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 – 13th January 1971
Publication date:
January 13, 2021
Reference date:
19710113
Stories Included:
1971: Warnings of instability, political jailing and continued violence — 13 January 1971 reflected the deepening crisis facing Northern Ireland
Latest On This Day Posts
Published: January 13, 2021
On This Day – 13th January 1971
Stories Included:
1971: Warnings of instability, political jailing and continued violence — 13 January 1971 reflected the deepening crisis facing Northern Ireland
Published: January 12, 2021
On This Day – 12th January 1921
Stories Included:
1921: John Doran (26) was taken from his bed near Camlough, Co Armagh, by masked men and shot dead outside his home. A stark example of the escalating violence gripping South Armagh.
Published: January 11, 2021
On This Day – 11th January 1921
Stories Included:
1921: Ireland Secretary Sir Hamar Greenwood claimed Home Rule had brought the Irish Question “out of the fog of words into the sunshine of reality” – quietly omitting the central reality of partition.
Published: January 9, 2021
On This Day – 9th January 1921
Stories Included:
1921: After the killing of Canon Magner, an Auxiliary cadet was declared “guilty but insane.” The Irish News asked why an unstable man had been armed – and who was responsible
Published: January 8, 2021
On This Day – 8th January 1921
Stories Included:
1921: Ambushes, verdicts and raids marked a violent day across Ireland – 8th January 1921 exposed the reach of conflict from Armagh to Belfast
Published: January 7, 2021
On This Day – 7th January 1921
Stories Included:
1921: Critics denounced the Government of Ireland Act as the “worst form of partition”, warning it entrenched permanent division and minority rule in the North
Published: January 6, 2021
On This Day – 6th January 1921
Stories Included:
1921: Specials carried out widespread raids in Tyrone, a constable was charged over a Kerry killing, and reports confirmed de Valera’s return from the US.
Published: January 5, 2021
On This Day – 5th January 1921
Stories Included:
1921: Military bosses in Cork justified the burning of civilian homes after an ambush, whilst Eithne MacSwiney warned bishops that excommunicating IRA members risked alienating ordinary Catholics
Published: January 4, 2021
On This Day – 4th January 1971
Stories Included:
1971: British Cabinet Papers revived debate over Churchill’s 1940 offer of Irish unity in return for Ireland joining the Allies – an offer Éamon de Valera firmly rejected, doubting it was ever a real guarantee
Published: January 2, 2021
On This Day – 2nd January 1971
Stories Included:
1971: MP Tom Gormley condemned conditions in Crumlin Road Gaol, while General Franco reprieved six Basque militants after worldwide protests.
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: January 12, 2021
On This Day – 12th January 1921
Stories Included:
1921: John Doran (26) was taken from his bed near Camlough, Co Armagh, by masked men and shot dead outside his home. A stark example of the escalating violence gripping South Armagh.
Published: January 11, 2021
On This Day – 11th January 1921
Stories Included:
1921: Ireland Secretary Sir Hamar Greenwood claimed Home Rule had brought the Irish Question “out of the fog of words into the sunshine of reality” – quietly omitting the central reality of partition.
Published: January 9, 2021
On This Day – 9th January 1921
Stories Included:
1921: After the killing of Canon Magner, an Auxiliary cadet was declared “guilty but insane.” The Irish News asked why an unstable man had been armed – and who was responsible
Published: January 8, 2021
On This Day – 8th January 1921
Stories Included:
1921: Ambushes, verdicts and raids marked a violent day across Ireland – 8th January 1921 exposed the reach of conflict from Armagh to Belfast
Published: January 7, 2021
On This Day – 7th January 1921
Stories Included:
1921: Critics denounced the Government of Ireland Act as the “worst form of partition”, warning it entrenched permanent division and minority rule in the North
Published: January 6, 2021
On This Day – 6th January 1921
Stories Included:
1921: Specials carried out widespread raids in Tyrone, a constable was charged over a Kerry killing, and reports confirmed de Valera’s return from the US.
Published: January 5, 2021
On This Day – 5th January 1921
Stories Included:
1921: Military bosses in Cork justified the burning of civilian homes after an ambush, whilst Eithne MacSwiney warned bishops that excommunicating IRA members risked alienating ordinary Catholics
Published: January 4, 2021
On This Day – 4th January 1971
Stories Included:
1971: British Cabinet Papers revived debate over Churchill’s 1940 offer of Irish unity in return for Ireland joining the Allies – an offer Éamon de Valera firmly rejected, doubting it was ever a real guarantee
Published: January 2, 2021
On This Day – 2nd January 1971
Stories Included:
1971: MP Tom Gormley condemned conditions in Crumlin Road Gaol, while General Franco reprieved six Basque militants after worldwide protests.
Published: January 1, 2021
On This Day – 1st January 1971
Stories Included:
1971: the Catholic Church appoints its first chaplain to the Northern Ireland Parliament. Belfast businessman Andrew Jardin of Blackmountain quarries is shot dead during a robbery