enthusiasts celebrate European victory yesterday and in particular that final putt from the Offaly man. Setting a course record on his home club, Esker Hills, the Offaly newspaper reporte...
The Ryder Cup In 2027 Ryder Cup fever will hit Ireland in a big way when Adare Manor plays host to one of the most exciting golf tournaments. This weekend it is already looking good for the European team as they try and win ‘away’ from home. OF course, the European heroics at the K Club in Straffan in 2006 will live long in the memory. Have you other Ryder Cup memories? What about this one from 1989: HARDENED golfers...
From Newspapers to Netflix Written by the makers of the hit show ‘Peaky Blinders’, this Thursday 25th September the eight-episode series, House of Guinness will start on Netflix. beginning in the aftermath of Sir Benjamin Guinness's death in 1868, the series explores how it shaped the lives of his four children – Anne, Arthur, Benjamin, and Edward – and the legacy of Guinness itself. It may well be fictionalize...
The murder of Lord Mountmorres, 1880 The murder of Viscount Mountmorres, William Browne de Montmorency, on 25 September 1880, during the Land War, caused a sensation in Ireland and despite the best efforts of police, no person was ever charged with the crime. The Land War, which commenced in 1879, pitted struggling tenant farmers against landlords who demanded rents be paid despite the hardships of the time and the depres...
Sonia O’Sullivan It might not feel that long ago but it is a quarter of a century this week since Sonia O'Sullivan wins a silver medal in the 5,000 meters at the Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. Her silver medal win was watched by thousands of Irish men, women and children who had long hoped for victory for the proud county Cork woman. IT was a remarkable moment for her as she bounced back from the disappointment o...
Asenath Nicholson American visitors to Ireland in the 19th and early 20th century frequently made headlines, but perhaps none more so than Asenath Nicholson who visited Ireland on the eve of the Great Famine traversing the country in the process. Her account of life in Ireland provides a real-life glimpse of the condition of the poor. In 1974 the Irish Examiner retold that story: WHAT an extraordinary sight Mrs. Asenath...
President Patrick Hillery With the Irish Presidential election race in full swing, and three candidates already in the field, there are a number of key issues which the electors will put to the would be presidents as they tour the country. Housing, climate and international relations are amongst the top items, as is the question of what each of the candidates might bring to the role. Back in 1976 Patrick Hillery was elected...
National Ploughing Championships The National Ploughing Championships began today 16 September, the first of three days at the site at Mucklagh, outside Tullamore. It is the second time the event has been held there, and huge crowds are expected to attend despite the inclement weather predicted. Of course, there is much focus on presidential candidates and their attendance at the championships which has come a long way sinc...