Today In History

Archbishop Paul Cullen of Dublin becomes the first Irish cardinal on this day in 1866. Born in Co. Kildare, Cullen went on to study at the Sacred Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith. Cullen was appointed rector of Irish College and helped secure the college's future. While rector from 1832-1850, he forged a close friendship with Pope Gregory XVI and Pope Pius IX and … [Read more...] about June 22, 1866

After the start of the Irish Rebellion of 1798 on May 24, the United Irishmen were defeated by British forces on this day in 1798. Historically known as the Battle of Vinegar Hill, almost 1,000 rebels lost their lives in this battle, which marked a turning point and eventual loss in the Rebellion of 1798. … [Read more...] about June 21, 1798

The Irish Rebellion of 1798, led by the United Irishmen began in May and lasted until June 21 when General Lake took Vinegar Hill and pushed on through into the town of Wexford. The leaders of the rebellion, including Father John Murphy were executed by British soldiers after first being tortured. Murphy was stripped, flogged, and hanged. His decapitated head was placed on a … [Read more...] about May 22, 1798

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