07 September-Brian Cody

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Kilkenny became All-Ireland senior hurling champions for the 36th time when they defeated Galway at Croke Park in Dublin on September 6th 2015. In 2016 Kilkenny once again reached the All-Ireland final but were defeated by Tipperary. Of their 36 Championship wins to date, Kilkenny have won eleven of those under the management of Brian Cody. Having managed Kilkenny for eighteen seasons Cody is now the longest serving manager in the country. He is widely regarded as the greatest hurling team manager of all time.

Brian Cody was born in Sheestown near Kilkenny City on July 12th 1954. He was educated at the local primary school and at St Kieran’s College in Kilkenny City. Following completion of second level education Cody qualified as a primary school teacher from St Patricks College in Dublin. He returned to teach in his native Kilkenny.

Brian Cody won his first All-Ireland medal as captain of the St Kieran’s College senior team in 1971. During his playing career with County Kilkenny Cody won one All-Ireland medal at minor level, two at under-21 level and three at senior level. He also won Leinster, National League and Railway Cup medals. Cody retired from inter-county hurling in 1985 and later became involved in team management and coaching with his club, James Stephens. He was appointed manager of the Kilkenny senior hurling team on November 16th 1998 an since then has led Kilkenny to unprecedented success both at provincial and national level.

His outstanding success as a manager has led to Brian Cody being given several awards. These include, Philips Sports Manager of the Year in 2003, Freedom of Kilkenny City in 2008, Honorary Doctorate from University College Cork in 2012 and Honorary Doctorate from Dublin City University in 2012.

Brian Cody, manager of the Kilkenny Senior Hurling team, was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Arts by University College Cork (UCC) in the year 2012 On This Day.

Photo by Florian Christoph

Hurling action by Florian Christoph on 2014-09-27 16:40:33

Photo by EoinGardiner

Kilkenny Ballet by EoinGardiner on 2014-08-10 14:26:42

31 August-Frederick Douglass

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A plaque was unveiled in Imperial Hotel, Cork in 2012 to commemorate visit of Frederick Douglas to Cork City, Ireland in 1845. Frederick Douglass was an African-American who escaped from slavery in the state of Maryland. Following his escape Douglass became a leader of the abolitionist movement in America.

Frederick Douglass escaped from slavery on September 3rd 1838. He travelled first to New York and later settled in Massachusetts. In the years following his escape he travelled the northern states to speak at rallies demanding the abolition of slavery.

In 1845 Douglass visited Ireland, where he met Daniel O Connell. He gave lectures, which were very popular, in several locations across Ireland. In a letter to the abolitionist William Garrison, Douglass wrote: I have travelled almost from the hill of Howth to the Giant’s Causeway and from the Giant’s Causeway to Cape Clear.

During his travels Douglass spoke at meetings in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Belfast, Wexford and Waterford. He described the great sense of freedom which he felt while visiting Ireland. “I am covered with the soft, grey fog of the Emerald Isle. I breathe, and lo! The chattel becomes a man. I gaze around in vain for one who will question my equal humanity, claim me as his slave, or offer me an insult”.

When he visited Cork City Frederick Douglas stayed at the Imperial Hotel. A plaque commemorating his stay was unveiled at the Imperial Hotel in the year 2012 On This Day.

Photo by New York Public Library

[Statue of Frederick Douglass.] by New York Public Library on 2009-10-07 09:57:05

Waterford City Hall photo

Frederick Douglass

Photo by Marion Doss

20 May-Robin Gibb of The Bee Gees

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Robin Gibb together with his brothers Maurice and Barry formed the pop group The Bee Gees. The group, which was formed in 1958, became one of the world’s best-selling and most successful music groups of all time.

Robin Hugh Gibb CBE and his twin brother Maurice were born on December 22nd 1949 in Douglas Isle of Man. When Robin and Maurice was four years old the Gibb family moved to Manchester. Always interested in music and singing, the Gibb brothers, including older brother Barry, began performing in public from an early age. Following the formation of the Bee Gees, Robin played keyboards and acoustic guitar

The Bee Gees had their first international hit in 1967. During the 1970’s they enjoyed success with songs such as ‘Staying Alive’ and ‘How Deep Is Your Love’. The three brothers continued to record and perform until Maurice died in 2003.

Robin Gibb, of the music group The Bee Gees, died in London at the age of 62 in the year 2012 On This Day.