Today in History

Mary O'Connell, famous American Civil War nurse, was born in Limerick on this day in 1814. After immigrating to the U.S. and being educated there, O'Connell became Sister Anthony, SC. On the battlefield, she became known as "the angel of the battlefield." Aside from caring for soldiers, Sister Anthony was also recognized for her work during the yellow fever scare of 1877. … [Read more...] about August 14, 1814

Irish nationalist Robert Emmet is executed by the British in Dublin on this day in 1803. Born in Co. Cork on March 4, 1778 to a wealthy Protestant family, Emmet attended Trinity College Dublin. After school, he travelled to France and managed to get Napoleon to offer French aid for an Irish rebellion. When the 1798 rebellion by the United Irishmen failed, Emmet attempted to … [Read more...] about September 20, 1803

Kilkenny born Edmund Rice opened up his first school in Waterford on August 15th of 1803. Originally a makeshift school for poor boys held in a converted stable on New Street, Rice was forced to move to a more permanent location as the school began to grow. On August 15th, Mount Sion Primary School welcomed its first students. This would be the first school of many future … [Read more...] about August 15, 1803

In opposition to the 1800 Acts of Union, Irish nationalist and rebel Robert Emmet returned to Ireland, after attempting to secure aid from the French, to plan a rebellion. On the evening of July 23, 1803, a rising erupted in Dublin. The rebels attempted to seize Dublin Castle, but failed, and the rising only amounted to a large-scale riot. The British military was able to stop … [Read more...] about July 23, 1803

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