Historical Happenings

The Medal of Honor, sometimes referred to as the Congressional Medal of Honor since it is awarded by Congress, is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States. It signifies uncommon valor above and beyond the call of duty in defense of our nation - often at the risk of life and limb. Since March, 1863, when the first Medal of Honor was presented, 254 have been received by native-born Irishmen - more than twice the number given to any other foreign-born nationality. When America decided to establish a memorial to those whose extraordinary valor defended her in times of need, a … [Read more...] about It Happened in August

Many things happened in the month of July which have a significant meaning to those of Irish descent. Among the many are the Irish and Irish Americans who contributed to the American Revolution that created this great nation and those who subsequently defended it. Among the latter are many familiar names, but there are also some who are not that familiar, but should be. One example of the latter is Patrick Henry O’Rorke. Who? Exactly! Patrick Henry O’Rorke was born in County Cavan on March 28, 1836. His parents brought him to America as a child and settled in the section of Rochester, NY … [Read more...] about It Happened in July

In the early 1700s, Maurice O’Brien, a native of Co. Cork, emigrated to America and settled in Kittery (near Portsmouth), then moved to Scarborough (near Portland), Maine. He was a volunteer in the expedition against Louisburg in 1745 which was one of the most extraordinary military achievements of the New England Colonies. Louisburg, on the Island of Cape Breton, belonged to the French who threatened the New England lumber industry and spent millions erecting fortifications. The New Englanders attacked and won the fort. In 1765, O’Brien moved to Machias, about 50 miles up the Maine coast … [Read more...] about It Happened in June

On June 24th 1976 a strange craft, made of ox hides stretched over a wooden frame, was sighted off the coast of the Faroe Islands. Two square sails, painted with Celtic crosses, billowed above The Brendan, a replica of the craft in which Irish monks had first sailed this way. Historian and Explorer, Tim Severin, built her from the description of his craft in the writings of St. Brendan the Navigator, regarding his sixth century journey to America. From the Faroes, Severin set out for Reykjavík, Iceland and ultimately Newfoundland following the route of St. Brendan in an effort to prove that … [Read more...] about West Virginia Petroglyph

Once upon a time there was a beautiful mansion of 32 rooms, divided into four wings. The family that owned the mansion allowed its use as a monastery – a center for scholarship. Great artistic treasures were made there and all its neighbors benefitted, for the family willingly shared its learning. One day, a neighboring tribe raided the mansion and took possession of all its property. They halted the learning and stole all the treasures. The family that had been the former owners were enslaved as servants to the invaders. Servitude became a way of life for the former owners, they were … [Read more...] about An Irish Tale for April

Welcome to the month of Saint Patrick, a time of joyous celebration among the Irish around the world. And why do we celebrate? Because we’re Irish. It’s been said that the Irish passion for their heritage gets stronger, the further they are from the Emerald Isle, and that may partially explain the popularity of this day, for whether or not they were poor in material possessions, the Irish always managed to carry with them, their unique culture, traditions, and religion. And Saint Patrick is part of all three. As a result of the Diaspora of the Irish throughout the world, no one in the entire … [Read more...] about A Great Day for the Irish

Frank Stagg, of Hollymount, County Mayo, came from a long line of Irish republicans. His father had fought in both the War of Independence and the Civil War. In the 1970s, Frank emigrated to England, where he worked as a bus conductor in North London. He joined Sinn Féin in 1972 and shortly thereafter joined the IRA. In April 1973, he was arrested in Coventry and charged under ancient Conspiracy Laws, which were often used to convict IRA members when there was not enough concrete evidence. Frank Stagg, Father Patrick Fell, and five others were convicted of conspiracy to commit arson and given … [Read more...] about A Promise Fulfilled

In 1798, the United Irishmen attempted to free their native land. Upon the stage of that rebellion, several characters played out their parts little knowing that they would meet again, with different results. The successful start to the rebellion took place in Wexford, but was brutally crushed by British forces. Theobold Wolfe Tone, one of the primary leaders of the United Irishmen, had secured the promise of French aid, but the French forces, under General Humbert, arrived too late, and too far north to help poor Wexford. Their landing in Mayo however, rekindled the fire of rebellion, and … [Read more...] about Spirit of the Occasion

On a hill in County Meath stands a monument to the early settlers of Ireland, and their civilization. It is a remarkable structure that was built more than 5000 years ago. At first appearance, it is a huge mound on a hilltop in the Boyne Valley, but a closer investigation reveals it to be a man-made structure surrounded by enormous standing boulders. A magnificently carved kerbstone lies before the entrance to a 65-foot passage which runs to the center of the mound and three chambers formed of interlacing stones. The passage is the most interesting part of the structure for it is inclined at … [Read more...] about Newgrange

