1574 – Captain William Martin lays siege to Grace O’Malley in Rockfleet Castle.
Grace O’Malley, the famed Irish pirate queen, was besieged in Rockfleet Castle by Captain William Martin, an English officer. However, O’Malley was known for her resilience and ability to evade capture, outmaneuvering English forces throughout her lifetime.
| 1594 – An English expedition sets out from Galway to kill pirate queen Grace O’Malley. The English Crown, frustrated with O’Malley’s defiance and piracy, dispatched a force from Galway to hunt her down. However, she continued to evade capture and would later negotiate directly with Queen Elizabeth I for her freedom. |  |
1643 – Sir Phelim O’Neill abandons the siege of Drogheda and retreats northward.
During the Irish Confederate Wars, Sir Phelim O’Neill, leader of the Irish Catholic Confederation, besieged Drogheda in an effort to capture the strategically important town. However, faced with stiff resistance and supply issues, he was forced to abandon the siege and retreat to Ulster.
1700 – Anne Bonny, née Cormac, pirate, is born in Co. Cork.
Anne Bonny became one of the most infamous female pirates in history, sailing the Caribbean seas alongside figures such as Calico Jack Rackham. Her adventurous and rebellious nature made her a legend among maritime outlaws.
1766 – Four pirates are executed in St Stephen’s Green, Dublin.
In a public display of justice, four pirates were hanged in St. Stephen’s Green for their role in the murders of Captain Cochrane, Captain Glass, and others. This was a common punishment for piracy in the 18th century.
1831 – In the ‘tithe war,’ 120 police move into Graiguenamanagh to seize cattle in payment of the tithe.
The Tithe War was a campaign of passive resistance against the mandatory payment of tithes to the Anglican Church of Ireland by Catholic and Presbyterian farmers. The authorities responded by confiscating cattle and other property, leading to widespread unrest.
1887 – Birth of Patrick O’Connell, soccer player and manager.
Patrick O’Connell was an Irish footballer who played for clubs like Manchester United and later became a legendary manager for FC Barcelona, helping to keep the club afloat during the Spanish Civil War.
1935 – Ronnie Delany, 1500-meter gold medalist in the 1956 Olympic Games, is born in Arklow, Co. Wicklow.
Ronnie Delany became a national hero in Ireland after winning gold in the 1500m race at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, marking one of Ireland’s greatest sporting achievements.
1942 – Mary MacSwiney, a prominent Irish republican and sister of Terence MacSwiney, dies at her home in Cork.
Mary MacSwiney was an ardent Irish nationalist and politician who campaigned for Irish independence, following in the footsteps of her brother Terence MacSwiney, who died on hunger strike in 1920.
1960 – The MV Plassy is wrecked off the coast of Inisheer in the Aran Islands.
The MV Plassy, a cargo ship, ran aground on Inisheer, the smallest of the Aran Islands, during a storm. The wreck remains a popular attraction, sitting on the island’s rocky shoreline.
1966 – Nelson’s Pillar in Dublin is bombed and partially destroyed.
Nelson’s Pillar, a monument to British Admiral Horatio Nelson, stood on Dublin’s O’Connell Street until it was bombed by Irish republicans. The explosion heavily damaged the structure, leading to its complete demolition days later.
1966 – A teenage riot occurs at Dublin Airport when singer Dickie Rock returns from the Eurovision Song Contest.
Dickie Rock, representing Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest, was met with an overwhelming and frenzied crowd upon his return, leading to a riot-like atmosphere at Dublin Airport.
1978 – Micheál Mac Liammóir, poet, actor, and founder of the Gate Theatre, dies.
Mac Liammóir was a significant figure in Irish theatre, co-founding the Gate Theatre in Dublin and contributing to the promotion of Irish culture and drama.
2010 – Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism Martin Cullen resigns from politics after seeking medical advice.
Citing health concerns, Martin Cullen stepped down from his ministerial role, ending his political career after years of service in the Irish government.
2010 – President of East Timor José Ramos-Horta begins his two-day first official state visit to Ireland.
José Ramos-Horta, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, visited Ireland to strengthen diplomatic relations and acknowledge Ireland’s support for East Timor’s independence.
2013 – Death of John O’Connell, former Ceann Comhairle, government minister, and Labour Party and Fianna Fáil TD and Member of the European Parliament (MEP).
John O’Connell had a long and distinguished career in Irish politics, serving in multiple roles, including as a government minister and Ceann Comhairle (speaker of the Dáil).
2018 – The Cabinet agrees to hold a referendum asking voters to repeal the Eighth Amendment.
The Eighth Amendment, which placed a constitutional ban on abortion in Ireland, was a highly controversial issue. The government’s decision to hold a referendum led to its eventual repeal later in the year.
2018 – Former President Mary McAleese criticizes the Catholic Church as “an empire of misogyny.”
Speaking on International Women’s Day, former President Mary McAleese condemned the Catholic Church’s treatment of women, calling for greater gender equality within its structures.