1389 – Thomas Mortimer is appointed Justiciar of Ireland.
Thomas Mortimer, an English knight and administrator, was appointed Justiciar (chief governor) of Ireland. This role was crucial in overseeing English interests in Ireland, particularly in maintaining law and order among the Anglo-Norman lords and native Irish chieftains. His tenure was marked by ongoing conflicts and shifting allegiances between the Crown and local power factions.
1716 – Martin Bladen is granted permission in the British House of Commons to introduce a bill allowing the continued privilege of exporting Irish linen cloth to British plantations without duty.
The Irish linen industry was a key economic sector, and this legislation allowed Ireland to maintain a competitive advantage in trade. Linen production, particularly in Ulster, provided employment and prosperity, making it one of the few industries where Ireland benefited under British rule.
1759 – Birth of Thomas Bray, who would become the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Cashel.
Thomas Bray was an influential Catholic leader during a period of significant religious and political change in Ireland. As Archbishop of Cashel, he played a crucial role in promoting Catholic education and advocating for the rights of Irish Catholics, who faced legal discrimination under the Penal Laws.
1783 – The ship Count de Belgioioso, en route from Liverpool to China, founders on the Kish Bank in Dublin Bay during a storm.
The Kish Bank, a sandbank off the coast of Dublin, has been the site of numerous shipwrecks throughout history. The loss of the Count de Belgioioso was a reminder of the perils of maritime travel and led to calls for better navigational aids along the Irish coastline.
1829 – Robert Peel moves for a committee to consider Catholic disabilities, a major step toward Catholic Emancipation.
As Home Secretary, Robert Peel played a key role in passing the Catholic Relief Act of 1829, which granted Irish Catholics the right to sit in Parliament and hold public office. This was a landmark moment in the struggle for religious equality in Ireland, largely influenced by Daniel O’Connell’s mass political movement.
1867 – The Fenian Rising takes place, with sporadic insurgent activity across Ireland.
The Irish Republican Brotherhood (Fenians) launched an armed rebellion against British rule, aiming to establish an independent Irish Republic. However, the rising was poorly coordinated and quickly suppressed by British forces. Despite its failure, it inspired later movements, including the 1916 Easter Rising.
1911 – Birth of actor Joseph Tomelty in Portaferry, County Down.
Joseph Tomelty was a celebrated Northern Irish actor, playwright, and novelist. He was known for his work in radio and television, particularly in the BBC radio drama The McCooeys, which depicted working-class Belfast life with humor and authenticity.
| 1921 – The Clonbanin Ambush takes place in County Cork during the Irish War of Independence. The Irish Republican Army (IRA) ambushed a British Army convoy near Clonbanin, County Cork. The attack resulted in the death of Brigadier General Hanway Robert Cumming and several British soldiers. This ambush was one of many guerrilla-style tactics used by the IRA to weaken British forces in Ireland. |  |
1936 – W. T. Cosgrave is again nominated as President of Fine Gael.
William T. Cosgrave, the first head of the Irish Free State government, remained a leading figure in Irish politics. His reappointment as Fine Gael leader reflected the party’s continued influence in the country, despite challenges from Éamon de Valera’s Fianna Fáil.
1957 – Éamon de Valera’s Fianna Fáil party wins the general election in Ireland, leading to the formation of a single-party majority government.
De Valera’s victory marked a return to power for Fianna Fáil, allowing them to pursue policies of economic protectionism and maintain Ireland’s policy of neutrality in global affairs. This election reinforced his dominance in Irish politics.
1974 – Merlyn Rees becomes Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
Merlyn Rees took office during a turbulent period in the Troubles. His tenure saw efforts to reform security policies, improve relations with nationalist and unionist communities, and negotiate ceasefires, though violence continued to escalate.
1998 – The remains of Dermot Morgan (Father Ted) are received at St. Theresa’s Church in Dublin.
Dermot Morgan, the beloved Irish comedian and actor best known for playing Father Ted Crilly in Father Ted, passed away suddenly at the age of 45. His funeral saw an outpouring of grief, with fans and fellow comedians paying tribute to his wit and cultural impact.
2008 – Reverend Ian Paisley announces he will step down as leader of Northern Ireland’s power-sharing administration and the Democratic Unionist Party.
Ian Paisley, a dominant figure in Northern Irish politics and a fierce advocate of unionism, announced his retirement from leadership roles. His tenure saw a dramatic shift from hardline opposition to Sinn Féin to working alongside them in government, marking a major turning point in the peace process.