Latest news with #Famine
France 24
a day ago
- Business
- France 24
Two Israelis questioned in Brussels over alleged Gaza war crimes
02:09 22/07/2025 Famine looms in Gaza amid mounting warnings 22/07/2025 Donald Trump releases Martin Luther King files 22/07/2025 Bangladesh plane crash kills at least 27, including 25 children Asia / Pacific 22/07/2025 Harvard fights Trump administration in court over $2.6 billion funding cut 22/07/2025 France, UK and 23 other countries issue joint plea for war in Gaza to 'end now' 21/07/2025 France's Minister in Ukraine for high-level talks amid strikes 21/07/2025 Ahead of new talks, Iran blames Europeans for nuclear deal collapse 21/07/2025 Thailand: Sex scandal shakes Buddhist faithful 21/07/2025 Gaza: Israeli military expands ground operation into city of Deir al-Balah
Irish Post
6 days ago
- General
- Irish Post
Ireland's footprint on Scottish turf — the story of Hibs
THE problem with a name like Ballingarry is that there are several of them in Ireland, four of which lie in adjacent counties. One of them, in Co. Tipperary, was the site of the 1848 Young Ireland rebellion. Two others, in Tipperary and Limerick, have no claim to fame that I know of. However, a second Ballingarry in Co. Limerick, to the south of Rathkeale and on the road to Charleville, is home to the birthplace of a man who would accomplish great deeds in Scotland rather than in Ireland in the second half of the 19th century. Edward Joseph Hannan was born in 1836 at a farm in the Glen, Ballygrennan townland, to the south of the Famine memorial on the hill of Knockfeirna. It is hoped that later this year, a plaque will be unveiled on the gatepost of the farm, signposting his birthplace. A memorial to him can already be found at the premises of local soccer team Ballingarry AFC. The second son of 11 children born to parents John and Johanna, as an adolescent he would have witnessed the worst excesses of the Great Famine; an experience which may well have convinced him to dedicate his life to the championing of the poor. The parish priest in Ballingarry at the time, Archdeacon Michael Fitzgerald, a disciple of Daniel O'Connell and subsequently agitator for poor relief and land reform, was the main spiritual influence in young Hannan's life. After a basic primary school education close to Ballingarry town, there followed two years at St Munchin's junior seminary in Limerick; and then six years of study at All Hallows College, Drumcondra, Dublin. Bishop Gillis of the Eastern District of Scotland, desperate for priests to administer to the huge Irish influx following the Famine, paid for his education there. Edward Hannan was ordained in 1860 and the following year moved to Edinburgh, where he was to stay till his death 30 years later. The Knockfeirna Famine memorial near Ballingarry quoting local parish priest Archdeacon Michael Fitzgerald (picture Mike Hennessy) He became a curate at St Pat's Church in the Cowgate, nicknamed 'Little Ireland' for good reason. A once thriving and prosperous area of the city, it had been allowed to degenerate as the nobility and gentry who had lived there moved north to more attractive lodgings in the New Town. The empty houses were filled initially by displaced Scottish Highlanders, victims of the Clearances, and then by the waves of Irish immigrants fleeing poverty and starvation at home. Unscrupulous landlords filled the tenements with as many families as possible, with scant regard for human decency, access to light or basic sanitation. Disease was everywhere, and Hannan himself caught typhoid in his first few years after visiting his sick parishioners. Many of his flock had had no education and could scarcely speak English, making them unemployable. And they also faced religious prejudice, given that they were entering the home city of John Knox, the father of the Reformation in Scotland. Ballingarry AFC Memorial Hannan embarked upon a mission to educate the poor and to encourage temperance, clean living and the adoption of family values. One vehicle was the Catholic Young Men's Society (CYMS), a branch of which he opened in 1865. It became the most successful in Scotland within a decade, providing a savings bank, funeral and benefits society, a library, reading rooms, a drama society, a ball court and a large hall for major events such as concerts and, later, political meetings. The more enlightened members of the Protestant establishment were supportive, and Lord Provost William Chambers laid the foundation stone for the new home for the CYMS in St Mary's Street in 1869. The building, known as the Catholic Institute, still stands today. The great hall on the first floor became known as St Mary's Street Hall. And it was there that