#OTD in Irish History | 12 June:

In the Liturgical calendar, today is the Feast day of St. Christian O’Morgair, brother of St. Malachy, and Bishop of Clogher. 1731 – The Revenue Commissioners report the robbery of the Golden Lyon’s cargo at Ballyheige. One of the robbers is caught and turns king’s evidence; the Danish Asiatic Company offers a reward of 10 […]

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#OTD in Irish History | 1 June (Meitheamh):

1762 – Birth in Callan, Co Kilkenny of Blessed Edmund Ignatius Rice, educator, philanthropist, and the founder of the Irish Christian Brothers’ Order. 1798 – United Irishmen Rebellion: Battle of Bunclody. 1850 – US Census conducted on this day indicates that almost four million of the total population are ethnic Irish. Almost one million were […]

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#OTD in Irish History | 28 May:

1590 – Hugh O’Neill, Earl of Tyrone, agrees to abandon further attempts at extending his territory in the north, and undertakes to force his people to adopt English laws and customs. 1713 – William Molyneux, the fourteen-year old son of Sir Thomas Molyneux, a former MP, is killed when a leaden image falls on him […]

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#OTD in Irish History | 27 May:

1224 – Cathal Crobhdearg Ua Conchobair, king of Connacht and brother of Rory O’Connor, dies at the age of 72. This finally opens the way for the Norman occupation of Connacht. 1595 – Hugh O’Neill, Earl of Tyrone, defeats the English forces of his brother-in-law, Sir Henry Bagenal, at the Battle of Clontibret, Co Monaghan; […]

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#OTD in Irish History | 26 May:

1562 – Following his submission to Elizabeth at Whitehall in January, Shane O’Neill returns to Ireland on this date. 1650 – Oliver Cromwell leaves Ireland on board the frigate President Bradshaw. His deputy and son-in-law, Henry Ireton takes control of the Irish campaign and captures Birr Castle. 1798 – United Irishman Rebellion: The rebels are […]

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#OTD in Irish History | 25 May:

1315 – Edward Bruce (brother of Robert Bruce, king of Scots), having been invited by some Gaelic chiefs, leads an expedition to Ireland with the aim of conquering it, creating a kingdom of Ireland and driving out the Norman-Irish settlers. He lands at Larne on this date and is proclaimed king of Ireland. 1705 – […]

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#OTD in Irish History | 23 May:

1561 – The first court of High Commission, a group of officials and Protestant clergy, is set up to enforce the Reformation in Ireland. 1754 – Birth of Dr. William Drennan in Belfast; physician, poet, educationalist political radical and one of the chief architects of the Society of United Irishmen. Drennan’s poetic output included some […]

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#OTD in Irish History | 22 May:

1748 – Birth of landscape painter, Thomas Roberts in Co Waterford. 1805 – Michael Doheny, poet and Young Irelander, is born near Fethard, Co Tipperary. 1849 – Novelist, Maria Edgeworth, dies in Mostrim, Co Longford. She is laid to rest in a vault at Edgeworthstown Church. Even though in her late seventies, she worked strenuously […]

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#OTD in Irish History | 21 May:

1639 – Lord Deputy Thomas Wentworth imposes the Black Oath of loyalty to Charles I on all Ulster Scots over the age of 16. 1745 – Count Daniel O’Connell, a soldier in French and British services, is born in Derrynane, Co Kerry. 1799 – Bill of Union (later the Act of Union) introduced in Irish […]

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