seamus dubhghaill

Promoting Irish Culture and History from Little Rock, Arkansas, USA

Category Archives: Free State & Republic (1922-Present)


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The First Heart Transplant Takes Place in Ireland

On September 10, 1985, the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital in Phibsborough, Dublin, performs Ireland’s first heart transplant, marking a landmark moment in Irish medicine. The pioneering operation is carried out by Dr. Maurice Neligan and Professor Freddie Wood, who recognise the need to bring this life-saving procedure to Ireland at a time when heart transplantation is still in its infancy and available only in a handful of global centres.

The transplant is a bold step, as the long-term survival of such patients is unknown. The Mater’s National Centre for Heart and Lung Transplants has since performed 447 life-saving heart transplants, transforming the lives of nearly 500 patients. The success of the first case lays the foundation for a programme that has endured for four decades and remains Ireland’s national heart transplant centre.

One of the earliest recipients is Andy Kavanagh of Coolock, Dublin, who undergoes his transplant in 1986 at the age of 19 after being diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, a condition that weakens the heart muscle. What began as a flu-like illness rapidly deteriorates, leaving him with little chance of survival. His donor, David Russell, dies in 1986 after being struck by a drunk driver. Today, Kavanagh is one of the longest-surviving heart transplant patients in the world, living a full, active life and raising his grandchildren.

The Mater’s transplant programme has evolved over the years, introducing advanced therapies such as durable left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) in 2009 and specialist care for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in severe heart or lung failure. These innovations have expanded treatment options for patients with advanced heart disease.

The 1985 surgery is not just a medical milestone — it is a testament to the courage of organ donors and their families, whose generosity has made modern transplantation possible. As Professor Emer Joyce notes, “For many patients, organ donation is their only hope.”

Today, the Mater continues to celebrate this historic day, honouring the pioneering surgeons and the patients whose lives have been transformed by one of Ireland’s most significant medical achievements.

(Pictured: Freddie Wood (left) with the late Eoin O’Malley and Ita Green help perform the first heart transplant surgery in Ireland on September 10, 1985)


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Anti-Treaty Irish Republican Army Captures Kenmare

On September 9, 1922, eighty-four Anti-Treaty Irish Republican Army (IRA) fighters capture Kenmare in County Kerry, killing local pro-Treaty officers and seizing National Army troops and arms, marking a major republican victory in the Irish Civil War.

By early September 1922, the Irish Civil War has already seen the Irish Free State forces secure most large towns in County Kerry following seaborne landings in August, but rural areas and towns like Kenmare remain under republican control. The IRA has retreated to the hills after abandoning other towns, preparing for guerrilla operations. Kenmare becomes a focal point for one of the largest republican offensives in the county.

On September 9, anti-Treaty fighters launch a coordinated attack on Kenmare. During the assault, they capture 120 National Army troops, later releasing them, and seize 110 rifles and 20,000 rounds of ammunition, significantly bolstering their resources. The attack also results in the killing of local pro-Treaty officer Tom “Scarteen” O’Connor and his brother after they are taken prisoner, highlighting the lethal intensity of the conflict.

The capture of Kenmare is a major tactical victory for the IRA, allowing anti-Treaty forces to maintain a stronghold in County Kerry and continue a guerrilla campaign for the remainder of the war. It demonstrates the resilience of republican forces despite the Irish Free State’s earlier successes and foreshadows the brutal guerrilla warfare that follows in County Kerry, including ambushes, executions, and widespread disruption to civilian life.

Following the attack, the IRA continues to operate effectively in County Kerry, using Kenmare as a base for further operations. The event contributes to the prolonged and violent nature of the Irish Civil War in County Kerry, which becomes notorious for its intensity and the high number of fatalities compared to other counties. The battle also exemplifies the personal and local dimensions of the conflict, with targeted killings and the capture of troops reflecting the deep divisions within Irish society at the time.

The September 9 attack on Kenmare remains a key episode in the history of the Irish Civil War, illustrating both the strategic and human costs of the conflict in County Kerry.

(Pictured: Main Street in Kenmare, County Kerry, September 1922)


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Abduction & Murder of IRA Captain Timothy Kennefick

On September 8, 1922, Captain Timothy Kennefick, a prominent anti‑Treaty Irish Republican Army (IRA) officer from Cork, County Cork, is abducted from his home in Blackpool, Cork, by Irish Free State troops. He is returning to Cork from Ballingeary by motor car, having left his family to attend his mother’s funeral.

According to contemporary reports, Kennefick is arrested by National Army (Free State) forces while en route. Accounts from later commemorations describe a particularly brutal treatment: he is dragged behind the back of a Free State truck with his hands tied, then beaten with rifle butts to the face and body, losing several teeth and suffering severe wounds. He is shot twice in the head and his body is dumped in a ditch or field near Nadrid, Coachford, County Cork.

