1940 in Ireland
Encyclopedia
Events
- January - The Irish Naval ServiceIrish Naval ServiceThe Naval Service is the navy of Ireland and is one of the three standing branches of the Irish Defence Forces. Its main base is in Haulbowline, County Cork....
acquires the first of its six Motor Torpedo BoatMotor Torpedo BoatMotor Torpedo Boat was the name given to fast torpedo boats by the Royal Navy, and the Royal Canadian Navy.The capitalised term is generally used for the Royal Navy boats and abbreviated to "MTB"...
s, M1. - January 17 - Enid (Captain Wibe) of neutral Norway sailing from SteinkjerSteinkjeris a town and a municipality in Nord-Trøndelag county, Norway. It is part of the Innherad region. The administrative centre of the municipality is the town of Steinkjer, which is also the seat of the county government...
to Dublin, 10 miles north of Shetland, goes to assist SS Polzella which had been torpedoed by . U25 then shells and sinks Enid. - February 7 - Munster (Capt. R. Paisley) minedNaval mineA naval mine is a self-contained explosive device placed in water to destroy surface ships or submarines. Unlike depth charges, mines are deposited and left to wait until they are triggered by the approach of, or contact with, an enemy vessel...
and sunk in Irish SeaIrish SeaThe Irish Sea separates the islands of Ireland and Great Britain. It is connected to the Celtic Sea in the south by St George's Channel, and to the Atlantic Ocean in the north by the North Channel. Anglesey is the largest island within the Irish Sea, followed by the Isle of Man...
entering LiverpoolLiverpoolLiverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
. - March 3 - Cato (Capt. Richard Martin), British, from Dublin to Bristol, strikes a mine 2.5 miles west of Nash PointNash PointNash Point is a headland and beach in the Monknash Coast of the Vale of Glamorgan in south Wales. It is a popular location for ramblers and hiking along the cliffs to Llantwit Major beach....
: 13 die, 2 survive. - March 9 - Trawler LeukosST LeukosThe ST Leukos was Irish Steam Trawler that operated off the coast of Ireland. She was lost with all hands on March 9, 1940 while fishing off Tory Island when the surfaced and opened fire with its deck gun. The Leukos and her crew of 11 were lost...
sunk by gunfire from , north west of Tory IslandTory IslandToraigh is an inhabited island 14.5 km off the northwest coast of County Donegal, Ireland. It is also known in Irish as Oileán Thoraigh, Oileán Thoraí or Oileán Thúr Rí.-Language:The main spoken language on the island is Irish, but English is also understood...
- 11 dead. (She may have moved between the surfacing U-boatU-boatU-boat is the anglicized version of the German word U-Boot , itself an abbreviation of Unterseeboot , and refers to military submarines operated by Germany, particularly in World War I and World War II...
and English trawlers, in the hope that the tricolourFlag of IrelandThe national flag of Ireland is a vertical tricolour of green , white, and orange. It is also known as the Irish tricolour. The flag proportion is 1:2...
would protect her while the English escaped). - March 10 - City of Bremen rescues 33 crew of Amor (Dutch) in the North SeaNorth SeaIn the southwest, beyond the Straits of Dover, the North Sea becomes the English Channel connecting to the Atlantic Ocean. In the east, it connects to the Baltic Sea via the Skagerrak and Kattegat, narrow straits that separate Denmark from Norway and Sweden respectively...
. - March 29 - Fire destroys the roof and upper rooms of St. Patrick's College, Maynooth.
- May 24 - First secret meeting to formulate 'Plan WPlan WPlan W, during the Second World War, was a plan of joint military operations between Ireland and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland devised between 1940 and 1942, to be executed in the event of an invasion of Ireland by Nazi Germany....
', joint action in the event of a GermanNazi GermanyNazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...
invasion of Ireland, is held between Irish officials and British military in LondonLondonLondon is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. - May 27 - Uruguay of neutral ArgentinaArgentinaArgentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
sailing from Rosario to LimerickLimerickLimerick is the third largest city in the Republic of Ireland, and the principal city of County Limerick and Ireland's Mid-West Region. It is the fifth most populous city in all of Ireland. When taking the extra-municipal suburbs into account, Limerick is the third largest conurbation in the...
with 6,000 tons of maize, sinks with scuttling charges by 160 miles from Cape Villano: 15 die, 13 survive. - June 10 - Violando N Goulandris of then-neutral Greece sailing from Santa FeSanta Fe, ArgentinaSanta Fe is the capital city of province of Santa Fe, Argentina. It sits in northeastern Argentina, near the junction of the Paraná and Salado rivers. It lies opposite the city of Paraná, to which it is linked by the Hernandarias Subfluvial Tunnel. The city is also connected by canal with the...
to WaterfordWaterfordWaterford is a city in the South-East Region of Ireland. It is the oldest city in the country and fifth largest by population. Waterford City Council is the local government authority for the city and its immediate hinterland...
with a cargo of wheat is torpedoed by off Cape FinisterreCape Finisterreright|thumb|300px|Position of Cape Finisterre on the [[Iberian Peninsula]]Cape Finisterre is a rock-bound peninsula on the west coast of Galicia, Spain....
