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On this day

October 11

1649
Battles

October 11, 1649

Sack of Wexford

On October 11, 1649, Oliver Cromwell's New Model Army stormed and sacked the Irish Royalist city of Wexford during the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland. This brutal event occurred amidst attempts by the city's defenders to negotiate a surrender, a plea that was reportedly ignored. The assault resulted in a devastating massacre, with estimates suggesting over 2,000 soldiers and more than 1,500 civilians were killed. Many townspeople also drowned while attempting to escape by boat. The Sack of Wexford is widely remembered in Ireland as one of the most horrific atrocities of the period, instilling widespread fear and becoming a symbol of English brutality.

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1842
Births

October 11, 1842

Birth of Jim Dunne, Bare-Knuckle Boxer

On October 11, 1842, James Peter 'Jim' Dunne, a notable Irish bare-knuckle boxer, was born in County Kildare, Ireland. Dunne later emigrated to the United States, where he became a prominent figure in the boxing world. Standing five feet eleven inches tall and weighing 192 pounds, he was known for his strength and endurance. He achieved significant success in his career, winning several bare-knuckle championship bouts against formidable opponents like Jim Elliott and Bill Davis. Beyond his boxing career, Dunne also became involved in local politics in Brooklyn, New York, serving as a District Leader and later as Commissioner of Streets and Sewers and Sheriff of Brooklyn.

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1921
Politics

October 11, 1921

Anglo-Irish Treaty Negotiations Begin

On October 11, 1921, formal negotiations commenced in London between representatives of the British government and the Irish Republic, aiming to resolve the ongoing Anglo-Irish War. The Irish delegation, led by Arthur Griffith and Michael Collins, sought to establish an independent Irish Republic, while the British, led by Prime Minister David Lloyd George, aimed for a settlement within the British Empire. These critical talks, which followed months of preliminary discussions, ultimately led to the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty on December 6, 1921, a pivotal agreement that established the Irish Free State.

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2023
Sports

October 11, 2023

Women's National Team Qualifies for First World Cup

The Republic of Ireland women's national team qualified for their first-ever FIFA Women's World Cup in 2023. This was a historic achievement for women's football in Ireland and a testament to the growth and development of the sport in the country.

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