George Moore, Irish novelist most famous his books Confessions of a Young Man and Esther Waters, was born on February 24, 1852. His work heavily influenced James Joyce in its modernism and influenced many others with its mysticism. Moore spent much of his early days in Paris and London, first wanting to become an artist but then turning to writing. Confessions of a Young Man is … [Read more...] about February 24, 1852
September 4, 1851
John Dillon, Irish nationalist and Home Rule activist, was born on September 4, 1851 in Dublin to the former "Young Irelander" John Black Dillon. After joining Isaac Butt's Home Rule League in 1873, he gained attention by criticizing Butt's mishandling of the Home Rule bill in parliament in 1879. He became an original member of the Irish National Land League. Dillon eventually … [Read more...] about September 4, 1851
March 22, 1848
The artist Sarah Purser was born in Dun Laoghaire, County Dublin on this day in 1848. She was raised in Dungarvan, County Waterford and educated in Switzerland. She went on to study at the Metropolitan School of Art in Dublin, and in Paris at the Académie Julian. Working primarily as a portrait artist, she also became associated with the stained glass movement. Purser opened a … [Read more...] about March 22, 1848
November 8, 1847
Bram Stoker, the famous author of "Dracula," was born in Dublin on this day in 1847. Born Abraham Stoker, he was the third of seven children. He had a very sickly childhood and spent most of it bed-ridden, which allowed for his imagination to run wild. He recovered and attended Trinity College Dublin where he studied mathematics. Following Trinity, he found an interest in … [Read more...] about November 8, 1847
May 15, 1847
Daniel O'Connell died on this day in 1847. Often referred to as The Liberator or The Emancipator, O'Connell was a gifted orator. Born in County Kerry on August 6, 1775, he studied law and became a barrister in 1798. In 1811, he established the Catholic Board, championing Catholic emancipation. In 1841, he became the first Catholic Lord mayor of Dublin. He then led a series of … [Read more...] about May 15, 1847