#OTD in 1920 – Kevin Barry, an 18-year-old medical student, is hanged in Dublin for his part in a raid in which six soldiers were killed.

01/11/2023.Reading time 3 minutes.

Fuair siad bás ar son Saoirse na hÉireann. Kevin Barry was 18 years old when he was hanged in Mountjoy Jail on 1st November 1920. His death at such a young age is possibly the most poignant in Irish history. He is one of a group of IRA members executed in 1920-21 collectively known as […]

#OTD in 1750 – Death of highwayman, “Captain” James MacLaine.

03/10/2023.Reading time 9 minutes.

Born in Co Monaghan, MacLaine was a notorious highwayman with his accomplice William Plunkett. He was known as the “Gentleman Highwayman” as a result of his courteous behaviour during his robberies. He famously robbed Horace Walpole, and was eventually hanged at Tyburn. The film Plunkett and Macleane was based loosely on his exploits. MacLaine was […]

#OTD in 1803 – Robert Emmet is captured and arrested by the British.

25/08/2023.Reading time 7 minutes.

Robert Emmet is captured in Dublin following a hopelessly unsuccessful attempt at insurrection. Sentenced to be hanged, drawn and quartered, he was executed 20 September 1803. The ill-planned insurrection ended in utter confusion. The Wicklow contingent never arrived; the Kildare men retired thinking the rising had been postponed; while the men at Broadstairs waited vainly for […]

#OTD in 1761 – John MacNaghten, a gambler, duellist and criminal, is hanged at Strabane jail for his involvement in the killing of Mary Anne Knox, daughter of Andrew Knox MP.

15/12/2022.Reading time 3 minutes.

One of the earliest recorded public hangings associated with Lifford Courthouse is that of John MacNaghten in 1761. Such was the publicity surrounding the case that even though it is over 250 years ago, the incident is still remembered this day and is now part of local folklore. It was in the newly-built County Gaol […]