06 February-Arthur Ashe

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Arthur Ashe was a World No. 1 tennis player. He is the only African-American male tennis player to win the United States, Wimbledon and Australian Opens. He is the first black American to be ranked number 1 tennis player in the world. Ashe was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1985.

Arthur Robert Ashe was born in Richmond, Virginia, USA on July 10^th 1943. He began playing tennis at the age of seven. Ashe, in 1963, became the first African-American to be a member of the United States Davis Cup team. He played with the Davis Cup team for ten years, winning in 1968, 1969 and 1970. He won the US Open in 1968, Australian Open 1970, French Open in 1970 and 1971 and Wimbledon in 1975.

In July 1979 Arthur Ashe suffered a heart attack. He had just completed a coaching session for underprivileged children in New York City. Ashe later underwent heart surgery during which he contracted HIV from a blood transfusion. He established programmes to raise awareness of, and to help fight the disease.

Arthur Ashe, who was the first African American number 1 tennis player in the world, contracted HIV from a blood transfusion in 1979 and died of Aids-related pneumonia aged 49 in the year 1993 On This Day.

US Open 2008 : Arthur Ashe stadium at Flushing Meadows, NY.

27 May-Dawson Stelfox

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Dawson Stelfox was the first person from Ireland to reach the summit of Mount Everest. He completed the climb in 1993, almost fifty years after New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Nepali Tenzing Norgay, reached the summit on May 29th 1953. At 8,848 metres (29,029 feet) above sea level, Mount Everest is the highest mountain peak in the world.

James Dawson Stelfox was born in Belfast on March 24^th 1958. He was educated at the Royal Belfast Academical Institution before entering the Queen’s University, Belfast. He qualified as an Architect and has worked on several major projects, including restoration works on the Parliament Buildings at Stormont following a fire there in 1995.

The 1993 climb was the first Irish attempt on Everest. It was supported by Mountaineering Ireland and the Sports Councils in both Dublin and Belfast. Irish companies also helped to finance the project. The climbing party was led by Dawson Stelfox. The seven other members were, Frank Nugent, Dermot Somers, Robbie Fenlon, Mike Barry, Richard O’Neill Dean, Mick Murphy and Tony Burke.

Dawson Stelfox became the first Irish person to stand on the summit of Mount Everest in the year 1993 On This Day.

Photo by watchsmart

Mount Everest

04 April-Watergate Theatre

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Watergate Theatre is located in Kilkenny City, Ireland. Described as a centre for the visual and performing arts the theatre has seating for over 300. It provides a wide and varied programme of entertainment, including both amateur and professional performances from home and abroad.

Theatre and the Arts have always had a special place in Kilkenny. In 1802 Sir Richard Power of Kilfane established a theatre in Kilkenny called The Athenaeum. Thomas Moore, ‘The Bard of Erin’ met his wife while performing at the theatre in 1811. The theatre attracted famous actors of the day.

Performances at the Atenaeum were held over eight weeks, two weeks in the Summer season and six in Winter. The performances attracted many visitors who came to the city to enjoy a great festival experience. Charitable organisations in the area were given most of the profits. The Athenaeum closed following a performance of Richard the Third on October 28^th 1819.

Watergate Theatre opened on Parliament Street Kilkenny City in 1993 On This Day.

Photo by yellow book

Watergate Theatre

Photo by infomatique

Kilkenny City

13 September-Niall Horan, One Direction

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Niall Horan is a singer and musician who is a native of Co Westmeath. He is best known as a member of the boy band, One Direction. As well as singing and playing the guitar, he has also co-written several of the bands songs, including ‘Taken’ and ‘Summer Love’. Horan was a member of One Direction since the formation of the band.

Niall James Horan was born in Mullingar Co Westmeath in 1993. He was educated locally and interested in music from a young age. Horan competed in the television show the X Factor at the age of 16. He did not succeed as solo act but was later signed with four other contestants by Simon Cowell to form One Direction.

Following its formation in 2010 One Direction recorded its first album Up All Night. The album became a best seller in Great Britain and Ireland in 2011 and in the US in 2012. Horan continued to tour with One Direction which later recorded hit albums such as Take Me Home and Midnight memories. It was announced in September 2016 that Niall Horan had begun a solo career.

Niall Horan who is best known as a member of the band One Direction, was born in the year 1993 On This Day.