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 October 1921
Publication date:
October 13, 2021
Reference date:
19211013
Stories Included:
1921: Belfast inquests examine six deaths from recent rioting as jurors voice anger over murder, armed gangs and the breakdown of law and order
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
(384 Posts)
Published: November 10, 2020
On This Day – 10th November 1920
Stories Included:
1920: The Irish News pens an impassioned plea for 500,000 people to fight against Partition
Published: November 9, 2020
On This Day – 9th November 1920
Stories Included:
1920: Edward Carson and Bonar Law debate minority rights as partition looms
Published: November 7, 2020
On This Day – 7th November 1970
Stories Included:
1970: Army admits for first time it confronts “organised terrorism” in NI; Sam Devenney controversy
Published: November 6, 2020
On This Day – 6th November 1920
Stories Included:
1920: Omagh controversy over college closure for Terence MacSwiney; new Special Constabulary supremo named; IRA ambush at Ballinalee reportedly claims 17 Black and Tan soldiers
Published: November 5, 2020
On This Day – 5th November 1970
Stories Included:
Late 1970: The rise of the Provisional IRA – petrol bombs give way to machine guns, and NI edges closer to the precipice
Published: November 4, 2020
On This Day – 4th November 1920
Stories Included:
1920: Reports of six RIC fatalities highlighted spiralling violence, as a campaign bigger than “at the height of the Great War” urged loyalists to join the new Special Constabulary
Published: November 3, 2020
On This Day – 3rd November 1920
Stories Included:
1920: Reports of the funeral of Lord Mayor of Cork Terence MacSwiney; big show of sympathy for the hunger-striker in former Home Rule stronghold Ardoyne
Published: November 2, 2020
On This Day – 2nd November 1920
Stories Included:
1920: Grim details reported of medical student Kevin Barry’s execution in Mountjoy Gaol, an event that stirred Irish republican sentiment
Published: October 31, 2020
On This Day – 31st October 1970
Stories Included:
1970: Chichester-Clark concedes ‘one man, one vote’ but many unionists dissent; Nationalists raise the hated 1923 Oath of Allegiance for public sector workers
Published: October 30, 2020
On This Day – 30th October 1970
Stories Included:
1970: Haughey arms trial – calls for an election after defendants acquitted; Ruairí Ó Brádaigh and the birth of Provisional Sinn Fein
Published: October 29, 2020
On This Day – 29th October 1920
Stories Included:
1920: Commons clashes as Joseph Devlin MP challenges Bonar Law over the conduct of the new Special Constables in Ulster
Published: October 28, 2020
On This Day – 28th October 1920
Stories Included:
1920: Joe Devlin attacked Sir Hamar Greenwood in the Commons over press freedom as the Freeman’s Journal faced prosecution