#OnThisDay 1894 Dan Breen was born in Donohill, Tipperary. Breen was in the IRA & fired some of the first shots of the War of Independence at Soloheadbeg. He fought throughout the war with a price on his head& later opposed the Treaty. He became a Fianna Fáil TD.
#OnThisDay 1690 Patrick Sarsfield guided by Galloping Hogan intercepted & destroyed a Williamite supply train at Ballyneety, Limerick. They destroyed 16 cannons & burned over 150 wagons full of food, arms & ammo. Famously as he entered the Williamite camp he shouted ‘Sarsfield’s the word & Sarsfield’s the man.’
#OnThisDay 1945 The second atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, Japan. Corkman Dr. Aidan MacCarthy saw the explosion & helped the wounded & even saved his former captors. MacCarthy had joined the RAF on a whim, was evacuated at Dunkirk & captured in Singapore.
#OnThisDay 1944 Five Irish members of the SAS & formerly of the Royal Ulster Rifles were captured & executed by the SS in France.
Capt Pat Garstin MC, Dublin.
Thomas Barker, Cookstown
L/Cpl Lutton, Ulster
Billy Young, Randalstown
Tpr Joe Walker, Moira
#OnThisDay 1690 William of Orange began the Siege of Limerick but with no siege artillery. The city’s Jacobite defenders are poorly armed. French General Lauzun said Limerick “could be taken with roast apples” & deserts. The Williamites leave after just 3 weeks.
The Irish at War 