Life springs from death and from the graves of patriot men and women spring living nations. . . . They think that they have pacified Ireland. They think that they have purchased half of us and intimidated the other half. They think that they have foreseen everything, think they have provided against everything; but the fools, the fools, the fools, they have left us our Fenian dead, and while Ireland holds these graves Ireland unfree shall never be at peace. --Patrick Henry Pearse
On April 16, 1871 -- John Millington Synge was born. One of the leading dramatists of the Irish Renaissance, Synge wrote plays dealing with the lives of western Ireland's peasants. His most famous plays include Of the Western World and Rivers to the Sea, which is set in the Aran Islands.
The original Waterford Crystal factory was founded in 1783 by George and William Penrose and it enjoyed great success for many years. However, it was closed in 1851 and it was not until 1947 that a new factory was opened. Since that time, Waterford Crystal is once again world famous.
Founded in 1857, the Belleek Pottery Company is world famous for its pearly colored china known as parian ware. Visitors to the small village of Belleek can visit a museum dedicated to the company.
On June 13, 1865 -- William Butler Yeats was born. One of the greatest poets of the 20th century, Yeats' poetry dealt with themes of art, irish nationalism, and the occult, among other things. Among his many poems, his most famous would include Sailing the Byzantium, Leda and the Swan, and Crazy Jane on God. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in literature in 1923.
Belfast became the world capital for the manufacturing of linen during the 16th and 17th centuries, when damask linen was brought to Belfast by Huguenot refugees fleeing french persecution. Today, Ireland remains world famous for its linen.
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Irish Music
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Human Rights
