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 – 10th November 1921
Publication date:
November 10, 2021
Reference date:
19211110
Stories Included:
1921: James Craig summons his Cabinet to London following talks with Lloyd George, while Collins and Gavan Duffy consult de Valera amid uncertainty over partition
Latest On This Day Posts
Published: October 20, 2021
On This Day – 20th October 1921
Stories Included:
1921: Tyrone solicitors protest against Partition, a judge confronts its legal complexities, an ex-Special is sentenced for stealing revolvers and Joseph Connolly becomes Irish Consul in New York
Published: October 19, 2021
On This Day – 19th October 1921
Stories Included:
1921: James Craig is seen as holding the key as the London Conference approaches partition, while the Ulster Volunteers drill and arguments intensify over the six counties
Published: October 18, 2021
On This Day – 18th October 1921
Stories Included:
1921: James Craig vows to resist changes to the six counties, Fermanagh and Tyrone become central to negotiations and plans emerge to reorganise the Ulster Volunteer Force
Published: October 16, 2021
On This Day – 16th October 1921
Stories Included:
1921: Catholic schoolchildren face violent sectarian attacks in Belfast, while a Labour delegation prepares to highlight the expulsion of workers at a Trafalgar Square demonstration
Published: October 15, 2021
On This Day – 15th October 1971
Stories Included:
1971: Brian Faulkner rejects William Craig’s vision of an independent Ulster as Ian Paisley attacks his security policy, while a new peace line divides Belfast’s Lenadoon Avenue
Published: October 14, 2021
On This Day – 14th October 1921
Stories Included:
1921: Truce disputes shadow the Irish Conference, Sinn Féin presses for the release of internees, the RIC faces possible disbandment and partition causes tensions in Silesia
Published: October 13, 2021
On This Day – 13th October 1921
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
Published: October 12, 2021
On This Day – 12th October 1971
Stories Included:
1971: Bob Cooper links the rise of the Provisional IRA to failed reforms and insecurity, while Roy Bradford warns that continuing unrest threatens economic bankruptcy
Published: October 11, 2021
On This Day – 11th October 1921
Stories Included:
1921: Patrick Hagan describes a brutal raid on his Dungannon home allegedly carried out by Specials, while Monaghan County Council discusses Republican ratepayers in arrears
Published: October 9, 2021
On This Day – 9th October 1921
Stories Included:
1921: Irish delegates arrive in London for the Peace Conference to a huge welcome, while a Catholic Belfast family reports a frightening encounter with suspected Specials
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: October 14, 2021
On This Day – 14th October 1921
Stories Included:
1921: Truce disputes shadow the Irish Conference, Sinn Féin presses for the release of internees, the RIC faces possible disbandment and partition causes tensions in Silesia
Published: October 13, 2021
On This Day – 13th October 1921
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
Published: October 12, 2021
On This Day – 12th October 1971
Stories Included:
1971: Bob Cooper links the rise of the Provisional IRA to failed reforms and insecurity, while Roy Bradford warns that continuing unrest threatens economic bankruptcy
Published: October 11, 2021
On This Day – 11th October 1921
Stories Included:
1921: Patrick Hagan describes a brutal raid on his Dungannon home allegedly carried out by Specials, while Monaghan County Council discusses Republican ratepayers in arrears
Published: October 9, 2021
On This Day – 9th October 1921
Stories Included:
1921: Irish delegates arrive in London for the Peace Conference to a huge welcome, while a Catholic Belfast family reports a frightening encounter with suspected Specials
Published: October 8, 2021
On This Day – 8th October 1971
Stories Included:
1971: Conn McCluskey warns that nonviolent civil rights influence is declining, while concerns are raised over the emergence of a defence association in Rathcoole
Published: October 7, 2021
On This Day – 7th October 1921
Stories Included:
1921: Éamon de Valera decides not to attend the London negotiations, while a County Antrim deputation meets him in Dublin to protest against partition
Published: October 6, 2021
On This Day – 6th October 1921
Stories Included:
1921: Unionists fear betrayal before the Anglo-Irish Conference, Bessbrook students are refused an Irish class and Robert Lynn raises the prospect of another UVF
Published: October 5, 2021
On This Day – 5th October 1971
Stories Included:
1971: Bishop William Philbin condemns military action at St Agnes’ Church during Mass, while Catholic families leave Belfast’s Donegall Pass amid reports of intimidation
Published: October 4, 2021
On This Day – 4th October 1971
Stories Included:
1971: The Four Step Inn bombing is condemned, a jury divides over an incitement to hatred charge and Brian Faulkner faces mounting pressure as Stormont returns
Published: October 2, 2021
On This Day – 2nd October 1921
Stories Included:
1921: Richard Mulcahy warns the IRA to prepare for renewed war, a British officer is fatally shot in Galway and four prisoners escape from the Curragh
Published: October 1, 2021
On This Day – 1st October 1921
Stories Included:
1921: Dawson Bates praises the Special Constabulary, while Catholics and Nationalists in Cookstown organise in response to violence, intimidation and attacks in the surrounding area