1650 – Cromwell’s Army Defeated at Clonmel
During the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland, Oliver Cromwell launched a second and particularly fierce assault on the town of Clonmel. His forces were met with stiff resistance from the Irish defenders under Hugh Dubh O’Neill. Cromwell suffered his heaviest losses in Ireland during this failed attack. Unaware that O’Neill had already withdrawn his forces overnight, the town’s mayor negotiated a surrender the following day, which Cromwell accepted, mistakenly believing he had won by force.
1730 – Elizabeth Molyneux Marries Nathaniel St. Andre
Elizabeth, the widow of William Molyneux, married Nathaniel St. Andre, a Swiss-born surgeon and physician to King George II. St. Andre had previously faced a defamation lawsuit accusing him of hastening William Molyneux’s death by administering opium with Elizabeth’s connivance. He successfully won the case, clearing both himself and his new wife of wrongdoing.
1782 – Repeal of British Legislative Control over Ireland
On this day, the Parliament of Great Britain, led by Prime Minister Lord Rockingham, passed legislation repealing the 1719 Dependency of Ireland Act. This effectively restored legislative independence to the Irish Parliament and marked a milestone in Ireland’s constitutional development. The act was a victory for Irish nationalists and the Irish Patriot Party led by Henry Grattan.
1822 – Birth of Confederate Officer James Hagan
James Hagan was born in Ireland and later emigrated to the United States, where he became a notable military figure. He served as a captain during the Mexican-American War and later rose to the rank of colonel in the Confederate Army during the American Civil War. Hagan is remembered for his leadership in cavalry operations in the western theatre of the conflict.
1855 – Birth of Timothy Michael Healy
Born in Bantry, Co. Cork, Timothy Healy would become one of Ireland’s most eloquent and combative parliamentarians. A barrister by trade and nationalist by conviction, he was a leading figure in the Irish Parliamentary Party and later served as the first Governor-General of the Irish Free State. Healy was known for his sharp wit and political independence.
1865 – Birth of Novelist Shan Bullock
Shan Bullock, born in Crom, County Fermanagh, became a respected Irish author known for his novels and short stories depicting rural Ulster life. Writing during a time of great political and social change, his work provided detailed insights into the lives of ordinary people, capturing both the traditions and tensions of his homeland.
1880 – Parnell Becomes Chairman of Irish Parliamentary Party
On this date, Charles Stewart Parnell was elected Chairman of the Irish Parliamentary Party, solidifying his leadership in the Home Rule movement. Under his guidance, the party became a disciplined political force in Westminster, championing Irish legislative autonomy and land reform. His influence reshaped Irish politics during the late 19th century.
| 1917 – Sinn Féin Leaders Arrested in “German Plot” In the midst of World War I, British authorities arrested several Sinn Féin leaders, accusing them of conspiring with Germany to incite rebellion in Ireland. This so-called “German plot” lacked evidence but was used to justify the suppression of nationalist movements. Ironically, it only served to increase Sinn Féin’s popularity among the Irish public. |  |
1919 – First Dáil Court Established
The first Dáil Court was established in Ballinrobe, County Mayo, marking a revolutionary act by the newly formed Dáil Éireann to create a parallel legal system independent of British control. These courts provided a peaceful and functioning alternative to British rule and were key to legitimizing Irish republican institutions during the War of Independence.
1919 – Dáil Rejects British Authority at Paris Peace Conference
On the same day, the Dáil Éireann sent a formal letter to the head of the Paris Peace Conference, declaring that Britain had no mandate to represent Ireland. The letter asserted Ireland’s right to self-determination, seeking international recognition for the Irish Republic declared earlier that year.
1974 – Dublin and Monaghan Bombings
In one of the darkest days of the Troubles, four car bombs exploded in Dublin and Monaghan, killing 33 civilians and injuring nearly 300 more. These coordinated attacks were carried out by the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF), a loyalist paramilitary group. The scale and tragedy of the bombings shocked the nation and left a deep wound in Irish society. It remains the deadliest single day of the conflict.
2011 – Queen Elizabeth II Begins Historic State Visit to Ireland
Queen Elizabeth II arrived in Dublin for a landmark state visit, the first by a reigning British monarch since Ireland gained independence in 1922. Her visit was marked by powerful symbolic gestures, including laying a wreath at the Garden of Remembrance. It was seen as a milestone in Anglo-Irish relations and received widespread praise for promoting reconciliation.
2020 – National Famine Commemoration Day Observed
Ireland observed National Famine Commemoration Day, honouring the memory of those who suffered and perished during the Great Famine of the mid-19th century. The day includes ceremonies, educational events, and cultural programming focused on the legacy of the famine and its impact on Irish society and the diaspora.