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
Today In History
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
April 21, 1907
On April 21, 1907, the Irish nationalist groups Cumman na nGaedheal and the Dungannon Clubs combined to form the Sinn Féin League, an early manifestation of the Sinn Féin political party of today. Prior to the Sinn Féin League, there had been a variety of nationalist groups, which Arthur Griffith, editor of the United Irishman newspaper (and later leader of Sinn Féin and … [Read more...] about April 21, 1907
October 22, 1906
The famous pianist Charles Lynch was born on this day in 1906. Born in Co. Cork to a well off family descended from novelist Maria Edgeworth (Castle Rackrent), Lynch gave his first piano recital at the young age of nine. At fifteen, he won a scholarship to study at the Royal Academy of Music, London. He became famous through out England and premiered the works of several 20th … [Read more...] about October 22, 1906