Salty Historian

Tradition in Samoa dictated that leadership of the islands was to be invested in a hereditary chief, but in the 1880s these claims to power were anything but certain. Robert Louis Stevenson, who lived in Samoa during this period of turmoil, commented that Europeans familiar with a history of kings and queens tend to leap to the conclusion that the office of high chief is absolute. In fact the office in Samoa was elective and held in many ways on condition of the holder's behaviour and attendance to his many obligations.

Many Irishmen enlisted in the Navy, driven by a sense of duty, adventure, and economic necessity. This essay explores the significant contributions of Irish sailors to the Royal Navy during the Great War, focusing on their roles in major sea battles that shaped the course of the conflict.

On 5 June 1916, HMS Hampshire left the Royal Navy’s anchorage at Scapa Flow, Orkney, bound for Russia. The Secretary of State for War, Lord Kitchener, was on board as part of a diplomatic and military mission aimed at boosting Russia’s efforts on the Eastern Front.

“On the last day of May 1916, the cold waters of the North Sea brought the angel of death to every part of Ireland”.

‘American naval aviation had a romantic beginning; indeed, the development of our air service from nothing to a force which, in European waters, comprised 2,500 officers and 22,000 men, is one of the greatest accomplishments of the war.’

On the night of 31 July 1917, the SS “Belgian Prince” was torpedoed by the German submarine, U-55, 175 miles North West of Tory Island. The incident occurred when the ship was traveling from Liverpool to Newport News, Virginia, in the United States, with a cargo of blue clay – which is rich in minerals. That night, thirty-nine men drowned.

“The sea was running so high that the boat over turned almost immediately. Most of the crew managed to cling to the ' keel and succeeded in turning the boat , but it filled with water and capsized again , The same thing happened on four other occasions , and each time some of the sailors disappeared .

“It was one of the most pro-British Areas in the south of Ireland. A large majority of the inhabitants of the Company area were hostile, being largely made up of Protestant Landowners and 7 seaside villages. Practically every house in those villages were occupied by British Army and Naval Pensioners and at least 80% of them were hostile.” Picture Irish Examiner Tue, 19 Mar, 2013

Cumann na mBan, which translates to "The Women's Council" in Irish, was an Irish republican women's organization founded in 1914. It played a significant role in the struggle for Irish independence during the early 20th century.

Daniel joined the Free State Army shortly after the commencement of hostilities. It wasn't long before Daniel and numerous others met their tragic destinies.

For this action by the I.R.A came the reaction from the crown forces. Three properties were to be destroyed. Michael Kelleher Copingerstown, Ballinacurra and William and Thomas Cashman of Ballinrostig.

The Aeridheacht events served as a space where like-minded individuals could come together, fostering a sense of community and solidarity among those who supported the Gaelic revival.

It's important to note that urban myths are not based on verified facts or evidence, and they are typically debunked when examined critically. It's always advisable to approach such stories with scepticism and verify information from credible sources before accepting them as true.

America, Marriage and the Home Rule Question. The image here is a Pro-Home Rule postcard 'Home Rule; Ireland Sings Her Old Songs.' Featuring Irish Round Tower, Irish wolfhound and Fenian symbol of the Rising Sun.(National Museums NI)

Edward Maguire Lahiff (b. 1862- d 1914) a pioneer of the Irish land league movement was a well-known Nationalist journalist both in Ireland and in America. One of Mr. Lahiff's journalistic feats was to get an interview from William Ewart Gladstone on the home rule bill, this was the first time Gladstone ever consented to an interview with a newspaper representative. For a period he acted as secretary to Mayor Hanson, of Chicago, and was identified prominently with American politics. Edward M. Lahiff was proud of his Irish roots especially his home parish of Aghada.

The problem with the Bureau of Military History (BMH) documents is the diverseness within the claimed incidents that occurred and has been misread to a large degree by many, including a recent publication of the Republican movement which included L Company in East Cork.

This is a work in progress and hopefully in time build up an image of life in Aghada and the surrounding area during the War of Independence / Civil war. Part One gives a timeline of activities carried out by Aghada's L company during this period while Part Two will show the list of men in L Company and the actions they carried out.