Thomas Keneally, the Irish Australian author of Schindler's Ark which would later become Schindler's List, was born on this day in 1935 in Sydney, Australia. Keneally originally entered St. Patrick's Seminary in the hopes of becoming a priest but left before he was ordained. He published Schindler's Ark in 1982, which won him the Booker Prize and the notice of Steven Spielberg. … [Read more...] about October 7, 1935
Today In History
October 20, 1933
"A Soldier's Song" becomes the official National Anthem of Ireland on this day in 1933. Written by Peader Keaney and composed by Patrick Heeney in 1907, the song was first published in 1912 and quickly became very popular. It was used as a marching song by Irish Volunteers and the IRA during the Irish War of Independence. After the establishment of the Free State, "A Soldier's … [Read more...] about October 20, 1933
November 3, 1932
Albert Reynolds, Taoiseach from 1992 to 1994, was born on this day in Co. Roscommon in 1932. Reynolds became wealthy during the 1960s after opening up a series of dance halls and developing a series of business contacts. He became interested in politics in the 1970s during the Irish Arms Crisis. He was elected to the Dail Eireann under the Fianna Fail party in 1977. He acted as … [Read more...] about November 3, 1932
October 26, 1932
Margaret Brown, or "The Unsinkable Molly Brown," survivor of the Titanic died in New York City on this day in 1932. Born Margaret Tobin in Missouri, she relocated to Colorado at the age of 18. She met J.J. Brown, also the child of Irish immigrants. The two married and acquired great wealth after J.J.'s engineering efforts helped Ibex Mining Company in the production of ore. … [Read more...] about October 26, 1932
August 2, 1932
Actor Peter O'Toole was born in Connemara on August 2nd, 1932. O'Toole, educated at the Royal Academy for the Dramatic Arts after being rejected from Dublin's Abbey Theater, first achieved stardom after landing the role of T.E. Lawrence in "Lawrence of Arabia" (1962). His performance in "Lawrence of Arabia" is considered by many to be one of the best performances in cinematic … [Read more...] about August 2, 1932