#OnThisDay 1886 Richard Mulcahy was born in Waterford. He fought alongside Thomas Ashe in one of the few successful rebel actions during the Easter Rising in Ashbourne, was Minister of Defence in the First Dail, was IRA Chief of Staff during the War of Independence & became head of the National Army following Collins’ death. He later became a politician for Fine Gael and was Minister for Education in the 1940s.
#OnThisDay 1865 Jefferson Davis, the President of the Confederate States was captured by men of the 4th Michigan Cavalry whose commander (considered to be one of the best cavalry commanders) was Brevet Brigadier General Robert Horatio Minty from Westport, Mayo.
Davis was trying to flee the country to gain international support for his cause. He could not accept that General Lee had surrendered. Davis did two years in jail and never asked nor was offered a pardon.
#OnThisDay 1318 Richard de Clare & his Norman army was defeated by the Gaelic forces of O’Brien, O’Connor & O’Dea at the Battle of Dysert O’Dea in Clare. De Clare, his son and 80 noblemen were killed in this battle, as well as hundreds of his soldiers and De Clare home, Bunratty Castle was set alight by his wife who fled back to England. Kingdom of Thomond remained free from foreign rule for 200 years.
#OnThisDay 1921 Capt Frank Hurley was shot dead as a prisoner of the Essex Regiment in Bandon, Cork. Knowing the fate of several of the Essex’s prisoners, he made a run for it but tripped & was hit. His sister Anna was the leader of the Bandon Cumann na mBan.
#OnThisDay 1916 Thomas Kent was executed in Cork. He had taken part in a several hour long gunfight with the RIC who were arresting local Nationalists after the Easter Rising had failed to start in Cork. His brother & an RIC officer were killed in the shootout.
The Irish at War 