Conway Mill Trust » Historical Facts

Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921 Now Online

admin — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 14:49:30 +0000

A viewing of the original Anglo-Irish Treaty which was signed on December 6, 1921 is now available online at http://treatynationalarchives.ie/. This treaty proclaimed that Ireland should become a self-governing dominion within the empire known as the Irish Free State with the same constitutional status as Canada. This treaty led to the Civil War, pitting former comrades against each other.

This Day in Irish History – December 8, 1922

admin — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 15:19:08 +0000

Liam Meadows, Rory O’Connor, Joseph McKelvey and Richard Barrett — one from each of the four Provinces, were executed by the new Free State Forces for their role in the Irish Civil War.

This Day In Irish History – December 6, 1921

admin — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 15:18:11 +0000

Representatives of the Irish government appointed by Eamon de Valera and those of the British crown signed the Anglo-Irish Treaty ending the Irish War of Independence. Michael Collins, one of the delegates, said, “I have signed my own death warrant.” It was not accepted by many since it didn’t create a Republic but a divided Ireland with allegiance to the King. The result was the Irish Civil War.

Robert Emmet Executed

admin — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 15:35:14 +0000

On September 20, 1803 Robert Emmet, leader of a failed rebellion, was executed in Dublin. His speech from the dock has become famous, “Let no man write my epitath. When my country takes her place among the nations of the earth, then, and not till then, let my epitath be written.” His burial place remains a mystery.

“Woes of Ireland”

admin — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 16:15:22 +0000

Richard “Strongbow” de Clare married the daughter of the Irish King of Leinster in 1170, setting a precedent for Norman rule in Ireland, the beginning of the “woes of Ireland” according to the “Annals of Ulster.”

September’s Irish History

admin — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 17:36:52 +0000

In September 1845, the Dublin Evening Post reported ‘a disease in the potato crop.’ This disease destroyed 40 percent of the crop in that year and nearly 100 percent the following year, resulting in the “Great Hunger.” The population declined over 8 million to less than 6 million in six years due to starvation, disease and emigration.

On September 10, 2001 Fr. Mychal Judge, chaplain to the New York Fire Department, re-dedicated a firehouse in the Bronx with these words, “Good days, bad days, but never a boring day on this job. You do what God has called you to do. You show up, you put one foot in front of another, and you do your job, which is a mystery and a surprise. You have no idea, when you get in that rig, what God is calling you to do. But He needs you, so keep on going. Keep supporting each other. Be kind to each other. Work together. You love your job. We all do. What a blessing that is.” Less than 24 hours later, Fr. Judge was killed working alongside police and firemen trying to save lives in the Twin Towers. September 11, 2001 will rank among the bloodiest days in Irish history. Thousands of friends and relatives around the world lost loved ones that day. People of all nationalities died, hundreds of Irish and Irish-Americans among them, more than any other ethnic group.

St. Patrick’s Hospital for the mentally ill was opened in Dublin in September 1757, funded by Jonathan Swift who, suffering from an inner ear disease, thought he was going mad. From “Gulliver’s Travels” by Jonathan Swift…”that whoever could make two ears of corn or two blades of grass to grow upon a spot of ground where only one grew before would deserve better of mankind and do more essential service to his country than the whole race of politicians put together.”

Michaelmas Day is celebrated on September 29, the Feast of St. Michael. This marks the end of the harvest and fishing season.

This Day in Irish History

admin — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 17:05:20 +0000

Robert Emmett who tried unsuccessfully to lead a rebellion in 1803 was captured on August 25, 1803. He was executed in September 1803.

This Day in History

admin — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 11:13:33 +0000

On August 19, 1876 the ship “Catalpa” arrived in the U.S. with six Irish prisoners who had been rescued from the British penal colony in Australia.

This Day In Irish History

admin — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 17:02:34 +0000

On August 16, 1649 Oliver Cromwell landed in Ireland with 17,000 men. They attacked Drogheda and slaughtered several thousand men, women and children. His army marched all over Ireland slaughtering as they went.

Oliver Cromwell Arrives in Ireland

admin — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 11:13:09 +0000

On August 15, 1649 Oliver Cromwell arrived in Ireland. During the next 10 years it is estimated that one third of the population either died of starvation or were killed.