In November 1960, The first Aer Lingus Boeing 707 Jet, Padraig, arrives at Dublin Airport.

This day 96 years ago – 6 December 1922 – the Irish Free State was formally established.

As reported on the day: “The Irish people will make their own laws, shape their own progress, establish their own traditions of government. Their future will be what they choose to make it.”

Anti-communist oratory from IRA volunteer Jimmy Steele that saw him purged from IRA by Cathal Goulding in 1969.

"One is expected to be more conversant with the teaching of Chairman Mao than those of our dead patriots"

On This Day 1883: Birth in Dublin of Peadar Kearney, songwriter, revolutionary & house-painter! Best known for writing the words of "The Soldier's Song" ("Amhrán na bhFiann"), the Irish national anthem. Uncle of Irish writers Brendan Behan, Brian Behan & Dominic Behan.

John Devoy Irish Fenian and a forgotten architect of Easter Rising forced to flee Ireland in 1866 leaving his fiancee Eliza he thought to be dead after 1870

Following Independence he discovered her still alive after 58 years and they spent their final few years together

67 years of service to the cause of Irish separatism most thought mad, imprisoned and exiled for 58 years before tirelessly working against the odds and with minimal chance of success only to pull it off and arrive home to an Ireland reborn.

How Dublin City Council refused to build a Pearse statue for fear of not being diverse enough and promoting the IRA.
https://comeheretome.com/2013/06/05/pearse-and-the-pillar/

Wren Day celebrated on St Stephens Day (26 Dec). Fake wren is put on top of a decorated pole & 'hunted'! Crowds of mummers/strawboys dress up in straw suits, form music bands & parade. Crowds called wren boys.
Dingle, Co Kerry, Ireland.
#Folklore

Story that the wren betrayed the hiding place of St Stephen, the 1st martyr, by chattering on the bush where he was hiding. A betrayal which led to the saint being stoned to death. This is one of several stories about why Wren Day occurs (on 26 Dec in Ireland)!
#Folklore

Cliona, a woman of the otherworld who seduced young men to follow her to the seashore & drown was charmed to protect! As a punishment she was forced to take the shape of a wren every St Stephens Day! Hence the seemingly barbarous practice of hunting the wren! #Folklore

There is a Celtic myth that the robin that was supposed to represent the New Year killed the wren which represented the Old Year during this time, which might explain the origins of St Stephens Day Wren Day! #Folklore
https://whistlesinthewind.wordpress.com/2012/12/19/the-battle-of-the-robin-and-the-wren/

The wran, the wran, the king of all birds,
On St. Stephen's day was caught in the furze.
His body is little but his family is great
So rise up landlady and give us a trate.
And if your trate be of the best
Your soul in heaven can find it's rest.
#Folklore
https://youtu.be/MyA1zKBUhxM

On This Day 1899 The British lost the Battle of Colenso to the Boers. Once again, there were Irish units fighting on both sides in this battle. MacBride's Brigade fought against Royal Dublin Fusiliers, Connaught Rangers & other British Army units.

This day 80 years ago – 17 December 1938 – the Gaelic Athletic Association announced that President of Ireland Douglas Hyde was to have his patronage revoked after attending a soccer match between Ireland and Poland the previous month, a violation of Rule 27 on 'foreign games'.

On This Day 1834 Twelve poor farmers were killed when shot dead in Rathcormac, Cork by Crown forces collecting tithes during the Tithe War. These tithes were to be paid to the Anglican Church of which tenants were not members. One example during the many in the Tithe War.