Irish American actor, singer and dancer Gene Kelly is born on August 23, 1912 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Kelly was first enrolled in dance classes by his mother at the age of eight and did not like it at first, but decided to return to dance at age fifteen. After graduating from University of Pittsburgh, Kelly moved to New York City in search of work as a choreographer. … [Read more...] about August 23, 1912
April 14, 1912
On this day in 1912, the RMS Titanic collided with an iceberg in the North Atlantic, just before midnight. The ship, one of the biggest luxury ocean liners ever built, had departed from England on its maiden voyage just four days earlier. Designed by Irish shipbuilder William Pirrie, the “unsinkable” Titanic measured 883 feet and was divided into 16 compartments. The ship’s … [Read more...] about April 14, 1912
June 4, 1820
On June 4, 1820, Henry Grattan, outstanding orator and dominant figure in the Irish parliament, died. Grattan entered the Irish Parliament in December 1775. He was the leader of the Patriot movement that won legislative independence for Ireland in 1782. Later he headed opposition to the union of England and Ireland. Grattan spent the last 15 years of his life on the British … [Read more...] about June 4, 1820
January 9, 1909
Father Patrick Peyton was born. Father Peyton was most famous for coining the common Roman Catholic phrases "The family that prays together stays together," and "A world at prayer is a world at peace," was born in Co. Mayo, Ireland. He is most commonly recognized for his lifelong mission of promoting Family Rosary prayer, earning him the title, "The Rosary Priest." He conducted … [Read more...] about January 9, 1909
July 6, 1907
Ireland's Crown Jewels are found missing on this day in 1907, just before days before a state visit by King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra. The theft remains a mystery to this day. Arthur Vicars, Officer of Arms at Dublin Castle, held the jewels in his office and publicly accused his second in command, Francis Shackleton. Shackleton was exonerated and the case was never solved. … [Read more...] about July 6, 1907