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.

John Patrick Kenneally, Irish Guards won the Victoria Cross Medal during WW2. Churc,hill even mentioned him in a speech for defending Ireland's honour. Kenneally wasn't Irish. He was born Leslie Jackson in Birmingham, was half Jewish & stole/took his Irish identity!

On This Day 1601 Hugh O'Neill & allies lost the Battle of Kinsale to Lord Mountjoy.A fascinating battle that had it gone the Irish & Spanish way, could have totally changed Ireland, Europe, America & the world. The Flight of the Earls & Ulster plantation would follow.