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Mick Delahunty orchestra

Bandleader Brendan Ward
Dies at 97

August 5, 2021 by 9 Comments

Legendary Irish musician and Mayo native Brendan Ward died Saturday, July 24th in Rochester, New York. By Kevin O'Connor Mr. Brendan Ward, who has died at his daughter’s home in Rochester, New York on July 24th was hailed in his native Mayo as a musical genius. Foxford-born Brendan Ward (who was 97) learned the violin and piano at his local school and later became … [Read more...] about Bandleader Brendan Ward
Dies at 97

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May 10, 1869

The Transcontinental Railroad was completed. The first spikes were driven in 1863 during the Civil War, and over the following 6 year period, over 2,000 miles of track was laid entirely by hand over rugged terrain including the Sierra Nevada mountains. The Central Pacific Company built East from Sacramento, while the Union Pacific built West from Omaha, Nebraska. Both teams tried to beat the other’s record for track laying. The Central Pacific concocted a plan to lay 10 miles in a day. Eight Irish tracklayers put down 3,520 rails, while other workers laid 25,800 ties and drove 28,160 spikes in a single day. On May 10, 1869, at Promontory Summit, Utah, a golden spike was hammered into the final tie.

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