On November 10, 1879 – 128 years ago – Patrick Henry Pearse, poet, lawyer, playwright, linguist, educator, author, and military leader, was born in Dublin. During his formal education at the Christian Brothers School, he attained honors in Gaelic each year, and at ages 16 and 17, wrote prizewinning books in the language. He was amply encouraged in his pursuit for he had come to manhood during a period of intense Irishness known as the Gaelic Revival. Pearse joined the Gaelic League whose prime purpose was the revival of the national language, but its impact on the rise of nationalism was far … [Read more...] about Padraic Pearse

October 10 is the birth date of Father Theobold Mathew, yet sadly there will be very little, if anything, about this remarkable Irishman in the media. In his day, however, he was internationally known as the Apostle of Temperance. This is his story. Born on Oct 10, 1790 at Thomastown, Co Tipperary, young Toby Mathew grew up with 11 brothers & sisters on the estate of the Earl of Llandaff, who employed his father. Educated at St Canice's Academy and Maynooth, he joined the Capuchin Order in 1810 and was ordained in 1813. His first assignment was a small church in Kilkenny which was no easy … [Read more...] about Father Theobold Mathew

Four hundred years ago the last of Irish royalty left Ireland and the Gaelic system of government came to an end. It would be known in history as the Flight of the Earls and it happened on September 4, 1607. Most are familiar with the English incursions into Ireland over the years since the Norman invasion and the opposition of the Irish Chieftains. Some led rebellions, others sought cooperation, and a few tried both. Up to the reign of Henry VIII (1509-47), southern Ireland had been divided into properties ruled by ‘earls’ created by the Crown. They were mostly independent but Henry VIII … [Read more...] about Flight of the Earls

By the mid 1800s, Ireland was in the hands of landlords who took more and more of the fertile land, forcing the Irish to survive on smaller and smaller plots, until they became totally dependent on the crop that could produce the most yield per acre – the potato. It was a difficult life, but at least they weren't starving, for potatoes are a remarkable source of vitamins and minerals. Then late on August 20, 1845, a potato fungus was discovered at the Dublin Botanical Gardens. The following day, August 21, is a date remembered in Irish history as the first day of An Gorta Mor - the Great … [Read more...] about The Queen's Visit

Independence Day, July 4th is America's biggest holiday. Its her birthday; but it doesn't mark the day she won her independence, it marks the day when it was declared. And the Irish were there. Great numbers if them filled the ranks of Washington’s patriot army from foot soldiers to high ranking officers, and those who were unable to suffer the hardship of a colonial soldier, contributed in other ways. The military won the war, but who led the march toward the battlefield? It was the settlers, merchants, and community leaders who really shaped our destiny, for they were the ones who dreamt the … [Read more...] about The Fourth of July

The 17th century dawned in Ireland during the 9-years war of the northern Chieftains against the Crown. By 1602 that conflict was over; Red Hugh O'Donnell had been poisoned, the Irish had capitulated, and Queen Elizabeth was dead. Against the treachery that threatened their heirs and families, the noblest Chieftains of the north - The O'Neill, the O'Donnell, and the Maguire - left Ireland forever in what became known as the Flight of the Earls. The Irish were leaderless, the Clan system had been broken, the great Gaelic Houses destroyed, and a foreign power had been established in possession … [Read more...] about The Battle of Benburb

It was Easter, 1916, and a group of patriotic Irishmen combined to work for the independence of their native land. Their leaders were Tom Clarke, the unrepentant Fenian returned from America to rejuvenate the aged Irish Republican Brotherhood; Padraic Pearse, a poet, playwright and schoolteacher who taught the history and language of Ireland; and James Connolly, a champion of the laboring class who had dedicated his life to organizing Irish workers against employers who exploited them, and who formed the Irish Citizen Army to protect them. It was a time of promised change. World War I was … [Read more...] about On Sunday He Rose, On Monday We Rose

Roger Casement was born in Antrim on September 1, 1864 to a Protestant father and a Catholic mother. At 17, he went to work for the Elder Dempster Shipping Company in Liverpool; three years later he was sent to west Africa. There he joined the British Colonial Service and was gradually advanced to a position in the British Consulate there. Always a fair and honorable man, he was horrified at the inhuman treatment of native workers in the Congo, and wrote a report exposing those conditions. The story was published, and when Casement returned to England in 1904 he was celebrated. In London he … [Read more...] about Sir Roger Casement Caught on April 21

In March we think of St. Patrick and his story is on our national website AOH.COM, so this month we will tell of a remarkable military unit named for our patron saint. When America was a young country, not yet matured with the wisdom born of experience, we made mistakes. The acceptance of slavery, the treatment of native Americans, prejudice against Catholics, and armed opposition to labor unions, were but a few. But the wisdom of our founding fathers and the form of government they established gave all people a voice, and in time saner heads prevailed in the electoral process and the nation … [Read more...] about The San Patricios