1735 – Birth of Thomas Conway
Thomas Conway was born in Cloghane, County Kerry. He later became a soldier in the French army and played a role in the American Revolutionary War, reaching the rank of Major General. His military career was marked by controversy, including involvement in the “Conway Cabal,” an attempt to undermine General George Washington.
1799 – Death of Sir John Blackwood, 2nd Baronet
Sir John Blackwood was a prominent Irish politician who served as an MP for Killyleagh in the Irish House of Commons. He was known for his opposition to the Act of Union, which eventually merged Ireland with Great Britain. His family later became the Barons Dufferin and Claneboye.
1892 – Ireland vs. Wales Football Match
The Ireland national football team played against Wales in Bangor, resulting in a 1–1 draw. This was part of the British Home Championship, an annual competition contested between the four national teams of the United Kingdom.
1903 – Mansion House Meeting on St. Patrick’s Day
A meeting at the Mansion House, Dublin, supported the idea of making St. Patrick’s Day a national holiday. The campaign, led by Irish nationalist groups, sought to have March 17 recognized as a public holiday in Ireland and among Irish communities abroad.
1903 – The “Ulysses” Storm
A severe storm, later referred to as the “Ulysses” Storm, caused widespread damage across Ireland. It uprooted thousands of trees in Phoenix Park, Dublin, and caused structural damage to buildings throughout the country. The storm was one of the most severe to hit Ireland in the early 20th century.
1920 – Home Rule Bill Published
The British government published the text of the Government of Ireland Act 1920, commonly known as the Home Rule Bill. This legislation proposed the creation of separate parliaments for Northern and Southern Ireland, though it was largely opposed by nationalists and ultimately failed to prevent the War of Independence.
1937 – Death of Charlie Donnelly at the Battle of Jarama
Charlie Donnelly, an Irish poet and left-wing activist, was killed on the final day of the Battle of Jarama during the Spanish Civil War. He was fighting on the Republican side as part of the International Brigades. He is remembered for his literary contributions and his dedication to antifascist causes.
1948 – Delay of Aerlínte Éireann’s Transatlantic Service
The Irish government requested that Aerlínte Éireann, the precursor to Aer Lingus, postpone its planned inaugural transatlantic service. Due to financial constraints and high costs, the launch of Ireland’s international airline service was delayed for several more years.
1997 – Divorce Becomes Legal in Ireland
After a closely contested referendum in 1995, divorce officially became legal in the Republic of Ireland on February 27, 1997. This marked a major shift in Irish family law, as the Catholic Church had long opposed any changes to Ireland’s strict marital laws.
2019 – Record Homelessness Figures in Ireland
Figures released in February 2019 revealed that 9,987 people were homeless in Ireland, including 3,624 children. This highlighted the growing housing crisis in the country, leading to calls for urgent government intervention and reforms to address the shortage of affordable housing.