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 – 6th November 1971
Publication date:
November 6, 2021
Reference date:
19711106
Stories Included:
1971: Westminster considers changes to Northern Ireland’s government as Faulkner resists, two die in an Ormeau pub bombing and further explosions damage premises in Fermanagh and Belfast
Latest On This Day Posts
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
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 2, 2021
On This Day – 2nd September 1921
Stories Included:
1921: Troops restore relative calm after a week of Belfast violence, Eoin O’Duffy warns of continuing danger and entrepreneur John Robb dies
Published: September 1, 2021
On This Day – 1st September 1921
Stories Included:
1921: Eight more people die as fierce fighting spreads across Belfast, with armed mobs, sniper fire and attacks bringing violence into the city centre
Published: August 31, 2021
On This Day – 31st August 1921
Stories Included:
1921: Six people are killed and more than 30 wounded as fierce fighting, sniper fire and attacks on homes grip districts across North Belfast
Published: August 30, 2021
On This Day – 30th August 1921
Stories Included:
1921: Derry Corporation rejects Partition, E M Archdale defends his appointment of a Catholic official and a Tyrone bandsman dies following a shooting
Published: August 28, 2021
On This Day – 28th August 1971
Stories Included:
1971: Harold Wilson criticises internment, John Hume reports strong support for withholding rents and rates, and teachers strengthen their campaign of civil disobedience
Published: August 27, 2021
On This Day – 27th August 1971
Stories Included:
1971: A bomb at Belfast’s Electricity Offices kills Harry Beggs and injures dozens, while doctors, solicitors and businesses join an anti-internment strike in Enniskillen
Published: August 26, 2021
On This Day – 26th August 1971
Stories Included:
1971: The death toll reaches 90, Faulkner defends internment, Paddy Devlin rejects Stormont and more than 100 Maidstone detainees continue their hunger strike
Published: August 25, 2021
On This Day – 25th August 1921
Stories Included:
1921: Eoin O’Duffy defends IRA patrols and reveals the recovery of stolen bank money while Lloyd George rejects claims that prisoners received an amnesty
Published: August 24, 2021
On This Day – 24th August 1921
Stories Included:
1921: Éamon de Valera rejects British proposals for Dominion Status while Lloyd George refuses Ireland’s right to secede and James Craig insists Ulster be left alone
Published: August 23, 2021
On This Day – 23rd August 1921
Stories Included:
1921: An inquest examines Constable Timothy Galvin’s killing while Presbyterian minister Rev James Irwin receives a mild rebuke over his political activities in America
Published: August 21, 2021
On This Day – 21st August 1971
Stories Included:
1971: Edward Heath and Jack Lynch clash over Northern Ireland as Catholic representatives resign their Derry positions and John Hume calls for an anti-repression rally
Published: August 20, 2021
On This Day – 20th August 1921
Stories Included:
1921: An inquest into the death of 13-year-old Mary McGowan finds that she died after being fired at by the Special Constabulary