📖 Ancient Restoration

800 year old carving: Adoration of the Magi on the west gable of St. Declan's Cathedral in Ardmore, Co. Waterford.

‘This island will gradually yield to the ruthlessness of "progress" that decaying age is moving always nearer How much of Ireland was formerly like this and how much of Ireland is today Anglicised and brutalised?" JM. Synge, Aran Islands (1907)

Today is Nollaig na mBan (Women's Christmas) celebrated in Ireland. A day of rest for the matriarch, it's marked by wives, mothers and lady friends gathering for a party. They can expect gifts from the children and a day of husbands tending the household work.

Cumann na mBan. A nation without the support of its women lacks the backbone needed for revolution. #NollaignamBan

Madeleine French Mullen was a Malta born, Irish revolutionary, political & humanitarian activist. She helped workers during the 1913 Dublin Lock-Out, joined the ICA & fought in the 1916 Rising as a Lieutenant in the Royal College of Surgeons. #NollaignamBan

"They stand for the honour of Ireland, As their sisters in days that are gone - They, the soldiers of the Cumann na mBan!" #loyal #sisters

On This Day 1603: The end in Munster. English attacked the MacCarthys in Carbery. Leading English routed but a cavalry charge forced the Irish back. Owen MacEgan, bishop of Ross led the counter charge with beads and breviary in hand but was shot down, breaking Irish morale #nineyearswar

On This Day 1920 Major John MacKinnon, "the Scourge of Tralee" shot two IRA Volunteers (John Leen & Maurice Reidy ) in Mrs Byrne's home. MacKinnon then burned her house down as a warning to all. Mackinnon was shot in April while playing golf on the third green.

On This Day 1920 Major John MacKinnon, "the Scourge of Tralee" shot two IRA Volunteers (John Leen & Maurice Reidy ) in Mrs Byrne's home. MacKinnon then burned her house down as a warning to all. Mackinnon was shot in April while playing golf on the third green.

On This Day 1824: Death in Paris of William Lawless, Dublin-born surgeon & important member of the Society of the United Irishmen. After being wanted in Ireland, he escaped to France where he was appointed captain of the Irish Legion. Napoleon decorated him…