1823 – Birth of Thomas Francis Meagher aka: “O’Meagher”, or “Meagher of the Sword”, an Irish nationalist and American politician. In his younger years he became an Irish revolutionary, fighting for Ireland’s independence from British rule. During this time Meagher introduced the flag that is now regarded as the national Flag of Ireland. In 1848, Meagher was convicted of sedition by the United Kingdom, and sentenced to death. Due to public outcry, his sentence was commuted to expulsion to Van Diemen’s Land on the Australian state of Tasmania.

1857 – George F. FitzGerald, physicist who postulated the FitzGerald-Lorenze contraction, is born in Dublin.

1916 – Roger Casement, Irish patriot, is hanged by the English in Pentonville Prison, London. He was the last to be executed as a result of the Easter Rebellion.

1922 – The Free State forces under General Prout take Carrick on Suir with one man killed and three wounded. Breen’s men retreat southwards.

1922 – National Army commandant Scally is killed in an ambush by Anti-Treaty IRA men between Swinford and Ballina in Mayo.

1922 – Around 250 pro-treaty IRA men from County Clare are embarked from Kilrush to Tarbert in fishing boats and take Ballylongford and Listowel.

1923 – The body of Henry McEntee was found at Dubber Cross near Jamestown Road Finglas County Dublin. It was alleged that McEntee had received threats from the CID at Oriel House.

1923 – A Civic Guard is shot dead by pro-Treaty troops at Belturbet Cavan, when he failed to stop at an Army checkpoint.

1940 – Birth of Martin Sheen (b. Ramón Gerardo Antonio Estévez), an American film actor best known for his performances in the films Badlands (1973) and Apocalypse Now (1979), and in the television series The West Wing from 1999 to 2006. Born and raised in the United States to immigrant parents, a first-generation Irish mother, Mary-Anne Phelan from Borrisokane, Co Tipperary and a Galician father, Francisco Estévez from Vigo in Galicia. He adopted the stage name Martin Sheen to help him gain acting parts. He is the father of actors Emilio Estevez, Ramón Estevez, Carlos Irwin Estevez (Charlie Sheen), and Renée Estevez. His younger brother Joe Estevez is also an actor.

1945 – Birth of Eamon Martin Dunphy, an Irish media personality, broadcaster, author, sports pundit and former professional footballer. Since retiring from the sport, he has become recognisable to Irish television audiences as a football analyst during coverage of the Premier League, UEFA Champions League and international football on RTÉ.

1998 – In a landmark deal, the Apprentice Boys of Derry and Catholic residents of the city’s Bogside reach agreement on a contentious parade after a weekend of tense negotiations.

1998 – Between 20,000 and 25,000 people throng Youghal over the four days of the Murphy’s-sponsored International Busking Festival.

1999 – Continental Airlines announces increased availability of what it says are the cheapest direct flights between Ireland and the US.

2001 – Ealing Bombing: a Real IRA car bomb injured seven civilians in Ealing, west London.

2001 – Met Éireann reports that up to 22 millimetres of rain has fallen in the south. Insurance companies believe the cost of flash-flooding in Cork and Tipperary could hit £2 million.

2001 – A potentially fatal bacterium forces St. James Hospital in Dublin to close its general intensive care unit to new admissions.

2010 – Óglaigh na hÉireann claimed responsibility for detonating a 200 lb car bomb outside Strand Road PSNI station in Derry.

Photo: Murlough Bay, Co Antrim © Stair na hÉireann

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