Father Hannan announced, on 6th August 1875, the launch of a football (soccer) club by some young members of the Society, who had been excluded from playing for other local clubs on the basis of their nationality and their religion. That club was named Hibernian Football Club, its badge the harp and its motto Erin go Bragh (Ireland Forever). Hibernian FC celebrates 150 years since its birth this year. Canon Hannan is remembered each year with a commemorative Mass at St Pat's and a service at the Grange cemetery on or around his birthday (21st June) or his passing (24th June). He is also remembered in his only biography, Edinburgh's First Hibernian , published by Thirsty Books and due for release on 6th August. Despite some early resistance from the Scottish and Edinburgh football authorities, Hibs, as they became known, very quickly became the dominant club in the East of Scotland, and in 1887, the first club from there to win the Scottish Cup. Proceeds from matches were donated to charities of all religions. But storm clouds were gathering, and a combination of losing half their team to the newly formed Glasgow Celtic in 1888, and the loss of their ground when it became more valuable to developers than it was as a football ground, resulted in the club stopping playing for nearly 18 months just before Hannan's death in 1891. Hibs' temporary hibernation may also have resulted from its committee men, including to some extent Hannan himself, taking their eye off the ball and becoming more interested in supporting Charles Stuart Parnell's Home Rule movement than the fortunes of their football club. Many of these men were active members of the Irish National League until it split following the public outrage at Parnell's relationship with Kitty O'Shea. The club returned to its competitive best in the following decade and once again won the Scottish Cup in 1902 and the Scottish League for the first time in season 1902–03. By this time, it had secured a new ground some 200 yards further along Albion Road from the previous one, and that remains the home of the club to this day. There have, of course, been many improvements and redevelopments over the years, including the building of modern stands and the levelling of the pitch, which was once notorious for its slope. On the pitch, the club had a couple of purple patches. Between 1948 and 1952 they won the Scottish League three times with a forward line which can claim to be Scotland's best ever, the Famous Five. And in the late 1960s and early 1970s, a team which became known as Turnbull's Tornadoes after their manager Eddie Turnbull, was denied major honours only because it coincided with the emergence of Jock Stein's Celtic, at one point the best in Europe if not the world. It was during this period, on New Year's Day 1973, that Hibs won the derby match away to Edinburgh rivals Hearts, by 0–7. The Scottish Cup eluded them for more than a century; a 'curse' having been placed on the club when a harp was removed from the stands. It was replaced in 2016, and within months, Hibs had beaten Rangers 3–2 to bring the cup back to their home grounds at Easter Road. Hibs will celebrate these events and many more from its 150 years in the next 12 months. The programme will start with an exhibition for fans in St Mary's Street Hall on August 6th, showcasing the club's history with memorabilia and artefacts. There will be further exhibitions, celebratory dinners, presentations and dedications throughout the year. All of which you can keep up to date with via Despite the club's name (Latin for Ireland), Hibs' Irish credentials have sometimes been questioned. There have been periods when the club has sought to distance itself from its roots, but the club's badge—with its green and white colours, the harp beside Edinburgh Castle and emblem of the port of Leith—pays tribute to the blending of the best of Ireland and Scotland, as Canon Hannan would have wished all those years ago. Edinburgh's First Hibernian is available from August 6 from: The book is illustrated and contains over 500 of them footnotes, referencing to an extensive range of sources. It debunks a number of myths about the founding of the club, with supporting evidence. For more information on Hibs fixtures See More: Edinburgh, Hibs, Irish Community In Scotland, Scottish Football
Irish Independent
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Former Irish Eurovision star writes new Cork anthem to inspire hurlers ahead of All-Ireland final
