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 – 29th October 1971
Publication date:
October 29, 2021
Reference date:
19711029
Stories Included:
1971: John Hume rejects Stormont’s authority at Dungiven, a bomb devastates Larne police station, Belfast mourns two sisters and Faulkner appoints a Catholic minister
Latest On This Day Posts
Published: June 25, 2021
On This Day – 25th June 1921
Stories Included:
1921: an IRA attack derailed a royal troop train at Adavoyle, killing soldiers, horses and the train guard Frank Gallagher
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
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: May 27, 2021
On This Day – 27th May 1921
Stories Included:
1921: Belfast’s Partition election is marred by mob violence and intimidation as Anti-Partition voters face attacks at polling stations across the city
Published: May 26, 2021
On This Day – 26th May 1921
Stories Included:
1921: Éamon de Valera appeals to Ulster voters to reject Partition while reports emerge of intimidation and controversy involving Specials in Co. Derry
Published: May 25, 2021
On This Day – 25th May 1971
Stories Included:
1971: a bomb attack blasted a crowded British Legion Hall in Belfast while Stormont fears during the 1969 unrest were revealed.
Published: May 24, 2021
On This Day – 24th May 1921
Stories Included:
1921: Police are ambushed in Tyrone while Sinn Féin and Nationalist leaders intensify efforts to unite voters against Partition before the elections
Published: May 22, 2021
On This Day – 22nd May 1971
Stories Included:
1971: Riots erupt in Belfast’s New Lodge area amid accusations against Scottish troops while civil rights MP Frank McManus is released from jail
Published: May 21, 2021
On This Day – 21st May 1921
Stories Included:
1921: A Catholic farmer is murdered in Tyrone while Joseph Devlin intensifies the Nationalist campaign against Partition ahead of elections
Published: May 20, 2021
On This Day – 20th May 1971
Stories Included:
1971: Judge Walter Topping faces accusations of bigotry, while new research reveals the scale of displacement caused by Belfast’s 1969 violence
Published: May 19, 2021
On This Day – 19th May 1921
Stories Included:
1921: Loyalist crowds seize the Ulster Hall to block Labour candidates, while Derry nationalists refuse to welcome the new Viceroy of Ireland
Published: May 18, 2021
On This Day – 18th May 1921
Stories Included:
1921: Four people are killed leaving a tennis party in Galway, while ambushes, shootings and executions intensify across Ireland during the conflict
Published: May 17, 2021
On This Day – 17th May 1921
Stories Included:
1921: violence intensified across Munster with a horrifying series of deaths, an armoured car was seized in Dublin, and prominent nationalist lawyer Vesey Knox died
Published: May 15, 2021
On This Day – 15th May 1971
Stories Included:
1971: Stormont faces criticism over weapons sold to former Specials while students protest the Unionist-themed ‘Ulster 71’ exhibition in Belfast
Published: May 14, 2021
On This Day – 14th May 1921
Stories Included:
1921: Sinn Féin sweeps the Southern elections while anti-Partition candidates prepare to contest the new Northern Parliament elections