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An Asgard

The Asgard Image Name: The Asgard Description: 'The Asgard' (1914). The yacht 'Asgard', which brought guns from Germany in the Howth gun running incident, Dublin 1914. The guns were used to arm the Irish Volunters. Image shot by Joseph Cashman from an unknown source. Copyright: RTÉ Stills Library
The Asgard Image Name: The Asgard Description: Howth Gun Running (1914). Republicans who had just collected weapons in the Howth gun running are cheered by crowds as they drive by in a motor car, Dublin, 26 July 1914. The guns had been taken to Howth from Germany in the yacht 'Asgard' to arm the Irish Volunteers. Copyright: RTÉ Stills Library
Séamus Mac Géidigh Image Name: Séamus Mac Géidigh Description: Séamus Mac Géidigh, Presenter Copyright: RTÉ

Clár speisialta a bheidh le cloisteáil againn inniu faoin Asgard, agus beirt fhear as Tír Chonaill a bhí ar bord, nuair a tugadh an lasta gunnaí agus armlóin i dtír i mBinn Éadair, beagnach cothrom 100 bliain ó shin, ar 26 Iúil 1914.  Deir na staraithe nach mbeadh Éirí Amach na Cásca 1916 ann ar chor ar bith, nó Poblacht na hÉireann bunaithe, ach go b’é Binn Éadair agus lasta eile airm a tugadh i dtír i gCill Chúil, i gContae Chill Mhantáin, ar an 1 Iúil.  Inniu, cloisfimid scéal an bheirt Chonallach a bhí ar bord, Páidí Dhónaill Pháidí Mac Fhionnghaile (24) agus Séarlaí Pháidí Shéarlais Ó Dugáin (36), as Oileán Ghabhla.  Conas ar tharla sé go raibh siad ar an mbád?  Céard a tharla dóibh ina dhiaidh sin?  Cén tábhacht a bhí leis an eachtra i stair na hÉireann?  Cuirfidh Séamus Mac Géidigh an scéal uilig ar na súile dúinn, le cuidiú ó staraithe aitheanta, ina measc Uinsinn Ó Breisleáin, saineolaí áitiúil ar an ábhar. 

Today, we hear a special programme about the Asgard, and two men from northwest Donegal who were on board, when it landed a cargo of guns and ammunition in Howth almost 100 years to the day, on 26 July 1914.  Historians say that it was a critical event in the history of this country, and without it, and another arms drop in Wicklow, there would have been no Easter Rising, and no Irish Republic.  On the show today, we will learn how Páidí Dhónaill Pháidí Mac Fhionnghaile (24) and Séarlaí Pháidí Shéarlais Ó Dugáin (36) from the island of Gabhla in northwest Donegal, came to be on the boat.  We will hear from historians, including expert local historian Uinsinn Ó Breisleáin, about their backgrounds, what happened to them afterwards, and the historic importance of the event.  Séamus Mac Géidigh presents.