1672 – King Charles II issued the first Declaration of Indulgence
In an attempt to promote religious tolerance, King Charles II issued the Declaration of Indulgence, suspending penal laws against Catholics and dissenters in England, Scotland, and Ireland. The declaration was controversial and faced opposition in the English Parliament, which later forced its withdrawal. However, it briefly provided Catholics in Ireland with some relief from religious persecution.
1764 – Birth of Charles O’Conor, historian and antiquary
Charles O’Conor of Belanagare, County Roscommon, was a noted historian and antiquary who worked to preserve Irish historical manuscripts and advocate for Catholic emancipation. He was a key figure in the Gaelic revival and was instrumental in collecting and documenting Ireland’s literary and historical heritage.
1766 – Execution of Fr. Nicholas Sheehy in Clonmel
Fr. Nicholas Sheehy, a Catholic priest and political activist, was hanged in Clonmel, County Tipperary, on charges of treason. He had opposed the Penal Laws and was accused of being involved with the Whiteboys, a secret agrarian society resisting Protestant landlords. His trial was widely regarded as a miscarriage of justice, and he was later venerated as a martyr by the Catholic community.
1773 – Oliver Goldsmith’s play She Stoops to Conquer premieres
The famous comedic play She Stoops to Conquer was performed for the first time at Covent Garden Theatre in London. Written by Irish playwright Oliver Goldsmith, the play was a satirical critique of class and social expectations and remains one of the most celebrated works of 18th-century English theatre.
1774 – Birth of Isaac Weld, author and explorer
Isaac Weld, born in Dublin, became known for his travel writings and explorations, particularly of North America and Canada. His works provided valuable insights into the landscapes and cultures of the regions he visited, and he played a role in promoting emigration to Canada.
1852 – Birth of Isabella Augusta, Lady Gregory
Lady Gregory, born near Loughrea, County Galway, was a dramatist, folklorist, and key figure in the Irish Literary Revival. She co-founded the Abbey Theatre alongside W.B. Yeats and John Millington Synge and contributed significantly to the preservation and promotion of Irish folklore and mythology.
1922 – Éamon de Valera founded Cumann na Poblachta
Following the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty, Éamon de Valera formed Cumann na Poblachta as a political party for those opposed to the treaty. The party aimed to maintain Ireland’s independence from British influence but ultimately merged into Fianna Fáil in 1926.
1953 – 10,000 civil servants march in Dublin for fair wages
Amid growing discontent over wages and working conditions, 10,000 civil servants took to the streets of Dublin in protest, demanding a fair wage increase. The protest highlighted the economic difficulties facing public sector workers in post-war Ireland.
1978 – Death of Micheál Mac Liammóir
Micheál Mac Liammóir, a celebrated actor, poet, and playwright, passed away. He was a co-founder of Dublin’s Gate Theatre and a key figure in Irish theatre. His contributions included acting in and producing numerous plays that celebrated Irish culture and history.
1998 – Funeral of Dermot Morgan in Dublin
Thousands gathered in Dublin to pay their respects at the funeral of Dermot Morgan, the beloved comedian best known for his role as Father Ted in the TV series Father Ted. His untimely death at age 45 was a huge loss to Irish entertainment.
| 1999 – Murder of human rights solicitor Rosemary Nelson Rosemary Nelson, a prominent human rights lawyer, was assassinated when a loyalist paramilitary bomb exploded under her car in Lurgan, County Armagh. She had represented nationalist clients and received threats for her legal work. Her death led to international condemnation and a major inquiry into security force collusion. |  |