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 – 3rd November 1921
Publication date:
November 3, 2021
Reference date:
19211103
Stories Included:
1921: Lloyd George yields to Unionist demands for executive powers for Northern Ireland’s Parliament, while Lord Carson meets the Prime Minister to discuss Tyrone and Fermanagh
Latest On This Day Posts
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
Published: August 5, 2021
On This Day – 5th August 1921
Stories Included:
1921: Éamon de Valera champions the Irish language at the Gaelic League Ard Fheis, urging action to protect native speakers and strengthen the Gaeltacht
Published: August 4, 2021
On This Day – 4th August 1921
Stories Included:
1921: James Craig is honoured at Westminster as senior British politicians praise his leadership and his role in establishing the new Northern Ireland government
Published: August 3, 2021
On This Day – 3rd August 1921
Stories Included:
1921: A judge examines the devastating destruction of Catholic property in Lisburn while the death of a young Special Constable reveals a remarkable IRA connection
Published: August 2, 2021
On This Day – 2nd August 1921
Stories Included:
1921: IRA and RIC members cooperate during a peace pilgrimage as Bishop MacRory calls for self-determination and Belfast raises funds for refugees
Published: July 31, 2021
On This Day – 31st July 1921
Stories Included:
1921: Labour condemns Belfast’s sectarian expulsions, a Special Constable is committed for trial, and another child victim dies following the city’s July violence
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: July 22, 2021
On This Day – 22nd July 1921
Stories Included:
1921: Belfast IRA prisoners are spared execution during the Truce while Fermanagh Volunteers refuse to recognise a British military court
Published: July 21, 2021
On This Day – 21st July 1921
Stories Included:
1921: James Craig defends Northern Ireland’s mandate for Partition while a judge highlights the legal absurdities created by Ireland’s political division
Published: July 20, 2021
On This Day – 20th July 1921
Stories Included:
1921: Peace talks continue in London as Éamon de Valera rejects Partition while Belfast Catholic families displaced by violence seek emergency refuge
Published: July 19, 2021
On This Day – 19th July 1921
Stories Included:
1921: A respected County Antrim magistrate is accidentally shot dead while the Independent Orange Order voices remarkable opposition to the Partition of Ireland
Published: July 17, 2021
On This Day – 17th July 1971
Stories Included:
1971: The IRA stages a dramatic hospital rescue while the SDLP confirms its withdrawal from Stormont, marking a major turning point in Northern Ireland politics
Published: July 16, 2021
On This Day – 16th July 1971
Stories Included:
1971: Jack Lynch and Brian Faulkner exchange sharply contrasting visions for Ireland as the Nationalist Party supports the SDLP’s planned Stormont withdrawal
Published: July 15, 2021
On This Day – 15th July 1921
Stories Included:
1921: Violence continues across Belfast despite the Truce while Éamon de Valera and David Lloyd George begin historic peace negotiations in London
Published: July 14, 2021
On This Day – 14th July 1971
Stories Included:
1971: Another British soldier is killed in Belfast as the SDLP moves towards abandoning Stormont and Northern Ireland’s tourism industry suffers
Published: July 13, 2021
On This Day – 13th July 1921
Stories Included:
1921: Despite the all-Ireland Truce, Belfast erupts into deadly violence as gun battles, arson attacks and sectarian killings leave the city in turmoil
Published: July 12, 2021
On This Day – 12th July 1971
Stories Included:
1971: The SDLP threatens to leave Stormont over the Derry shootings as bomb attacks hit Belfast and Jack Lynch renews calls for Irish unity
Published: July 10, 2021
On This Day – 10th July 1971
Stories Included:
1971: Two civilians are shot dead in Derry as John Hume demands an inquiry and Stormont debates the worsening security crisis
Published: July 9, 2021
On This Day – 9th July 1971
Stories Included:
1971: Catholic families flee intimidation in Belfast while Stormont unveils a major financial rescue package for the Belfast shipyard