Blog

#OnThisDay 1893 Rosie Hackett was born in Dublin. Hackett was a co-founder of Irish Women’s Workers Union &supported workers in the 1913 Lockout. A member of the ICA, she helped print the Proclamation&was stationed in St Stephen’s Green during the Easter Rising.

#OnThisDay 1944 USS Mason docked in Belfast. The ship had an all African-American crew. “William Bland, also of the Mason, said, “the Irish people didn’t look on us as our skin colour. They looked on us as Americans. American fighting men.”

#OnThisDay 1922 The IRA derailed a train carrying Free State Army soldiers & their prisoners at Killurin, Wexford. Two Free State soldiers are killed & 7 wounded. However, despite the firefight distracting the soldiers, the prisoners on board could not escape.

#OnThisDay 1920 Daniel McGee from Dublin was cycling his bicycle when he was hit by military motor car. In the car was Sir Warren Fisher (pic), secretary to the Treasury. Fisher brought McGee to hospital but was announced DOA. He was cleared of any wrongdoing.

#OnThisDay 1920 Churchill asked the British Cabinet “What would happen if the Protestants in the six counties were given weapons and charged with maintaining law and order and policing the country”? The Ulster Special Constabulary were formed soon after.