The Irish political party Cumann na nGaedheal (Society of the Gaels) was founded by the politician and writer Arthur Griffith in September 1900. Griffith founded the party to bring together the various nationalist groups which existed in Ireland at that time. In 1933 Cumann na nGaedheal merged with other groups to form the political party which is today known as Fine Gael (Family of the Irish).

Griffith played a leading role in the achievement of Irish independence. Through his writing he was influential in developing many of the ideas behind the movement which eventually led to the break with Britain. He was opposed to violence and was an advocate of peaceful means as the way to achieve Home Rule. As editor of the United Irishman he encouraged the idea of self-government for Ireland. One his ideas was for Irish independence under a dual monarchy.

Following the War of Independence, Griffith was selected to lead the ‘envoys plenipotentiary from the elected government of the Republic of Ireland’ in negotiating the Anglo-Irish Treaty 1921. The Treaty established Ireland as a self-governing Free State and was ratified by 64 votes to 57 by Dáil Eireann on January 7th 1922. When those opposed to the Treaty lost the vote, they walked out of parliament led by Éamon de Valera. Arthur Griffith died during the Civil War which followed. The civil war ended in victory for the supporters of the Treaty on May 24th 1923.

Cumann na nGaedheal (Society of the Gaels) was founded by Arthur Griffith in the year 1900 On This Day.

Photo by National Library of Ireland on The Commons

February 11, 1932 by National Library of Ireland on The Commons on 1932-01-01 00:00:00

Photo by infomatique

Enda Kenny’s Victory Speech – Irish General Election 2011 by infomatique on 2011-02-27 00:38:40

Pope John Paul II visited Ireland in 1979. He was the first pontiff in history to visit Ireland. During the three days he spent in the country the Pope visited Dublin, Drogheda, Galway, Knock, Clonmacnoise, Maynooth and Limerick. He was greeted by large crowds at every location. Over 1.25 million people welcomed him at a special mass in the Phoenix Park on the first day of his visit.

Pope John Paul II arrived at Dublin Airport in the year 1979 On This Day.

Photo by lyng883

DSC01543, Papal Cross at Phoenix Park, Dublin, Ireland. by lyng883 on 2006-09-02 07:41:49

An Garda Síochána station in Carlow town, Ireland is located on the Athy Road. The station moved there from its location on Tullow Street in 1991. An Garda Síochána (Guardian of the Peace), which is the police force of Ireland, has its headquarters in the Phoenix Park in Dublin.

The Peace Preservation act of 1814 brought about the establishment of the first police force in Ireland. However it was the Irish Constabulary Act of 1822 that saw the real beginning of an Irish Police Force. Under that Act a police force was established in each province in Ireland. A police command structure was put in place which had its headquarters in Dublin.

The Constabulary (Ireland) Act of 1836 further reorganised the new police force and led to the introduction a constabulary code of regulations. Permission to name The Irish Constabulary as the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) was granted by Queen Victoria in 1867. The RIC became the model for many other police forces around the world.

In 1822 seventy two police officers of the new Irish Constabulary were appointed to stations throughout County Carlow. For the purposes of policing, County Carlow was divided into two districts, Carlow and Bagenalstown. Eight police officers were assigned to Carlow Town which was designated as the headquarters for the county. The remainder were assigned to sixteen other police stations around the county.

Following independence in 1922 the RIC was replaced by a new police force called the Civic Guard. The Civic Guard was later renamed An Garda Síochána. The RIC departed from Carlow in February 1922 and were replaced by the Civic Guard the following September.

Twenty eight Garda and three Sergeants took up duty in Carlow town in the year 1922 On This Day.

Photo by conner395

badge – Ireland Eire – Garda Siochana LAPEL PIN by conner395 on 2013-07-19 23:03:50

Garda Headquarters, Phoenix Park, Dublin

Photo by National Library of Ireland on The Commons

Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT) is an institution of higher education in Limerick, Ireland which offers courses from undergraduate through to PhD. The Institute also caters for craft apprentices and adult and continuing education. LIT which has a student population of 7,000 has campuses in Limerick city, Thurles and Clonmel in County Tipperary and in Ennis, County Clare.

The campuses in Thurles and Clonmel are known as LIT Tipperary. They were formerly known as Tipperary Rural and Business Development Institute and operated under the name of Tipperary Institute. Tipperary Institute was opened in 1999. In 2011 it was merged with LIT and the name was changed to LIT Tipperary. LIT Tipperary provides courses fully accredited under the Higher Education and Training awards Council.

Tipperary Rural and Business Development Institute, now LIT Tipperary, was officially opened in the year 1999 On This Day.

Photo by RedCraig

Creators of Modern Warfare 3 networking technology meet LIT-Tipperary Students by RedCraig on 2012-01-11 12:12:10

Photo by topgold

Tipperary Institute Schoolworks 2007 by topgold on 2007-03-05 14:29:34

Michael Lee Aday is a musician, singer-songwriter and actor better known as Meat Loaf. With sales of over 80 million records he is one of the best-selling artists of all time. He won a Grammy Award for the song ‘I’d Do Anything for Love’ and enjoyed great success for his ‘Bat Out of Hell’ albums.

Michael Lee Aday was born in Dallas, Texas in 1947. Following high school he attended the University of North Texas before moving to Los Angeles in 1967. He started his first band ‘Meat Loaf Soul’ in Los Angeles. The band split up and Meat Loaf found success on the stage in the musicals ‘Hair’ and ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’.

In 1975 Meat Loaf starred in the successful movie version of ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’. He released his first album ‘Bat Out of Hell’ in 1977. It has sold over 43 million copies globally and is one of the best-selling albums of all time. Meat loaf continues to perform. During his career he has toured widely and plans to release an album in 2016.

Meat Loaf was born Marvin Lee Aday in Dallas Texas in the year 1947 On This Day.

Photo by Christie D. Mallon

MeatLoaf