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 – 1st November 1921
Publication date:
November 1, 2021
Reference date:
19211101
Stories Included:
1921: Belfast merchants protest the economic damage caused by the Belfast Boycott, reporting lost trade, intimidation and growing commercial barriers between north and south
Latest On This Day Posts
Published: July 19, 2021
On This Day – 19th July 1921
Stories Included:
1921: A respected County Antrim magistrate is accidentally shot dead while the Independent Orange Order voices remarkable opposition to the Partition of Ireland
Published: July 17, 2021
On This Day – 17th July 1971
Stories Included:
1971: The IRA stages a dramatic hospital rescue while the SDLP confirms its withdrawal from Stormont, marking a major turning point in Northern Ireland politics
Published: July 16, 2021
On This Day – 16th July 1971
Stories Included:
1971: Jack Lynch and Brian Faulkner exchange sharply contrasting visions for Ireland as the Nationalist Party supports the SDLP’s planned Stormont withdrawal
Published: July 15, 2021
On This Day – 15th July 1921
Stories Included:
1921: Violence continues across Belfast despite the Truce while Éamon de Valera and David Lloyd George begin historic peace negotiations in London
Published: July 14, 2021
On This Day – 14th July 1971
Stories Included:
1971: Another British soldier is killed in Belfast as the SDLP moves towards abandoning Stormont and Northern Ireland’s tourism industry suffers
Published: July 13, 2021
On This Day – 13th July 1921
Stories Included:
1921: Despite the all-Ireland Truce, Belfast erupts into deadly violence as gun battles, arson attacks and sectarian killings leave the city in turmoil
Published: July 12, 2021
On This Day – 12th July 1971
Stories Included:
1971: The SDLP threatens to leave Stormont over the Derry shootings as bomb attacks hit Belfast and Jack Lynch renews calls for Irish unity
Published: July 10, 2021
On This Day – 10th July 1971
Stories Included:
1971: Two civilians are shot dead in Derry as John Hume demands an inquiry and Stormont debates the worsening security crisis
Published: July 9, 2021
On This Day – 9th July 1971
Stories Included:
1971: Catholic families flee intimidation in Belfast while Stormont unveils a major financial rescue package for the Belfast shipyard
Published: July 8, 2021
On This Day – 8th July 1921
Stories Included:
1921: the Southern Parliament met in Dublin, Clogher reprisals followed the Daisy Hill burning and Loughguile won the postponed Antrim hurling championship in Ballycastle
On This Day Posts by Year
Please select a year to see the series of articles written by Éamon.
Latest On This Day Posts
(384 Posts)
Published: June 24, 2021
On This Day – 24th June 1971
Stories Included:
1971: Brian Faulkner offered opposition MPs Stormont committee roles, General Tuzo denounced IRA tactics, and injured toddler Paul McGeown began regaining sight
Published: June 23, 2021
On This Day – 23rd June 1921
Stories Included:
1921: King George V opened the Northern Parliament in Belfast, delivering an “olive branch” speech urging Irish people towards peace, conciliation and goodwill
Published: June 22, 2021
On This Day – 22nd June 1921
Stories Included:
1921: Rev James McKeone condemned the Dundalk murders, while Cahir Healy accused the Local Government Board of gerrymandering Fermanagh councils
Published: June 21, 2021
On This Day – 21st June 1921
Stories Included:
1921: Bishop MacRory condemns conditions facing Belfast Catholics while raiders attempt to destroy the legendary birthplace of the Ulster hero Cú Chulainn
Published: June 19, 2021
On This Day – 19th June 1921
Stories Included:
1921: Catholic families are driven from their homes in Belfast as sectarian violence intensifies ahead of the Twelfth and the royal visit to open N. Ireland’s parliament
Published: June 18, 2021
On This Day – 18th June 1921
Stories Included:
1921: The tragic fate of a kidnapped RIC inspector revealed as details emerge of a failed prisoner exchange and execution during the War of Independence.
Published: June 17, 2021
On This Day – 17th June 1921
Stories Included:
1921: An inquest examines the death of Belfast schoolgirl Lena Kelly while preparations gather pace for King George V’s visit to open Parliament
Published: June 16, 2021
On This Day – 16th June 1921
Stories Included:
1921: Sectarian tensions erupt during Belfast funeral processions while an elderly clergyman is murdered as Partition preparations gather pace
Published: June 15, 2021
On This Day – 15th June 1921
Stories Included:
1921: Joseph Devlin confronts the Government over Belfast reprisals, alleging Crown force involvement in a series of controversial killings
Published: June 14, 2021
On This Day – 14th June 1971
Stories Included:
1971: Orangemen clash with troops after defying a parade ban in Dungiven while community leaders examine the challenges facing Ballymurphy
Published: June 12, 2021
On This Day – 12th June 1921
Stories Included:
1921: On 12 June, reports told how three Belfast men were abducted and murdered in brutal reprisals following an attack on RIC officers
Published: June 11, 2021
On This Day – 11th June 1921
Stories Included:
1921: An RIC constable is killed in Belfast while Presbyterian minister Rev J.B. Armour launches a remarkable attack on Partition and the new parliament