Clan Na Gael, the American counterpart to Ireland's revolutionary Irish Republican Brotherhood, was founded on this day in 1867. John Devoy, Daniel Cohalan and Joseph McGarrity help form the brotherhood in New York, with the purpose of securing an independent Ireland. … [Read more...] about June 20, 1867
Today In History
May 5, 1867
Nellie Bly, American journalist, was born Elizabeth Jane Cochran to Irish immigrants in Pennsylvania. Born in Cochran Mill's, an area named for her father Michael who began as a mill laborer and ended up owning the mill. Bly once faked insanity to expose inhumane practices in the Women's Lunatic Asylum on Blackwell's Island. In doing so she spawned a new form of "investigative" … [Read more...] about May 5, 1867
April 10, 1867
George Russell, who went by AE, was born on this day in 1867 in Lurgan, Co. Armagh. An important and interesting figure in Ireland's literary history, AE was a poet, journalist, painter and mystic. Raised in Dublin, he began an early friendship with W.B. Yeats. He worked for the Irish Agricultural Organization Society for many years and was the editor of their journal, the … [Read more...] about April 10, 1867
June 1, 1866
Renegade Irish American Fenians invade Ontario, Canada from the U.S. and successfully capture Fort Erie. Their purpose was to disrupt the transportation network in Canada until Britain would recognize Ireland's freedom. Approximately 1,000 Fenian brothers, under the command of Colonel John O'Neill, crossed the Niagara River. They defeated the inexperienced Canadian militia at … [Read more...] about June 1, 1866
December 20, 1865
Maud Gonne McBride, Irish patriot, revolutionary and Home Rule activist, was born in Dublin on this day in 1865. Following her mother's death, Gonne was sent to Paris for her education. When she returned to Ireland, Gonne moved to Donegal where she became involved in a campaign to protect people from home evictions. This was the start of her very active political career. She … [Read more...] about December 20, 1865