1709 – Birth of Benjamin Burton, politician and Revenue Commissioner. 1729 – Edmund Burke, orator, statesman and philosopher, is born in Arran Quay, Dublin. 1745 – Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Earl of Chesterfield, is the first official to allow Dubliners to roam in the Phoenix Park, and installed the central “Phoenix Monument”, a phoenix bird on […]
Rathcroghan, Cruachan Aí, is known as the Ancient Capital of Connacht, where the festival of Samhain (Halloween) is said to originate. This majestic landscape is the oldest and largest unexcavated Royal Site in Europe. The Rathcroghan landscape boasts over 240 identified archaeological sites, spanning a staggering period of over 5,500 years of human history. The […]
The Great Southern and Western Railway Company releases a report detailing the damage Anti-Treaty forces have caused to their property over the previous six months; 375 lines damaged, 42 engines derailed, 51 over-bridges and 207 under-bridges destroyed, 83 signal cabins and 13 other buildings destroyed. In the same month, Republicans destroy the railway stations at […]
1753 – Death of physician, naturalist, Hans Sloane, Killyleagh, in Co Down. He was a collector, notable for bequeathing his collection to the nation, thus providing the foundation of the British Museum. His name was later used for streets and places such as Hans Place, Hans Crescent and Sloane Square in London, and also to […]
1751 – Cornelius Bolton, politician, Volunteer and improving landlord is born. He was a very progressive landlord and was very interested in helping his tenants progress. 1814 – Aubrey Thomas De Vere, a poet who adapted early Gaelic tales, is born in Co Limerick. He helped the Celtic revival encouraging the study of Celtic legend […]
1642 – Thirty Catholics are killed by the Scottish garrison and English settlers at Island Magee, Co Antrim. 1794 – Birth of Frances Ball in Dublin. Known as Mother Mary Theresa, she was the foundress of the Irish Branch of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (IBVM). In 1822 she opened the first institution […]
The Mersey Ship – “We could be buried along with our people, in the old churchyard, with the green sod over us, instead of lying like rotten sheep thrown in a pit, and the minute the breath is out of our bodies, thrown into the sea to be eaten up by them horrid sharks.” Robert […]
1547 – Henry VIII suppresses the Chapter of St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin; it will not be restored until 15 June 1555. 1779 – Birth in Newry of actress Julia Glover. 1860 – The Church of St Andrew in Suffolk Street, Dublin, is destroyed by fire. 1871 – James Craig, Ist Viscount Craigavon, Unionist politician and […]
1878 – Death of John O’Neill. Born in Co Monaghan, he was an officer in the American Civil War and member of the Fenian Brotherhood. O’Neill is best known for his activities leading the Fenian raids on Canada in 1866 and 1871. He had won the only success the Fenians ever achieved in their numerous […]
One of the worst storms in Irish history took place on 5 January 1839, when heavy snow fell throughout Ireland. In Irish history it’s known as the ‘Night of the Big Wind’ or ‘Oíche na Gaoithe Móire.’ This storm developed in the mid-Atlantic region early on 6 January 1839, but really intensified as its associated […]
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