[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":7},["ShallowReactive",2],{"day-excerpts-may-11":3},{"battle-of-fontenoy":4,"john-dillons-plea-for-easter-rising-rebels":5,"death-of-sen-lemass":6},"On May 11, 1745, the Battle of Fontenoy took place near Fontenoy, Belgium, during the War of the Austrian Succession. A French army, including the renowned Irish Brigade, fought against an Anglo-Dutch-Hanoverian force. The Irish Brigade, serving in the French army, played a crucial role in securing a decisive victory for the French. Their charge against the British infantry was particularly impactful, turning the tide of the battle. This event is often remembered in Irish nationalist tradition as a moment of significant military prowess for Irish soldiers serving abroad.","On May 11, 1916, Irish politician John Dillon made a passionate plea in the British House of Commons regarding the treatment of the Easter Rising rebels. While acknowledging the rebels' actions were 'wrong,' he emphasized that they had 'fought a clean fight.' Dillon argued against further executions, warning that the harsh penalties were fueling Irish nationalism and turning public opinion in favor of the rebels. His intervention is credited with helping to halt the executions of some of the remaining leaders, though James Connolly and Seán Mac Diarmada were executed the following day.","Seán Lemass, a prominent Irish nationalist and former Taoiseach (Prime Minister) of Ireland, died in Dublin on May 11, 1971. Lemass had a distinguished career, fighting under Michael Collins in the Irish War of Independence and later aligning with the anti-treaty side during the Irish Civil War. He was a founding member of Fianna Fáil in 1926 and served as Minister for Supplies during World War II. As Taoiseach from 1959 to 1966, he is widely credited with modernizing the Irish economy and fostering a new era of economic growth and social change.",1789333832155]