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 – 7th October 1921
Publication date:
October 7, 2021
Reference date:
19211007
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
Latest On This Day Posts
Published: November 13, 2020
On This Day – 13th November 1970
Stories Included:
1970: Stormont controversy over Ulster ’71 – come join the fun’ promotion as violence escalates
Published: November 12, 2020
On This Day – 12th November 1920
Stories Included:
1920: Lloyd George defends Partition, but ‘quintessential southern unionist’ Carson condemns the abandonment of southern Protestants
Published: November 11, 2020
On This Day – 11th November 1970
Stories Included:
1970: Arrests in Louth show IRA training camps are operating in the Republic
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
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: September 1, 2020
On This Day – 1st September 1920
Stories Included:
York Street Riot, Carson in Negotiations
Published: August 31, 2020
On This Day – 31st August 1920
Stories Included:
Five shot dead in Belfast’s Oldpark, Vicar lashes “devil” sectarian riots
Published: August 29, 2020
On This Day – 29 August 1970
Stories Included:
Farewell to Presbyterian Peacemaker Rev Roy Hill
Published: August 28, 2020
On This Day – 28th August 1920
Stories Included:
East Belfast Aflame, Lisburn Swanzy Murder – Arrests, RIC Man Killed in Drumquin, County Tyrone
Published: August 27, 2020
On This Day – 27th August 1970
Stories Included:
Craig in Guns Promise, ‘Liberal’ minister quits, RUC Arms Issue, Houses and Jobs for Derry
Published: August 26, 2020
On This Day – 26th August 1920
Stories Included:
Sectarian mob attacks in East Belfast, Protestant Ministers save Catholic Property, Southern Protestants’ Condemn NI Sectarian Violence
Published: August 25, 2020
On This Day – 25th August 1920
Stories Included:
Lisburn’s nightmare after sectarian mob attacks, Refugees seek help
Published: August 24, 2020
On This Day – 24th August 1920
Stories Included:
Mobs avenge IRA murder of Detective Inspector Swanzy in Lisburn
Published: August 22, 2020
On This Day – 22nd August 1970
Stories Included:
Gerry Fitt launches ‘radical’ new political party for NI, Plan for new Roddy McCorley monument in Toome
Published: August 21, 2020
On This Day – 21st August 1920
Stories Included:
Sectarian Terror in Banbridge, Lord Mayor of Cork on hunger strike
Published: August 20, 2020
On This Day – 20th August 1970
Stories Included:
Gerry Fitt talks about new left-wing political party, Arming of RUC members discussed
Published: August 19, 2020
On This Day – 19th August 1920
Stories Included:
Carson branded ‘Sir Edward the Nihilist’ by London paper, South Armagh Attack on Police Recalled