Kennefick’s death is confirmed the same day, with two bullet wounds found on his body. The incident draws widespread revulsion at the time for its brutality. Kennefick, who had served as a lieutenant in the Cork No. 1 Brigade during the Irish War of Independence and as a company signaller in the Cork No. 5 Brigade during the Irish Civil War, is buried four days later in the Republican Plot at St. Finbarr’s Cemetery in Cork.

Kennefick’s funeral is described as of “large dimensions,” with comrades carrying his coffin through the streets of Cork. He is remembered as a popular local figure, a barman by occupation, and a dedicated IRA leader who had joined the Irish Volunteers in 1917.

Today, a Celtic Cross memorial near Coachford commemorates his death, and annual commemorations are held to honour his memory.

(Pictured: Timothy Kennefick, around 1920. Photo credit: Tony McCarthy)


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Costello Announces That the Irish Free State Will Become a Republic

On September 7, 1948, Taoiseach John A. Costello makes a surprise announcement in Ottawa that the Irish Free State will become a republic and sever all remaining dominion ties with Great Britain. This comes after months of political maneuvering and public debate over Ireland’s constitutional status.

The Executive Authority (External Relations) Act 1936 has removed most internal references to the Crown but retains a symbolic role for the British monarch in Ireland’s external relations. This is Ireland’s last formal link to the British Commonwealth. Éamon de Valera has long argued that the Act provides a diplomatic “umbrella” for resolving Anglo-Irish disputes, including Northern Ireland’s status.

By 1947, de Valera’s government has begun drafting legislation to repeal the Act. Initially, the bill does not mention a republic, but by January 1948 it includes a reference to the state as a republic. Costello, as Taoiseach, introduces the bill in November 1948, citing irritation over the British invitation to King George VI to open the Canadian Parliament — seen as a slight to Irish sovereignty.

On September 7, 1948, Costello tells reporters in Ottawa that Ireland will repeal the External Relations Act, thereby ending the Crown’s role in Irish external affairs. The British government is not informed until a month later, and relations remain cordial until Ireland formally leaves the Commonwealth in April 1949.

The Republic of Ireland Act 1948 is passed by the Oireachtas in December 1948 and signed by President Seán T. O’Kelly on December 21, 1948. It repeals the External Relations Act 1936, declares the state’s description as the Republic of Ireland and vests executive power in the President for external relations on the advice of the Government. The Act takes effect on April 18, 1949 (Easter Monday), marking the symbolic completion of Ireland’s transition from dominion to republic.

The Parliament of the United Kingdom passes the Ireland Act 1949, acknowledging Ireland’s new status, preserving Northern Ireland’s constitutional position, and maintaining rights of Irish citizens in Britain. This ensures continuity in trade, travel, and citizenship without major disruption.

The significance of the 1948–1949 process is a definitive assertion of Irish sovereignty, aligning Ireland’s legal framework with its de facto republican governance. It ends the last constitutional vestige of the British monarchy in Ireland and marks Ireland’s formal departure from the Commonwealth.

(Pictured: Taoiseach John Aloysius Costello)


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Fahy Decries That Free State Passports Must Be Issued in Britain

On September 6, 1929, diplomat John V. Fahy criticizes the administrative requirement that Irish Free State passports in the United States be issued via Britain, highlighting early challenges in the Irish Free State’s foreign affairs and consular administration.

Following the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922, the new state faces significant administrative and diplomatic challenges. One such issue involves the issuance of passports to Irish citizens abroad, particularly in the United States. Despite Ireland’s independence, Irish Free State passports have to be processed through Britain, reflecting lingering complexities in recognition and administrative capacity.

At this time, questions of citizenship are intertwined with the status of Irish citizens as British subjects, and the British Foreign Office insists that passports clearly indicate whether holders are considered British subjects. This creates practical difficulties for the Irish government, which seeks to assert its sovereignty and provide proper documentation to its citizens internationally.

John V. Fahy, an Irish diplomat stationed in the United States, documents his concerns in a memorandum noting that the requirement to route passports through Britain is problematic. The memorandum decries the lack of an independent Irish passport issuance process in the United States, emphasizing the tension between Ireland’s formal independence and the residual administrative dependence on Britain. This memorandum reflects both the everyday bureaucratic hurdles faced by the Free State and the broader issue of Irish identity and sovereignty in international affairs.

Fahy’s memorandum is historically important for several reasons. It illustrates the early difficulties the Irish Free State faces in exercising full consular authority overseas. It highlights the ongoing legal ambiguities surrounding Irish citizenship and the status of Irish Free State passport holders during this period. It provides insight into diplomatic pressures on the emerging Irish state as it navigates recognition and procedural independence from Britain.

