Historical Happenings

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