1971 In an interview with the BBC, Taoiseach Jack Lynch stated that the constitutional claim by the Republic to jurisdiction over the six counties of Northern Ireland was fundamental and could not be abandoned. 1976 Secretary of State Merlyn Rees announced the ending of special- category status for political prisoners in Northern Ireland.
1920 Nancy Astor, Unionist (now Conservative) MP, became the first woman to speak in Britain’s House of Commons. 1969 General election in Northern Ireland. Unionists won 36 seats, of which 24 were pro-Terence O’Neill and twelve against. O’Neill himself had a narrow victory over Ian Paisley, standing as a ‘Protestant Unionist’. John Hume defeated Nationalist … Read more
1916 The British Military Service Act introduced conscription, initially for single men aged 18–41, with various exemptions. An attempt over two years later to extend it to Ireland was dropped in the face of massive nationalist opposition. 1973 Under the terms of the Paris Accords, a ceasefire agreement was signed by all the contending parties … Read more
1816 John O’Mahoney, founder of American Fenianism and scholar who translated Geoffrey Keating’s Foras feasa ar Éirinn, born in Kilbeheny, Co. Limerick. 1923 Senator Oliver St John Gogarty escaped capture by republicans by swimming the Liffey. He presented two swans to the river in gratitude.
1719 Spranger Barry, an actor who rivalled Garrick on the London stage, described as ‘the wonder and darling of every audience’, born in Skinner’s Row (Christ Church Place), Dublin. 1975 General Francisco Franco (83), El Caudillo, dictator of Spain since 1939, died. 1936 General Eoin O’Duffy led c. 600 Blueshirt followers to Spain as an … Read more