In summary, John V. Fahy’s memorandum serves as a notable record of the challenges that confronts Irish diplomats and administrators in asserting the Free State’s sovereignty and managing the practicalities of international travel in the early years of Ireland’s independence.


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U.S. President Bill Clinton Becomes a Freeman of Limerick

On September 5, 1998, United States President Bill Clinton becomes a Freeman of Limerick, following in the footsteps of John F. Kennedy, who had received the honor in 1963. The ceremony marks the last day of Clinton’s official visit to Ireland, which had begun earlier in the month and included stops in Dublin, Adare, Limerick, and Kerry.

Clinton’s 1998 trip is part of a broader “homecoming” for Irish Americans, with both he and First Lady Hillary Clinton visiting Omagh, County Tyrone, just a month after the devastating Omagh car bombing. The visit is widely anticipated and is met with enthusiastic public reception.

On September 5, thousands gather on O’Connell Street to hear Clinton speak to an estimated 40,000 people. His address references the Good Friday Agreement and the peace process, saying: “Because of what you have done in Ireland in 1998, you have made it possible for me to tell every warring, feuding hating group of people trapped in the prison of their past conflicts to look at Ireland and know there can be a better day.”

The speech is broadcast worldwide and is delivered during a period when Clinton is facing political challenges in the United States, but he is still held in high esteem in Ireland for his role in the Northern Ireland peace process.

By being granted the Freedom of the City of Limerick, Clinton joins a distinguished list of U.S. presidents honored by Irish cities, underscoring the strong ties between the United States and Ireland. The visit and ceremony are symbolic of reconciliation, mutual respect, and the shared history of Irish Americans in U.S. politics.

In short, September 5, 1998, is both a personal milestone for Clinton and a moment of national and international significance, blending political diplomacy with public celebration.


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Van Morrison Inducted Into Hot Press Irish Music Hall of Fame

Rock legend Van Morrison becomes the first inductee into the Hot Press Irish Music Hall of Fame in Dublin on September 1, 1999. The honour is presented at a special ceremony hosted by poet Brendan Kennelly, with countryman Bob Geldof delivering the tribute. Morrison, 54 at the time, performs at the event, showcasing his signature blend of soul, jazz, and rock.

The Hot Press Irish Music Hall of Fame is created to celebrate and preserve the best of Irish musical talent over decades, from traditional acts like Christy Moore and The Dubliners to modern icons such as U2, Boyzone, and Ash. It is based around a new multimedia exhibition in Dublin city centre, highlighting the history and development of Irish rock and pop.

Morrison, born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, is widely regarded as Ireland’s greatest living legend. Hall of Fame director Niall Stokes, the editor of Hot Press, praises him as a “multi-talented creative force” with an “astonishing body of work of great depth and beauty.” Geldof calls him “the only genius in Irish music.”

This induction marks Morrison’s first major honour in Ireland, though he has already been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1993. The Hot Press Irish Music Hall of Fame is distinct from the U.S. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which has been operating since 1983.

The 1999 induction cements Morrison’s status not only as a global rock icon but also as a defining figure in Irish music history. It is a milestone moment for the Hall of Fame, setting the stage for future inductees chosen by a panel of industry experts.


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Birth of Professional Golfer Pádraig Harrington

Pádraig Peter Harrington, one of the most accomplished professional golfers in history, is born in Dublin on August 31, 1971.

Raised in Rathfarnham, a suburb of Dublin, Harrington grows up in a sports‑oriented family — his father, Patrick Harrington, is a Gaelic footballer, boxer, and amateur golfer with a five‑handicap. He attends Coláiste Éanna secondary school and studies accountancy, balancing academics with a passion for golf.

Harrington begins playing golf with his family at age five and develops his skills at nearby Stackstown Golf Club. As an amateur, he represents Great Britain and Ireland in the Walker Cup three times (1991, 1993, 1995), winning the 1995 edition. He turns professional in 1995 at the age of 24, quickly winning the Peugeot Spanish Open in 1996.

Harrington has won 43 professional tournaments across the PGA European Tour, PGA Tour, Japan Golf Tour, Asian Tour, and PGA Tour Champions. His career highlights include: three major championships (the 2007 and 2008 Open Championship and the 2008 PGA Championship). He is the winner of the European Tour Order of Merit in 2006 and PGA Tour Player of the Year in 2008. He is a member of six consecutive Ryder Cup teams (1999–2010), winning four (2002, 2004, 2006, 2010). He reaches his career‑high world ranking of No. 3 in July 2008. In October 2024, he wins the inaugural Simmons Bank Championship at Pleasant Valley Country Club in the author’s hometown of Little Rock, Arkansas.

