1744 – Pill Lane House Collapse
A tragic incident occurred in Dublin when a house in Pill Lane collapsed during a Roman Catholic mass. The accident claimed the lives of the officiating priest and nine members of the congregation. At a time when Catholic worship faced restrictions, this disaster was a major blow to the local community.
1852 – The Birkenhead Sinking
The HMS Birkenhead struck an uncharted rock off the coast of South Africa and began to sink. Notably, British Army recruits aboard the vessel stood in formation, allowing women and children to board lifeboats first—a tragedy that led to the famous maritime tradition of “women and children first.”
1903 – The “Ulysses” Storm
One of the worst storms in Irish history, known as the “Ulysses” storm, swept across the country. It caused severe damage, including the uprooting of between 1,000 and 3,000 trees in Phoenix Park, Dublin. The storm was named after the famous novel by James Joyce, which contains references to the event.
1903 – Launch of SS Columbus
Harland and Wolff, the Belfast-based shipbuilding company, launched the ocean liner SS Columbus. This marked another milestone in Ireland’s renowned shipbuilding industry, which would later produce the Titanic.
1934 – Thurles Schoolboy Protest
In a unique display of student activism, schoolboys in Thurles protested against classmates who wore Blueshirts, the uniform of the right-wing, pro-fascist movement in Ireland. This incident reflected growing tensions over political ideologies in 1930s Ireland.
1960 – Alitalia Flight 618 Crash
Alitalia Flight 618 crashed into a cemetery shortly after taking off from Shannon Airport, killing 34 of the 52 people on board. The tragedy was one of the worst air disasters in Ireland’s history and led to increased safety measures in aviation.
1962 – IRA Ends the Border Campaign
After years of attempting to end British rule in Northern Ireland through armed struggle, the Irish Republican Army (IRA) officially called off its Border Campaign. The campaign, which had begun in 1956, was largely unsuccessful in achieving its goals and had lost public support.
1992 – The “X Case” Ruling
The Irish Supreme Court ruled that a 14-year-old rape victim, known as “Miss X,” could travel to Britain for an abortion. This overturned a previous High Court ruling that had prevented her from leaving the country. The case was a pivotal moment in Ireland’s abortion rights debate.
2016 – Irish General Election
Ireland held a general election that resulted in a fragmented outcome, with no single party winning a majority. The election led to prolonged negotiations before a government was formed, highlighting the shifting nature of Irish politics in the 21st century.