Senator Ted Kennedy passed away at the age of 77 on August 25th of 2009. The youngest brother of President John F. Kennedy and Robert Kennedy, Ted Kennedy became one of America's longest-serving senators. He was a leader of the Democratic party. In March of 2009, Kennedy was granted an honorary knighthood by Queen Elizabeth II for his efforts in the Northern Ireland peace … [Read more...] about August 25, 2009
Today in History
July 19, 2009
Irish American author of "Angela's Ashes" and Pulitzer Prize winner Frank McCourt passed away on July 19, 2009 in New York after battling melanoma cancer. Originally born in Brooklyn to Malachy and Angela McCourt, his parents moved the family back to Limerick after the death of his younger sister Margaret. The McCourts sunk very deep into poverty and this became the influence … [Read more...] about July 19, 2009
August 16, 2008
Ronnie Drew of The Dubliners passed away on this day in 2008 at the age of 73. Drew began his career after moving to Spain, learning to play the flamenco guitar, and becoming interested in folk music. He returned to Ireland and founded "The Ronnie Drew Ballad Group" in 1962 along with Luke Kelly, Ciaran Bourke and Barney McKenna. The group would eventually change their name to … [Read more...] about August 16, 2008
July 31, 2007
After 38 years of occupation in Northern Ireland, the British Army officially withdrew their forces at midnight on July 31, 2007. "Operation Banner," England's longest continuous military operation, saw 300,000 British soldiers stationed in Northern Ireland through out the 38 years. Operation Banner concluded on July 31st, with 762 English soldiers dead in the wake of the … [Read more...] about July 31, 2007
July 22, 2007
Golfer Padraig Harrington is the first Irish golfer to win the British Open in 60 years on July 22, 2007. Born in Ballyroan, Dublin, Harrington became interested in golf at a young age after being coached by Joseph McGinley and Mark Hynes. He had a successful amateur career and turned professional, joining the European tour in 1996 and the PGA tour in 2005. … [Read more...] about July 22, 2007