From the Presidents Podium

From the

President’s Podium

- AUGUST 2005 -

Well here we are into the throws of summer and the middle of July. A lot of members must be on vacation, as the July meeting was lightly attended.

There are some developments in and about the division that you should know about:

1) Father James J. Byrnes, our divisional Chaplain, with the closing of his parish, North American Martyrs (in Florissant) has been transferred to “Our Lady of Lourdes Church (address: 1014 Madison Avenue/Washington Missouri – 63090-4806/ toll free from St. Louis; 636 /938-9070) The Padre was AT THE July meeting—“Hey, its only 50 miles one way. Not too bad”!! We’ll see if he says “it’s not too bad” in December/January!! BUT that IS dedication to the division! Many others could take notice!!

2) We have been approached by members of St. Peter & Paul Church (south 7th street in Soulard neighborhood) about joining a “partnership” with the church and helping them raise some $265,000 for repairs on the church. The Archbishop has given them 3 years to get the work done. This will be discussed in length at the August meeting!!

3) Beginning on Saturday September 10th, and for 10 consecutive Saturdays, there will be a Language course (level 1—learners/beginners) taught by a Dennis Corcoran at St. Louis Community College at Forrest Park campus. See the letter & registration application in this edition of the newsletter.

4) On Saturday August 6th, there will be a “fundraiser and auction” to benefit our division brother, Jim Wahl at CBC. PLEASE see the flyer in this newsletter. As division “brothers” of Jim Wahl, we REALLY need to turn out and support this effort for Jim and his family!!!

5) Do not forget the St. Louis City County Board meeting on Tuesday, August 9th—details are in the “Upcoming Events” section.

Well I guess that about covers it for this edition. Summer is vacation time and even with the high gas prices, that has not deterred Americans from hitting the road and traveling. If you are traveling this summer, please drive with care we want to see you all again.

One closing item—Jim Wahl was at the July division meeting, and is getting around without being in the wheel chair. He still “hobbles” a little, but it is so wonderful to see the progress he is making. Remember him, please in your prayers!!

This information is brought to you off of the pages of “The Wild Geese Today” PLEASE go to their website and see what they have to offer www.thewildgeese.com It’s a wonderful website!!!

MÁIRT -- On July 12, 1691, the Jacobite army in Ireland fights the forces of William of Orange at the battle of Aughrim. Although the battle of the Boyne fought a year earlier is seen by many today as decisive, the Jacobite army was still a grave threat to William's domination of Ireland. Far from beaten, the Jacobites controlled a large portion of Ireland in the southwest. William's forces that day were commanded by Dutchman Baron Godert de Ginkel, the Jacobites by Frenchman Marquis Saint-Ruth. After initially having his infantry stopped cold, Ginkel's cavalry battered the Jacobite's left flank. At this same moment, Saint-Ruth was decapitated by a cannon ball, and this added demoralization contributed to the rout that followed.

Sarsfield's cavalrymen, held in reserve through most of the battle, did their best to cover the retreat, but they suffered massive casualties. As the Jacobites retreated toward Limerick, their cause in Ireland was in desperate trouble. After the defeat at the Boyne, the Jacobites had still been a threat to attack. After Aughrim, that threat was removed, and the Jacobites would spend the rest of the war under siege.

CÉADAOIN -- From July 13 to 16, 1863, one of the more regrettable incidents related to Irish-American history occurs --the New York City Draft Riots. The cry of "rich man's war, poor man's fight" was the cry of many in the Northern states. Fueled by an understandable anger at a draft that allowed rich men to buy their way out, worried that the eventual emancipation of blacks would rob them of their jobs, and egged on by some politicians and Southern agents, many Irish participated in rioting that engulfed the city two days after the draft began. Through the years the story has been told as if only Irish rioted, but in fact many besides the Irish took part, and many Irish policemen, fireman, priests and trade unionists were among the most influential in quelling them. Still, it cannot be denied -- a large number of Irish did participate in the burning of a black orphanage and murder of blacks in the city. This unfortunate episode left a lasting stain on the reputation of New York's Irish community.

DEARDAOIN -- On July 14, 1798, brothers John and Henry Sheares, both lawyers and United Irishmen, are executed in Dublin. Sons of a wealthy banker and member of the Irish Parliament, the brothers visited France together in 1792 and there acquired their revolutionary republican principles. They joined the United Irishmen on their return to Dublin and John began to write articles for the Press, a nationalist paper. They were betrayed by an informer, Capt. John Armstrong, and arrested May 21. Found guilty of treason, they were publicly hung outside Newgate Prison in Dublin. Both are buried at Dublin's St. Michan's Church

July – Iúil 11, 1879 - Hugh Kennedy (First Chief Justice of the Irish Free State - Dublin.)

14, 1830 - Richard Henry Jackson (Union General - Kennegad, Co. Westmeath) 15, 1899 - Sean Lemass (Politician - Ballybrack, Co. Dublin) 17, 1846 - John Mclure (Fenian) near Manhattan

12, 1734 - James Fitzjames, the Marshal, Duke of Berwick, illegitimate son of James II and officer in the Irish Brigade of France, is killed at the siege of Philipsburg.

12, 1849 -30 Catholics killed in rioting after Orange Order march through Dolly's Brae near Castlewellan.

12, 1998 - In the early morning hours Quinn brothers Richard, 11, Mark, 10, and Jason 9, are burned to death by a Loyalist firebomb in Ballymoney, 40 miles northwest of Belfast.

14, 1969 - First death of the troubles, a 70-year-old farmer is struck in a melee outside an Orange Hall in Dungiven, Co. Derry. He was probably just an onlooker.

17, 1690 - Williamite forces begin an unsuccessful siege of the town of Athlone, where Col. Richard Grace commands Irish forces.

17, 1798 - Henry Joy McCracken, United Irishman, executed in Belfast.United Irishmen John and Henry Sheares executed.