#OnThisDay 1939 The IRA attacked the Irish Army’s Phoenix Park Magazine Fort in what is known as the ‘Christmas Raid. The IRA stole over a million rounds of ammunition in 13 trucks with no casualties inflicted. Most of the ammo was recovered in a few days.
#OnThisDay 1920 The Government of Ireland Act became law creating Northern Ireland & Southern Ireland, both with their own parliaments. This Act was terribly out of touch as Nationalists sought an independent republic rather than Home Rule.
#OnThisDay 1878 Francis Skeffington was born in Cavan. Skeffy was a writer & political activist who took his wife’s surname after marriage becoming Sheehy-Skeffington. He was executed during the Easter Rising despite having no involvement & being a pacifist.
#OnThisDay 1989 Author, playwright, Nobel Laureate Samuel Beckett passed away in Paris. During WW2, Beckett was a member of the French Resistance &was awarded the Croix de Guerre & Médaille de la Résistance. He referred to his actions as ‘boy scout stuff’.
#OnThisDay 1863 Brigadier General Michael Corcoran, from Ballymote Sligo, died when he fell from his horse. Corcoran led the New York 69th into their first battle at Bull Run. He later established the other lesser known Irish unit, Corcoran’s Legion.
The Irish at War 