Dunne hails from Douglas Road in Cork but is now based in the US. A nephew of the late taoiseach Jack Lynch, his career highlight was having his song, Happy Man, selected to represent Ireland in the 1979 Eurovision Song Contest in Israel. Dunne's song beat other entrants including Red Hurley and future triple Eurovision winner, Johnny Logan. He came fifth in Jerusalem and his song sold well across Europe, soaring to No 3 in the Irish charts, ultimately selling over 250,000 copies. Dunne appeared on RTÉ's Late Late Show with Gay Byrne and toured widely. It would be fantastic if the song caught on in Cork Now, he has written a song Cork My Home which he is hoping will become an unofficial Rebel anthem after The Banks of my Own Lovely Lee. 'Eurovision was definitely my biggest break,' he said. 'I have so many great memories of Happy Man. Melodies are my strength. That's why I am so pleased with Cork My Home. It would be fantastic if the song caught on in Cork.' The singer-songwriter said he could not be prouder if his ballad ended up being sung in pubs across the Rebel capital. Plans are under way to have the song performed by various Cork choirs. ADVERTISEMENT Being a nephew of Mr Lynch – who won All-Ireland medals in both hurling and football for Cork – makes next Sunday's Croke Park showdown with Tipperary all the more special. A music graduate of University College Cork (UCC), some year ago he relocated to Pennsylvania where his career is now based. As well as performing across the US, Dunne annually leads tourist groups back to Ireland where he shows off his native country with a mixture of history, heritage, music and culture. One of the highlights of the tour is a special concert by Dunne. He plans to lead his latest American tour group to Ireland next autumn. However, he has had to drop the 't' from his first name in the US as it led to mispronunciations and misspellings. Dunne has continued writing songs but has also written several books, the latest of which – Athenry – A Famine Tale of Love and Survival – will be launched in Cork City Library on August 23 as part of Heritage Week. The book was partly inspired by the beloved Irish song, The Fields of Athenry. It is being published by Mercier Press – with Cork historian and author Michelle O'Mahony assisting with the famine reference material. Ms O'Mahony – who wrote a critically acclaimed book about the Famine in Cork – said Dunne's book is very timely as next autumn marks the 180th anniversary of the devastating potato blight which led to the Famine.
Irish Post
10-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Post
Mayor of Toronto visits Famine memorial during Dubin visit
THE Mayor of Toronto Olivia Chow made a special visit to Dublin's Famine memorial while in the city this month. Ms Chow visited Dublin and London as part of a a trade and cultural mission this week, which ran from July 7 to 9. During the Irish leg of her trip, she met the newly elected Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Ray McAdam at the Mansion House for an official bilateral meeting. Mayor of Toronto Olivia Chow pictured with Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Ray McAdam in Dublin (Pics: Damien Eagers Photography) Their one-to-one meeting saw them discuss 'city-to-city relations, economic development, cultural collaboration, and shared priorities in areas such as sustainability, tourism, and community inclusion' a spokesperson for the Mayor of Dublin's office confirmed. Ms Chow also had meetings with the IDA and Enterprise Ireland and members of Ireland's screen and filmmaking sector. As a sculptor and longtime advocate for the arts, Mayor Chow also visited the Famine Memorial on Dublin's quays while in the city 'to reflect on the historic links between Ireland and Canada'. The mayors enjoyed a bilateral meeting at Dublin's Mansion House (Pics: Damien Eagers Photography) 'It is a great privilege to welcome Mayor Olivia Chow to Dublin - a city that, like Toronto, places enormous value on creativity, inclusion and global connection,' Cllr McAdam said. 'Our two cities have a long and meaningful relationship, rooted in shared heritage and strengthened today through trade, culture, and people,' he added. 'From sustainable tourism to the screen sector, we have much to learn from each other. Councillor McAdam hosted Ms Chow during the Dublin leg of her trade and cultural mission (Pics: Damien Eagers Photography) 'As Lord Mayor, I am committed to deepening our international partnerships — and this visit from Mayor Chow is a powerful reminder of the importance of cities working together to tackle global challenges and seize shared opportunities.' Following their bilateral meeting, Mr McAdam hosted a working lunch with senior Dublin City Council officials drawn from departments including City Coordination and Regeneration, Sustainable Tourism, Film Production, Arts and Cultural Programming, and Sustainable Food Systems and Climate Action.
