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#OnThisDay 1919 The First Dáil assembled in the Mansion House in Dublin. Only 27 of the 73 Sinn Féin TDs were present as most were in prison in England, including Éamon de Valera & Arthur Griffith. When calling the roll, if an absentee’s name was mentioned the response was “ fé ghlas ag Gallaibh” (imprisoned by the foreigners). This coincided with the start of the War of Independence.

#OnThisDay 1919 Seán Treacy (Left), Dan Breen (right) & men from the 3rd Tipperary Brigade held up a RIC patrol carrying gelignite in Soloheadbeg. They shot dead two RIC officers & stole the explosives. This action is considered the official start the Irish War of Independence.

#Ireland #History

#OnThisDay 1793 King of France, Louis XVI was executed by guillotine during the French Revolution. On the scaffold he was tended to by an Irish priest from Longford, Fr. Henry Edgeworth. Edgeworth won the respect from the sans-culottes for his devotion to duty. #Ireland #History

#OnThisDay 1923 11 AT prisoners executed (two in Limerick, four in Tralee & five in Athlone).

Kerry: 

• Michael Brosnan of Rathenny, Tralee, County Kerry.
• John Clifford of Mountluke Caherciveen, County Kerry.
• James Daly from Knock, Killarney, County Kerry.
• James Hanlon of Causeway, Tralee,

Limerick:

• Commandant Con McMahon
• Volunteer Patrick Hennessy

Athlone:

• Thomas Hughes. From Bogginfin, Athlone. He was Lieutenant Commandant, Officer Commanding Munitions Western Division I.R.A., he had served as Captain with the 3rd Engineers Dublin Brigade and was also Officer Commanding Munitions Athlone.

• Michael Walsh. Born in Derrymore County Galway. He was Vice-Commandant, 2nd Battalion No. 1 Brigade, Western Division.

• Herbert Collins. A native of Kickeen, Headford, County Galway. Captured at Currahan charged with being in possession of arms and ammunition.

• Stephen Joyce. A native of Derrymore, Caherlistrane, County Galway.

• Martin Burke. A native of Caherlistrane, County Galway. He was Officer Commanding, Active Service Unit, Number 3 Brigade, Western Division. He was captured at Dowdallshill.

#OnThisDay 1921 The Mid-Clare Flying Column ambushed & killed 6 RIC/ Black and Tans during the Glenwood Ambush in Clare. The RIC were travelling in a Crossley Tender when “bullets hit the car from all directions”. Reprisals followed in Killkishen & other areas.

#Ireland #History