Political theorist Edmund Burke died at the age of 68 on this day in 1797. Born in Dublin to a successful solicitor who had converted from Catholicism to Anglicanism, Burke was raised in the same faith with similar moral values. He was educated at Trinity College Dublin and started a debate club. Thinking he wanted to go into law, he attended Middle Temple in England, but … [Read more...] about July 9, 1797
December 21, 1796
A French fleet under General Hoche with Theobald Wolfe Tone aboard, 43 vessels and 14,500 men ran into significantly bad weather on this day in December 1796, causing the failure of an anticipated United Irishmen rebellion. Also known as the "Expedition d'Irlande," the French fleet set sail from Brest on December 16. The goal was to assist the outlawed Society of the United … [Read more...] about December 21, 1796
August 12, 1796
Kilmainham Gaol, at the time called the New Gaol and County of Dublin Gaol, is completed and receives its first prisoners on August 12, 1796. Unlike other prisons of the time, Kilmainham was not a segregated prison. Men, women and children were held up to 5 in each cell, with only a candle for light and heat to last for two weeks. … [Read more...] about August 12, 1796
November 2, 1795
It is believed that on this day in 1795 William Grattan Tyrone Power, better known by his stage name Tyrone Power, was born in Co. Waterford. He was born to a wealthy family and took to the stage at an early age. He achieved success as an actor and stage manager. He starred in several Irish themed plays such as, "St. Patrick's Eve" and "King O'Neil." He also published his own … [Read more...] about November 2, 1795
December 3, 1792
A Catholic Convention is held on this date in 1792 through December 8th in Dublin. The focus of the convention was to abolish all remaining penal laws still in effect in Ireland. The Penal Laws were a series of laws that pertained to land ownership, education and religion and were designed to oppress the Roman Catholics. A petition was signed at Tailors Hall in Dublin at this … [Read more...] about December 3, 1792