Pierce Brosnan was born in Navan, County Meath. He was brought up by his grandparents and aunt, while his mother worked in England. At 11, he moved to England to join his mother. In an interview with Irish America in 2003, he described it as a difficult transition. He was singled out for being Irish in school. "There certainly were fights," he said, but the experience made him … [Read more...] about May 16, 1953
June 7, 1952
Actor Liam Neeson was born William John Neeson on this day in 1952 in Co. Antrim. Neeson worked several jobs, such as a forklift operator for Guinness, before joining the Belfast Lyric Players' Theater. He eventually moved to work at Dublin's Abbey Theater, where he performed in many of the classics. After his role in Suspect (1987), Neeson began to star in many more films. He … [Read more...] about June 7, 1952
August 20, 1949
Phil Lynott, lead singer of Thin Lizzy, was born on August 20, 1949. Born in England to an Irish mother and Guyanese father, Lynott went to live with his grandmother in Dublin at the age of four. He joined his first band, the Black Eagles, in the early 60s. At this time, he befriended Brian Downey and in 1969 the two formed Thin Lizzy along with Eric Bell and Eric Wrixon. The … [Read more...] about August 20, 1949
July 17, 1951
Dublin's Abbey Theater was destroyed by a fire on this date in 1951. The original buildings of the theater were all lost, however the Irish government helped rehouse the company at the Queen's Theater until 1966 when the new Abbey Theater, a more contemporary theater facility, opened on the same site. … [Read more...] about July 17, 1951
August 9, 1850
The Irish Tenant Right League is established on this day in 1850. Founded by Charles Duffy and Frederick Lucas with the purpose of reforming the Irish land system, the Tenant league was able to unite both Protestant and Catholic tenants under one cause. Based in Dublin, the League focused on three objectives: fair rent, fixity of tenure, and free sale. … [Read more...] about August 9, 1850