Today in History

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

Kilmainham Gaol, at the time called the New Gaol and County of Dublin Gaol, is completed and receives its first prisoners on August 12, 1796. Unlike other prisons of the time, Kilmainham was not a segregated prison. Men, women and children were held up to 5 in each cell, with only a candle for light and heat to last for two weeks. … [Read more...] about August 12, 1796

Wolfe Tone visited Belfast for the first time on this day in 1791 and established the Society of the United Irishmen. Tone founded the United Irishmen with the help of other famous nationalists like Henry Joy McCracken, Thomas Russell and Samuel Neilson. The United Irishmen was inspired by both the French and American revolutions and tried to achieve parliamentary reform. … [Read more...] about October 14, 1791