May
14 1734
Richard Cantillon, Kerry-born economist regarded as the first major economic ‘theorist’ and acclaimed author of Essai sur la nature du commerce en général (c. 1730), was murdered in his London home by his cook.
15 1910
The Association of United Irishwomen, renamed the Irish Countrywomen’s Association (ICA) in 1934, which sought to provide rural women with a social outlet and educational opportunities, was founded by Anita Lett in Ballindara, Co. Wexford.
18 1960
Sir Robert McCarrison, County Armagh-born medical scientist and world authority on the nature of deficiency diseases such as goitre and cretinism, died.
22 1600
A week after disembarking at Culmore, where he built a fort, Sir Henry Docwra advanced up the Foyle and laid the foundations of the modern city of Derry.
23 1910
Mary Eva Kelly, widow of the Young Irelander Kevin Izod O’Doherty (d. 1905) and poet, known as ‘Eva of the Nation’, who contributed patriotic verse and poetry to The Nation and other nationalist periodicals, died in poverty in Brisbane.
25 1315
The Bruce invasion of Ireland began when Edward, younger brother of Robert Bruce, king of Scotland, landed in Larne, Co. Antrim, with 6,000 battle-hardened troops.
26 1848
John Mitchel, Young Irelander, was convicted by a packed jury on a charge of treason-felony and sentenced to fourteen years’ transportation. He began his Jail Journal the following day.
28 1970
Ex-Fianna Fáil ministers Charles J. Haughey and Neil Blaney, who had been dismissed by Taoiseach Jack Lynch three weeks earlier, were charged with conspiring to import arms and ammunition. Also charged were Captain James Kelly, a former Army intelligence officer, John Kelly, a prominent Belfast Republican, and Albert Luyckx, a Belgian businessman.
29 1660
Charles II entered London, marking the restoration of the monarchy. He had been proclaimed king of Ireland on 14 May.
June
3 1970
Ex-minister Kevin Boland was expelled from the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party following his refusal to withdraw remarks about Taoiseach Jack Lynch’s ‘unparalleled treachery’.
4 1820
Henry Grattan, outstanding orator and dominant figure in the Irish parliament (1782–1800), died.
7 1910
Sir William Francis Butler, Tipperary-born lieutenant-general in the British Army, writer of adventure stories and latterly a supporter of the Gaelic League and Home Rule, died.
13 1990
Captain Terence O’Neill, latterly Lord O’Neill of the Maine, prime minister of Northern Ireland (1963–9), died.
15 1815
Howard Egan, sailor, policeman, personal bodyguard to Mormon founder John Smith and divisional superintendent with the Pony Express (established 150 years ago in April 1860), born in Tullamore, Co. Offaly.
19 1631
Barbary pirates, led by Captain Matthew Rice, sacked the coastal town of Baltimore, Co. Cork, killing 47 and taking 107 men, women and children into captivity.
20 1210
King John landed in Waterford with 7,000 knights, archers and foot soldiers—the greatest army yet seen in Ireland. His immediate mission was to break the power of the rebellious William de Braose, lord of Limerick.
25 1970
The Irish Catholic hierarchy lifted its ban on Catholics attending Trinity College, Dublin.
27 1970
The Provisional IRA were in action for the first time, mortally wounding four Protestants and losing one of their own members in a gun battle in the Short Strand area of Belfast.
28 1920
Members of ‘B’ and ‘C’ companies of the Connaught Rangers mutinied in the Punjab in protest against British atrocities in Ireland. Private James Daly was subsequently court-martialled and executed; other mutineers were sentenced to penal servitude.