In 2024, Harrington is inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame, cementing his status as one of golf’s legends. Known for his meticulous play and consistency, he remains a respected figure in the sport, with a net worth estimated at around $40 million.

In summary, born on August 31, 1971, in Dublin, Pádraig Harrington’s career spans over three decades, marked by major wins, Ryder Cup success, and Hall of Fame recognition, making him a defining name in modern golf.


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Six Free State Soldiers Killed in Three Separate Ambushes

On August 29, 1922, six Irish Free State soldiers are killed in three separate ambushes, reflecting the intense and deadly engagements of the early Irish Civil War period.

The Irish Civil War (June 1922 – May 1923) erupts following the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty in 1921, which creates the Irish Free State. Pro-Treaty forces, forming the National Army, clash with anti-Treaty Irish Republican Army (IRA) elements refusing to accept the Treaty. This conflict includes both conventional and guerrilla phases, with August 1922 marking the end of the conventional campaign as Free State forces advance to secure towns in the south and southwest.

On this day, six Free State soldiers are killed in three distinct ambushes. Two soldiers died in Tullamore, County Offaly, one in Macroom, County Cork, and two in an ambush and firefight between Killorglin and Tralee, County Kerry. In Tullamore, Lieutenant Matthew Cullen of the 3rd Southern Division is fatally shot near Bonaterrin Hill, while Lieutenant Leahy is seriously wounded in the same attack. These ambushes are carried out by anti-Treaty forces and demonstrate the difficulties the National Army faces while attempting to secure supply routes and rural areas, even after major towns have fallen under Free State control.

These casualties underscore the dangers posed by guerrilla tactics, including ambushes, during the Irish Civil War. Free State soldiers are often young and inexperienced, and many fatalities occur in such rural confrontations. Despite these losses, the Free State maintains strategic momentum, continuing the offensive that eventually consolidates the new government’s control.

Overall, the Irish Civil War results in roughly 1,426 deaths in the Free State counties, with the National Army sustaining substantial casualties in actions like these ambushes. The conflict’s fatal events, including Tullamore on August 29, illustrate both the human cost of the war and the localized intensity of battles beyond major urban centers.

In summary, August 29, 1922, represents a notable moment in Irish Civil War history, highlighting the lethal impact of ambushes on Free State forces and the challenges of combatting anti-Treaty operations in rural Ireland. These events contribute to the broader struggle to establish the Irish Free State’s authority.

(Pictured: Irish Free State Army, 1922)


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Anti-Treaty IRA Ambush Near Glenflesk, County Kerry

Anti-Treaty Irish Republican Army (IRA) units carry out an ambush of Free State troops near Glenflesk, County Kerry, on August 27, 1922, as part of the broader Irish Civil War conflict between the pro-Treaty National Army and the anti-Treaty “Irregulars.”

By mid-August 1922, the Irish Free State, under Michael Collins, has launched a decisive offensive to re-take towns and strongholds in the south and west. The anti-Treaty IRA, led by figures such as Liam Lynch, has been holding areas like County Cork, County Limerick, and much of County Kerry, including Killarney, in defiance of the Anglo-Irish Treaty. The Free State’s campaign aims to consolidate control over the territory and end the conventional phase of the war.

The ambush at Glenflesk is one of several IRA actions in County Kerry during this period. It occurs as Free State forces advance in the west, seeking to secure supply lines and isolate remaining anti-Treaty strongholds. The Anti-Treaty IRA, using guerrilla tactics, targets convoys and patrols to disrupt Free State operations.

While the exact casualty figures for this specific engagement are not detailed in the available records, such ambushes are part of a wider pattern of republican resistance. In County Kerry alone, Free State forces suffer multiple engagements in August, including a sniper kill at Tralee and ambushes on supply columns.

The Glenflesk ambush reflects the shift from conventional warfare to mobile, hit-and-run tactics by the anti-Treaty IRA after the Free State’s conventional offensives begin. County Kerry remains a contested area, with Killarney and surrounding towns serving as republican bases. Ambushes like this one aim to delay Free State advances and protect supply routes. While the Free State’s overall campaign succeeds in capturing major towns by late August, such ambushes prolong the conflict and keep republican forces active until the “dump arms” order in 1923.

In summary, the Glenflesk ambush of August 27, 1922, is a localized but significant IRA resistance action in County Kerry, emblematic of the guerrilla warfare that follows the Free State’s conventional offensives and contributes to the prolonged nature of the Irish Civil War.

(Pictured: Michael Collins (left) and Liam Lynch (right))