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 – 5th November 1921
Publication date:
November 5, 2021
Reference date:
19211105
Stories Included:
1921: Uniformed Specials sing sectarian songs on Belfast trams, poet Joseph Campbell alleges corruption in Wicklow and Belfast barrister Frances Kyle takes first place
Latest On This Day Posts
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
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
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: August 19, 2021
On This Day – 19th August 1971
Stories Included:
1971: John Hume and Ivan Cooper are arrested as opposition to internment deepens, Catholic UDR members consider resigning and Gerry Fitt backs civil protest
Published: August 18, 2021
On This Day – 18th August 1971
Stories Included:
1971: Fresh allegations of detainee mistreatment deepen opposition to internment as Cardinal Conway and released prisoners challenge the conduct of the security forces
Published: August 17, 2021
On This Day – 17th August 1921
Stories Included:
1921: The Raglan Street ambush inquest hears dramatic testimony as six B Specials are charged in connection with the killing of a County Tyrone farmer
Published: August 16, 2021
On This Day – 16th August 1971
Stories Included:
1971: Civil disobedience against internment gathers support, priests rescue an off-duty RUC officer in Derry and Cardinal Conway condemns internment without trial
Published: August 14, 2021
On This Day – 14th August 1971
Stories Included:
1971: Joe Cahill appears before the world press, the Army claims the IRA is nearly defeated and Brian Faulkner attacks Jack Lynch’s government
Published: August 13, 2021
On This Day – 13th August 1971
Stories Included:
1971: Jack Lynch calls for Stormont’s replacement as Fr Hugh Mullan is buried, political protests widen and detention orders continue after internment
Published: August 12, 2021
On This Day – 12th August 1971
Stories Included:
1971: As the death toll rises, thousands flee Belfast and Bryson Street is abandoned while growing criticism is directed at the handling of internment
Published: August 11, 2021
On This Day – 11th August 1921
Stories Included:
1921: Seán MacEoin’s release eases fears for the peace negotiations as Dáil members leave internment camps and prison conditions come under scrutiny
Published: August 10, 2021
On This Day – 10th August 1971
Stories Included:
1971: The aftermath of internment brings killings, mass arrests, burned homes and a growing humanitarian crisis as Northern Ireland descends into violence
Published: August 9, 2021
On This Day – 9th August 1971
Stories Included:
1971: Violence escalates across Belfast as peace appeals over the Derry march accompany stark warnings that Northern Ireland is approaching disaster
Published: August 7, 2021
On This Day – 7th August 1921
Stories Included:
1921: The continued detention of Seán MacEoin threatens the Truce and peace negotiations as Denis Henry is appointed Northern Ireland’s first Lord Chief Justice
Published: August 6, 2021
On This Day – 6th August 1971
Stories Included:
1971: John Hume argues that Partition failed to unite people as bombings, protest clashes and criticism of the British Army underline growing tensions