1295 – A Parliament at Kilkenny orders the release of Richard de Burgh, the “Red Earl” of Ulster.
Richard de Burgh, one of the most powerful Norman lords in medieval Ireland, had been imprisoned due to political conflicts. His release by the Kilkenny Parliament marked a significant moment in the ongoing power struggles between the Anglo-Norman nobility and the English Crown.
1685 – Birth of George Berkeley, philosopher, physicist, and mathematician, in Dysart Castle, Co. Kilkenny.
George Berkeley became one of Ireland’s most famous intellectuals, developing the philosophical theory of immaterialism, which argued that objects only exist as perceptions in the mind. His influence extended beyond philosophy, and the university town of Berkeley, California, was named in his honor.
1689 – King James II lands at Kinsale, Ireland, and proceeds to Dublin.
Following his overthrow in the Glorious Revolution, James II sought to reclaim his throne with support from Catholic Ireland and France. His arrival at Kinsale was the beginning of a military campaign that would culminate in the Williamite War, including the famous Battle of the Boyne.
1766 – Father Nicholas Sheehy is executed in Clonmel on controversial murder charges.
Father Nicholas Sheehy, a Catholic priest and political activist, was a vocal critic of British rule in Ireland. He was accused of involvement in a murder, though many believed the charges were fabricated to silence his opposition to Protestant landowners. His execution sparked outrage and remains a significant event in Irish history.
1798 – The Leinster delegates of the United Irishmen are seized in Dublin after their meeting is betrayed.
As part of British efforts to suppress the United Irishmen’s planned rebellion, a key meeting of the revolutionary group was infiltrated by an informer. The subsequent arrests crippled the leadership of the rebellion, delaying its outbreak and weakening its effectiveness.
1832 – Birth of Captain Charles Boycott, the English estate manager in Ireland whose ostracism led to the term “boycott.”
Boycott was a land agent in County Mayo during the Land War. When he attempted to evict tenants for not paying rent, local farmers and workers refused to serve him, isolating him completely. His name became synonymous with organized economic resistance.
1873 – Prime Minister Gladstone’s Irish University Bill is defeated in the House of Commons.
Gladstone attempted to reform higher education in Ireland by expanding Trinity College Dublin to allow Catholics and others to study there freely. However, opposition from both Catholic and Protestant factions led to the bill’s failure, highlighting the deep sectarian divide in Ireland at the time.
1909 – Death in Dublin of John Millington Synge, playwright known for works depicting Irish peasant life.
Synge, best known for The Playboy of the Western World, was a key figure in the Irish Literary Revival. His works, which portrayed rural Irish life with both humor and realism, often sparked controversy, particularly among nationalist and conservative groups.
1920 – The first ‘Black and Tans’ (auxiliary policemen) officially arrive in Ireland.
The Black and Tans, a force recruited by the British government to support the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) during the Irish War of Independence, became infamous for their brutal tactics, including reprisals against civilians. Their arrival marked an escalation in the conflict between Irish republicans and British forces.
1971 – Birth of Conrad Gallagher, Michelin-starred chef from County Donegal.
Gallagher rose to fame in the culinary world, opening renowned restaurants in Ireland and abroad. Despite later controversies involving legal issues, he remains one of Ireland’s most recognized chefs, contributing to the country’s modern fine dining scene.
| 1974 – Billy Fox, a Protestant politician from County Monaghan, is shot dead while visiting the home of his fiancée. Fox, a senator and outspoken unionist, was the only member of the Oireachtas (Irish parliament) killed during the Troubles. His murder by members of the Provisional IRA heightened tensions in the border regions, further fueling sectarian violence. |  |
1985 – The Health (Family Planning) (Amendment) Act allows the sale of condoms and spermicides to adults without prescriptions.
This law marked a turning point in Ireland’s social history, as it relaxed strict Catholic-influenced laws on contraception. It was one of several legislative changes in the 1980s that reflected a gradual shift toward a more secular society.
2010 – Thousands of Gardaí begin a ‘work-to-rule’ protest, the first action of its kind in the history of the force.
In response to public sector pay cuts and the pension levy during Ireland’s financial crisis, members of the national police force protested by refusing to perform non-essential duties. This unprecedented action underscored the economic hardship and unrest of the period.
2011 – Ian Paisley calls for a new era of sharing and reconciliation in an emotional farewell at his final sitting of the power-sharing Assembly at Stormont.
Once a staunch opponent of Irish nationalism, Paisley surprised many by embracing power-sharing with Sinn Féin in Northern Ireland. His farewell speech was seen as a landmark moment in the peace process, symbolizing a move towards cooperation between communities.