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May 2

1882
Politics

May 2, 1882

Charles Stewart Parnell released under Kilmainham Treaty

On May 2, 1882, Charles Stewart Parnell, a prominent Irish nationalist politician, was released from Kilmainham Gaol under the terms of the Kilmainham Treaty. This agreement, reached between Parnell and the British government, aimed to resolve the ongoing land agitation in Ireland. Parnell's release was a significant moment in the Land War, leading to a temporary cessation of agrarian unrest and marking a pivotal point in his political career and the broader Irish Home Rule movement. The treaty also involved the British government addressing tenant arrears.

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1923
Births

May 2, 1923

Birth of Patrick Hillery

Patrick Hillery, a distinguished Irish surgeon, politician, and former President of Ireland, was born on May 2, 1923, in Milltown Malbay, County Clare. Hillery played a crucial role in Ireland's entry into the European Economic Community (EEC) in 1973, serving as Minister for Foreign Affairs during the negotiations. He later became the European Commissioner and then the sixth President of Ireland, holding the office from 1976 to 1990. His career was marked by significant contributions to both Irish domestic and international politics.

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1957
Deaths

May 2, 1957

Death of Fr. Aloysius Roche

On May 2, 1957, Fr. Aloysius Roche, an Irish patriot and Capuchin friar, passed away. He is remembered for his courageous actions during the 1916 Easter Rising, where he provided spiritual comfort and aid to the Volunteers in Dublin. Following the surrender, Fr. Aloysius played a vital role in delivering the surrender order to various garrisons and ministered to the executed leaders, including Padraig Pearse and James Connolly, in their final hours. His dedication to the rebels and his country cemented his place in Irish history.

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