That time is coming for us all to don our ugly, green argyle socks. If you don’t, little green leprechauns will be pinching your arm all day. Did you know St. Patrick’s favorite color was actually blue? In early depictions, he is pictured with a blue cloak, the blue color dates back to early Irish mythology, the blue color depicted Irish sovereignty. It was later that people began to resent exclusively blue colors to represent them. When the Irish flag was drawn up, they chose green, because Ireland is called the Emerald Isle, and the green color became a symbol of national pride.
Sunday Bloody Sunday, was first penned and composed by John Lennon in 1972, after British soldiers opened fire on unarmed protestors who were decrying the incredibly unfair and politically charged policies of internment of any Irish suspected of Irish Nationalism. Prior to and even after this, much British and Irish blood alike had been shed over the freedom of the Irish State; an endless battle fought for dominance in Western Europe. When it started and who started it can’t be tracked.
It was U2’s 1983 composition by the same name, whose performance expressed the sentiment well and became more popular,
I can’t believe the news today
Oh, I can’t close my eyes and make it go away.
How long? How long must we sing this song?
How long? How long?
Patrick O’Donnell
I’m Irish, which means half of our family is named Patrick. I have a brother, uncle and cousin name Patrick Doherty. Patrick O’Donnell, from Donegal, Ireland, was my great grandmother’s cousin. He impacted the history of Donegal, eventually hung for his role in the controversy in 1883. If you’ve ever done any research into your family history, you’ll likely find some significant public figures who shaped history. Such is the case with Patrick O’Donnell.
As a young man, Patrick left his family and emigrated to America when he was 16, his family fled Ireland to escape British oppression. Ireland was still reeling from the economic impact of the An Gorta Mor famine in 1845. His uncle lived in Pennsylvania, but instead of going directly to them, he went to Brooklyn and worked as an elevator attendant. After moving several times, he eventually rejoined his uncle and cousins.
One cousin was married to the alleged king of the ‘Molly Maguires’, fighting for improved working conditions in the harsh, Pennsylvania mining industry. Patrick’s family were key members of the Maguires and involved in some of the most audacious acts of sabotage, even guilty of the murder of Thomas Sanger and William Urin, in revenge for the perceived ill treatment of the Molly Maguires in the mining industry.
The mine owners were determined to break up the band of rebels and were known for their lawlessness. Resorting to murder was not uncommon, and on December 10, 1875, a group of masked men attacked Patrick’s home and family. His cousins Charles and Ellen were killed. This was later referred to as the Wiggins Patch Massacre. Patrick escaped, though now he understood his life was in danger. He knew he had to leave Pennsylvania. He decided to try his luck in the diamond and gold mines in South Africa. But first, he determined to go back to Donegal and see his mother and brother.
The Phoenix Park Massacres.
Burke, the British Undersecretary of Ireland, though Irish himself, had made himself an enemy of the Irish nationalists. He had been heavily involved in the draconian restrictions placed on the Land League, under which, landlords could accuse farmers of crime and have them sentenced to death without trial. These measures were not implemented in Wales, or Scotland.
The investigation of the murders pointed to a band of Irish rebels named the ‘Invincibles’ led by assassin James Carey, who turned the identity of the murderers over to the authorities to save his own skin. As a result, 8 men were arrested, and 5 others were hanged in what became known as Phoenix Park Massacres.
Now, Carey had betrayed his Irish brethren, he walked a thin line, as he was still considered an enemy of the British authorities. He decided to move himself and his seven children to South Africa. Under protection of the British guard his wife and 5 children took a ship from London, traveling under his wife’s maiden name, ‘Powers’. Here the destinies of O’Donnell and Carey merged as they boarded the same ship for Dartmouth.
James and Patrick became fast friends on their voyage to Cape Town, where they docked and went into town for drinks. Carey’s tongue quickly loosened up under the influence of alcohol, and Patrick soon learned of Carey’s true identity as he began ranting against British injustice. He even pulled a revolver on some English patrons, and a brawl broke out. At this point the bar tender recognized him, and showed another of the passengers who he was, and was able to produce a Dublin Freeman article which alleged his treason, and even had an illustration of Carey’s likeness. When the passenger showed Patrick the article, Patrick responded without emotion “I’ll shoot him.”
Carey’s betrayal was felt by all Irish nationals, and especially Patrick after seeing so many of the injustices done by the mine owners, and the murders of his own family members. Carey was a betrayer of the Irish state.
Back on board the Melrose on July 29th 1883, Carey was unaware that his cover was blown. He played cards with O Donnell, when suddenly the card table was overturned, O’Donnell produced a revolver he had smuggled on board, and shot Carey in the neck, Carey turned to escape, and O’Donnell shot him in the back as Carey’s wife came out into the room. He offered Mrs. Carey his hand and is alleged to have said to her “I’m sorry, I had to do it.”
O’Donnell was arrested and placed in prison in Port Elizabeth, while James Carey was buried. In Ireland, the death of James Carey, a betrayer to Irish Nationalism was celebrated. Demonstrations in support of O’Donnell were held across Ireland.
memorial was erected in Glasnevin cemetery
Despite the politically charged nature of the case, and that public opinion was on the side of O’Donnell, he was found guilty of the murder, and was hanged in London December 17, 1883.
U2 put it well:
The real battle just begun (Sunday, Bloody Sunday)
To claim the victory Jesus won (Sunday, Bloody Sunday)
When we take retribution into our own hands we are out on the battlefield, fighting the fight that Jesus already won. We can feel the emotional impulse and rationalize that it is justified, but doing this is a rejection of the sacrifice that Jesus already made. The victory has been won. We are focused on settling scores, but vengeance is His.