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 – 9th November 1971
Publication date:
November 9, 2021
Reference date:
19711109
Stories Included:
1971: Kathleen Thompson is shot dead in Derry, Faulkner claims gunmen are waning, CS gas strikes MP Ivan Cooper’s home and troops provoke unrest in Carrickmore
Latest On This Day Posts
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
Published: September 30, 2021
On This Day – 30th September 1971
Stories Included:
1971: Two men die in the Four Step Inn bombing, Jack Lynch hails the Chequers talks as a breakthrough and Ireland’s bishops condemn violence and injustice
Published: September 29, 2021
On This Day – 29th September 1921
Stories Included:
1921: A Belfast funeral descends into serious sectarian disorder, while a deputation representing 100,000 citizens urges Éamon de Valera and the Dáil to reject partition
Published: September 28, 2021
On This Day – 28th September 1971
Stories Included:
1971: David Bleakley resigns over internment, Tom Gormley condemns conditions at Long Kesh and thousands attend the funerals of Rose Curry and Gerard O’Hare
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 30, 2021
On This Day – 30th September 1971
Stories Included:
1971: Two men die in the Four Step Inn bombing, Jack Lynch hails the Chequers talks as a breakthrough and Ireland’s bishops condemn violence and injustice
Published: September 29, 2021
On This Day – 29th September 1921
Stories Included:
1921: A Belfast funeral descends into serious sectarian disorder, while a deputation representing 100,000 citizens urges Éamon de Valera and the Dáil to reject partition
Published: September 28, 2021
On This Day – 28th September 1971
Stories Included:
1971: David Bleakley resigns over internment, Tom Gormley condemns conditions at Long Kesh and thousands attend the funerals of Rose Curry and Gerard O’Hare
Published: September 27, 2021
On This Day – 27th September 1921
Stories Included:
1921: The B Specials return to Belfast’s streets as families are driven from their homes, and thugs target Catholic-owned businesses and individuals from both communities
Published: September 25, 2021
On This Day – 25th September 1971
Stories Included:
1971: Harold Wilson attacks internment, three people are wounded in a Belfast shooting, Ardoyne residents protest over Paratroopers and Oliver Napier highlights widespread intimidation
Published: September 24, 2021
On This Day – 24th September 1971
Stories Included:
1971: Pressure grows for a new system of government, Gerry Fitt signals willingness to negotiate, two young people die in a Belfast explosion and a cleric offers IRA talks
Published: September 23, 2021
On This Day – 23rd September 1921
Stories Included:
1921: Catholic ex-servicemen working on a relief scheme in east Belfast are singled out in a brutal sectarian attack on the Newtownards Road
Published: September 22, 2021
On This Day – 22nd September 1921
Stories Included:
1921: County Derry representatives protest against partition to Éamon de Valera, a Belfast man faces charges over stolen revolvers and an anti-boycott campaign emerges
Published: September 21, 2021
On This Day – 21st September 1921
Stories Included:
1921: Unionists accuse the IRA of exploiting the Truce and demand greater security powers, while a Derry deputation tells Éamon de Valera it opposes partition
Published: September 20, 2021
On This Day – 20th September 1971
Stories Included:
1971: Opposition representatives announce an alternative assembly, disabled children are injured in a petrol-bomb attack and internees are transferred to Long Kesh
Published: September 18, 2021
On This Day – 18th September 1921
Stories Included:
1921: A British Trades Union Congress report examines the Belfast workplace expulsions, the violence that followed and whether employers could have acted to maintain discipline
Published: September 17, 2021
On This Day – 17th September 1921
Stories Included:
1921: Armagh representatives take their opposition to partition to Éamon de Valera, while renewed sniping in Belfast leaves three more casualties around North Queen Street