Irish Post
08-07-2025
- Irish Post
EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum truly lives up to its name
ON a recent trip to Dublin, after getting through catch-ups with various family members by the skin of my teeth, I decided to do a few activities usually aimed at tourists, and no I don't mean a jaunty trip to Temple Bar. I paid a visit to EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum, situated right on the banks of the Liffey. The museum, less than ten years old, is a marvel of glass and steel, and just a short walk from the city centre. Unlike traditional galleries and museums, EPIC offers an immersive journey through interactive storytelling. The museum has won "Europe's Leading Tourist Attraction" at the World Travel Awards for three years in a row. Founded in 2016 by Neville Isdell - former Coca-Cola CEO - EPIC was inaugurated by former President Mary Robinson the same year. Since then, it has become a tribute to the journeys and achievements of the Irish diaspora. Organised into four themes - Migration; Motivation; Influence; and Diaspora Today - the exhibitions guide visitors through the last fifteen hundred years of emigration. You can trace your own roots at EPIC (Wikimedia Commons/Photo by Holger Uwe Schmitt) My personal favourite was the 'Migration' section, which chronicles periods ranging from the Famine to exile, aided by compelling videos featuring people like Thomas Quinn and Ellen Mahony. EPIC also offers the 'Power of a Name' programme that allows people to submit the names, origins and departure years of emigrant ancestors, which are then projected onto the Legacy Wall. As a bonus, people can enter a draw for a bespoke genealogy session, offered in partnership with the Irish Family History Centre, allowing an exploration into their own family histories. One standout figure in the museum's collection is James Hoban, the Irish-born architect who designed the White House. A native of Kilkenny, Hoban emigrated in the late 1700s and was personally selected by George Washington to oversee the construction of the President's House. His contributions were highlighted in 2014, when then-Vice President Joe Biden addressed an audience in the White House's East Room - flanked by Irish and American flags - quoting President Kennedy's 1963 address to Ireland's Parliament: 'Our two nations, divided by distance, have been united by history and nothing exemplifies this bond more than this building. It was designed by an Irishman named James Hoban.' One couple who I spoke with, Tim and Barbara O'Brian, were visiting from Boston in the US. With Irish heritage on both sides, they said the museum was a remarkable experience. 'We were last here in 2007, and there was nothing like this then", he said, beaming with American enthusiasm. Barbara added, in a similarly cheerful tone: 'It's so great learning about all the Irish history.' In last year's major showcase, ' Look Back to Look Forward: 50 Years of the Irish in Britain,' EPIC showed the deep connection between Ireland and Britain. Its current headline exhibit, ' On the Move: A Century of the Irish Passport,' celebrates a century of Irish passports and its evolution over the years. Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Simon Harris TD said at the opening of the new exhibit, 'I am especially delighted to see submissions from citizens who have shared their significant and historic family passport stories, which highlight the experiences that make the Irish passport so special.' On a personal note, my parents emigrated from Ireland to Britain roughly 30 years ago, although I suspect instead of crossing the sea on a ferry with nothing but hope and a suitcase, they crossed by Ryanair with a wriggling baby and a hangover. Learning about the different journeys of people stretching all the way back to 500 AD was both fascinating and moving. Whether you're an enthusiastic tourist, a frequent visitor or simply curious about your own roots EPIC offers so much more than just a history lesson - its about a connection that millions of us share. It's a reminder that the story of Ireland is written, not just in its 32 counties, but all over the world.
