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 – 8th November 1921
Publication date:
November 8, 2021
Reference date:
19211108
Stories Included:
1921: Unionists seek to overturn an Enniskillen housing scheme amid severe shortages, while a Belfast court awards compensation for a home wrecked by a mob
Latest On This Day Posts
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
Published: September 16, 2021
On This Day – 16th September 1971
Stories Included:
1971: Civil rights activists are released from internment, John Hume calls for an end to street violence and Desmond Boal resigns from the Unionist Party
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 16, 2021
On This Day – 16th September 1971
Stories Included:
1971: Civil rights activists are released from internment, John Hume calls for an end to street violence and Desmond Boal resigns from the Unionist Party
Published: September 15, 2021
On This Day – 15th September 1921
Stories Included:
1921: The Dáil chooses its negotiators for possible talks with Britain, Queen’s students reject an education invitation and preparations continue for new Northern courts
Published: September 14, 2021
On This Day – 14th September 1921
Stories Included:
1921: Limerick’s Deputy Mayor demands answers over the murders of George Clancy and Michael O’Callaghan, while an editorial reflects on the declining power of landed magnates
Published: September 13, 2021
On This Day – 13th September 1971
Stories Included:
1971: Cardinal Conway and the Northern Catholic bishops condemn violence and internment, while more than 15,000 people attend an anti-internment rally at Casement Park
Published: September 11, 2021
On This Day – 11th September 1921
Stories Included:
1921: A man faces an attempted shooting charge following a Coalisland pipe band incident, while two Special Constables are charged after an attack on licensed premises
Published: September 10, 2021
On This Day – 10th September 1971
Stories Included:
1971: The anti-internment rent strike escalates, Paddy Devlin rejects a return to Stormont and bomb disposal expert Captain David Stewardson is killed near Lisburn
Published: September 9, 2021
On This Day – 9th September 1921
Stories Included:
1921: Representatives from South and East Down meet Éamon de Valera and the Dáil Cabinet to voice their opposition to partition and a separate administration
Published: September 8, 2021
On This Day – 8th September 1921
Stories Included:
1921: British ministers gather for a crucial Cabinet meeting in Inverness as peace negotiations face renewed danger and Éamon de Valera challenges the British position
Published: September 7, 2021
On This Day – 7th September 1971
Stories Included:
1971: Annette McGavigan is killed in Derry crossfire, 50 schools prepare to close in protest at internment and baby Angela Gallagher is buried
Published: September 6, 2021
On This Day – 6th September 1971
Stories Included:
1971: The killing of baby Angela Gallagher brings widespread revulsion, a UDR man is shot dead and Jack Lynch and Edward Heath prepare for talks at Chequers
Published: September 4, 2021
On This Day – 4th September 1921
Stories Included:
1921: Michael Collins receives a remarkable Armagh welcome, promises Northern nationalists they will not be deserted and calls for Unionists to join the rest of Ireland
Published: September 3, 2021
On This Day – 3rd September 1971
Stories Included:
1971: An inquiry examines allegations of Army brutality, four Belfast bombs injure dozens and Ian Paisley calls for a new force like the Ulster Special Constabulary