On This Day
One of the many things Dr Éamon was renowned for was his On This Day column in the Irish News.
Expertly chosen, the column chose a day in history and brought it in its significance to the modern reader.
The column was usually placed down the right-hand side of a news or features page, and the page number varied from edition to edition.
But wherever it was placed, the mix was variously enlightening, eclectic, sometimes sad, but always interesting.
Éamon loved doing the column, from the 1980s right up to late 2022. On This Day continues in the Irish News to this day under a new author.
These items are an invaluable historical record – old reports curated by an expert and brought to life again in modern media.
Over time we plan to greatly add to this collection of Éamon’s On This Day contributions. We are very thankful to Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs and the Magill Trust for funding this project.
Please note: The Foundation has worked hard to recreate Eamon’s distinctive voice through AI. Since this is an emerging technology, occasional imperfections may be audible.
On This Day – 27th September 1921
Publication date:
September 27, 2021
Reference date:
19210927
Stories Included:
1921: The B Specials return to Belfast’s streets as families are driven from their homes, and thugs target Catholic-owned businesses and individuals from both communities
Latest On This Day Posts
Published: September 27, 2021
On This Day – 27th September 1921
Stories Included:
1921: The B Specials return to Belfast’s streets as families are driven from their homes, and thugs target Catholic-owned businesses and individuals from both communities
Published: September 25, 2021
On This Day – 25th September 1971
Stories Included:
1971: Harold Wilson attacks internment, three people are wounded in a Belfast shooting, Ardoyne residents protest over Paratroopers and Oliver Napier highlights widespread intimidation
Published: September 24, 2021
On This Day – 24th September 1971
Stories Included:
1971: Pressure grows for a new system of government, Gerry Fitt signals willingness to negotiate, two young people die in a Belfast explosion and a cleric offers IRA talks
Published: September 23, 2021
On This Day – 23rd September 1921
Stories Included:
1921: Catholic ex-servicemen working on a relief scheme in east Belfast are singled out in a brutal sectarian attack on the Newtownards Road
Published: September 22, 2021
On This Day – 22nd September 1921
Stories Included:
1921: County Derry representatives protest against partition to Éamon de Valera, a Belfast man faces charges over stolen revolvers and an anti-boycott campaign emerges
Published: September 21, 2021
On This Day – 21st September 1921
Stories Included:
1921: Unionists accuse the IRA of exploiting the Truce and demand greater security powers, while a Derry deputation tells Éamon de Valera it opposes partition
Published: September 20, 2021
On This Day – 20th September 1971
Stories Included:
1971: Opposition representatives announce an alternative assembly, disabled children are injured in a petrol-bomb attack and internees are transferred to Long Kesh
Published: September 18, 2021
On This Day – 18th September 1921
Stories Included:
1921: A British Trades Union Congress report examines the Belfast workplace expulsions, the violence that followed and whether employers could have acted to maintain discipline
Published: September 17, 2021
On This Day – 17th September 1921
Stories Included:
1921: Armagh representatives take their opposition to partition to Éamon de Valera, while renewed sniping in Belfast leaves three more casualties around North Queen Street
Published: September 16, 2021
On This Day – 16th September 1971
Stories Included:
1971: Civil rights activists are released from internment, John Hume calls for an end to street violence and Desmond Boal resigns from the Unionist Party
On This Day Posts by Year
Please select a year to see the series of articles written by Éamon.
Latest On This Day Posts
Published: September 25, 2021
On This Day – 25th September 1971
Stories Included:
1971: Harold Wilson attacks internment, three people are wounded in a Belfast shooting, Ardoyne residents protest over Paratroopers and Oliver Napier highlights widespread intimidation
Published: September 24, 2021
On This Day – 24th September 1971
Stories Included:
1971: Pressure grows for a new system of government, Gerry Fitt signals willingness to negotiate, two young people die in a Belfast explosion and a cleric offers IRA talks
Published: September 23, 2021
On This Day – 23rd September 1921
Stories Included:
1921: Catholic ex-servicemen working on a relief scheme in east Belfast are singled out in a brutal sectarian attack on the Newtownards Road
Published: September 22, 2021
On This Day – 22nd September 1921
Stories Included:
1921: County Derry representatives protest against partition to Éamon de Valera, a Belfast man faces charges over stolen revolvers and an anti-boycott campaign emerges
Published: September 21, 2021
On This Day – 21st September 1921
Stories Included:
1921: Unionists accuse the IRA of exploiting the Truce and demand greater security powers, while a Derry deputation tells Éamon de Valera it opposes partition
Published: September 20, 2021
On This Day – 20th September 1971
Stories Included:
1971: Opposition representatives announce an alternative assembly, disabled children are injured in a petrol-bomb attack and internees are transferred to Long Kesh
Published: September 18, 2021
On This Day – 18th September 1921
Stories Included:
1921: A British Trades Union Congress report examines the Belfast workplace expulsions, the violence that followed and whether employers could have acted to maintain discipline
Published: September 17, 2021
On This Day – 17th September 1921
Stories Included:
1921: Armagh representatives take their opposition to partition to Éamon de Valera, while renewed sniping in Belfast leaves three more casualties around North Queen Street
Published: September 16, 2021
On This Day – 16th September 1971
Stories Included:
1971: Civil rights activists are released from internment, John Hume calls for an end to street violence and Desmond Boal resigns from the Unionist Party
Published: September 15, 2021
On This Day – 15th September 1921
Stories Included:
1921: The Dáil chooses its negotiators for possible talks with Britain, Queen’s students reject an education invitation and preparations continue for new Northern courts