Nick Maxwell

1941 Sixteen soldiers were killed in an explosion while conducting tests with anti-tank mines in the Glen of Imaal, Co. Wicklow—the worst disaster in the annals of the Irish Defence Forces. 1968 African-American athletes Tommie Smith and Juan Carlos raised black-gloved fists as the Star-Spangled Banner played during their medal ceremony at the Olympic Games … Read more

1171 King Henry II landed in Waterford with 4,000 troops in a mission to underscore his authority and add Ireland to his extensive Anglo-French empire. 1919 A government proclamation outlawed Sinn Féin, the IRA, etc. Sinn Féin still held its Ard-Fheis, from midnight to 3am. 1968 Nationalist MPs withdrew from Stormont and thereby ceased to … Read more

1971 The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) was founded by Revd Ian Paisley and Desmond Boal, a former member of the Stormont parliament who had been expelled from the Ulster Unionist Party. 1921 Dáil Éireann sanctioned the appointment of five republican delegates to meet British representatives in London. 1920 Seán Treacy of the IRA’s 3rd Tipperary … Read more

2006 The St Andrews Agreement between the British and Irish governments and Northern Ireland’s political parties in relation to devolution of power was signed. 1911 Margaret Noble (43), known as Sister Nivedita, Co. Tyrone-born writer, teacher and advocate of Irish and Indian Home Rule, died in West Bengal. 1864 William Pembroke Mulchinock (44), lyricist who wrote … Read more

1981 Oisín Kelly (66), sculptor, notably of ‘The Children of Lir’ in Dublin’s Garden of Remembrance and the monument to James Larkin in O’Connell Street, Dublin, died. 1951 Bartholomew Patrick ‘Bertie’ Ahern, leader of Fianna Fáil (1994–2008), who led three coalition governments, born in Drumcondra, Dublin. 1969 Louise Gavan Duffy (85), revolutionary who served in … Read more