: 6 die, 22 survive. - June 12 - lands a German spy, Karl Simon, in DingleDingleDingle is a town in County Kerry, Ireland. The only town on the Dingle Peninsula, it sits on the Atlantic coast, about 49 kilometres southwest of Tralee and 71 kilometres northwest of Killarney....
. He is promptly arrested and interned for the duration. - June 19 - Dublin Institute for Advanced StudiesDublin Institute for Advanced StudiesThe Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies Dublin, Ireland was established in 1940 by the Taoiseach of the time, Éamon de Valera under the . The Institute consists of 3 schools: The , the and the . The directors of these schools are currently Professor Werner Nahm, Professor Luke Drury and...
established. - June 23 - Minister Frank AikenFrank AikenFrank Aiken was a commander of the Irish Republican Army and later an Irish politician. A founding-member of Fianna Fáil, Aiken was first elected to Dáil Éireann in 1923 and at each subsequent election until 1973...
encourages everyone to store food and water and to prepare a shelter in case of a direct hit. - July 2 - BritishUnited KingdomThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
-owned , carrying civilian interneeCivilian InterneeCivilian Internee is a special status of a prisoner under the Fourth Geneva Convention. Civilian Internees are civilians who are detained by a party to a war for security reasons...
s and POWs of ItalianItalian peopleThe Italian people are an ethnic group that share a common Italian culture, ancestry and speak the Italian language as a mother tongue. Within Italy, Italians are defined by citizenship, regardless of ancestry or country of residence , and are distinguished from people...
and German origin from LiverpoolLiverpoolLiverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
to CanadaCanadaCanada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, is torpedoTorpedoThe modern torpedo is a self-propelled missile weapon with an explosive warhead, launched above or below the water surface, propelled underwater towards a target, and designed to detonate either on contact with it or in proximity to it.The term torpedo was originally employed for...
ed and sunk by off northwest Ireland with the loss of around 865 lives. - July 4 - TaoiseachTaoiseachThe Taoiseach is the head of government or prime minister of Ireland. The Taoiseach is appointed by the President upon the nomination of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas , and must, in order to remain in office, retain the support of a majority in the Dáil.The current Taoiseach is...
Éamon de ValeraÉamon de ValeraÉamon de Valera was one of the dominant political figures in twentieth century Ireland, serving as head of government of the Irish Free State and head of government and head of state of Ireland...
announces that the policy of neutrality adopted the previous September will not be reversed. - July 11 - Moyalla rescues twenty survivors from Athellaird (British) off Cape Clear Island.
- July 15 - City of Limerick (Capt. R. Ferguson) bombed by aircraft and sinks in Bay of BiscayBay of BiscayThe Bay of Biscay is a gulf of the northeast Atlantic Ocean located south of the Celtic Sea. It lies along the western coast of France from Brest south to the Spanish border, and the northern coast of Spain west to Cape Ortegal, and is named in English after the province of Biscay, in the Spanish...
, 700 miles west of UshantUshantUshant is an island at the south-western end of the English Channel which marks the north-westernmost point of metropolitan France. It belongs to Brittany and is in the traditional region of Bro-Leon. Administratively, Ushant is a commune in the Finistère department...
- 2 dead. - July 20 - City of Waterford (Capt. T. Freehill) shelled by submarine in North Atlantic but escapes.
- July 30 - Kyleclare rescues 52 survivors from Clan Menzies (British) off MayoCounty MayoCounty Mayo is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the village of Mayo, which is now generally known as Mayo Abbey. Mayo County Council is the local authority for the county. The population of the county is 130,552...
coast. - August 1 - Collier Kerry Head bombed off KinsaleKinsaleKinsale is a town in County Cork, Ireland. Located some 25 km south of Cork City on the coast near the Old Head of Kinsale, it sits at the mouth of the River Bandon and has a population of 2,257 which increases substantially during the summer months when the tourist season is at its peak and...
- survives this attack, but see October 22. - August 15 - Meath (Capt. T. MacFariane) mined and sunk off the South StackSouth StackSouth Stack is an island situated just off Holy Island on the North West coast of Anglesey. It is famous as the location of one of Wales' most spectacular lighthouses.-South Stack Lighthouse:...
, Holy Island, AngleseyHoly Island, AngleseyHoly Island Cybi') is an island on the western side of the larger Isle of Anglesey, North Wales, from which it is separated by a narrow, winding channel. It is called "Holy" because of the high concentration of standing stones, burial chambers and other religious sites on the small island. The...
; crew rescued by a local fishing trawler but 700 cattleCattleCattle are the most common type of large domesticated ungulates. They are a prominent modern member of the subfamily Bovinae, are the most widespread species of the genus Bos, and are most commonly classified collectively as Bos primigenius...
lost - August 16 - Lock Ryan (Capt. J. Nolan) bombed off Land's EndLand's EndLand's End is a headland and small settlement in west Cornwall, England, within the United Kingdom. It is located on the Penwith peninsula approximately eight miles west-southwest of Penzance....
but survives. - August 24 - City of Waterford (Capt. T. Freehill) bombed in Irish Sea but survives.
- August 27 - Lanahrone rescues 18 survivors from Goathland (British) off KerryCounty KerryKerry means the "people of Ciar" which was the name of the pre-Gaelic tribe who lived in part of the present county. The legendary founder of the tribe was Ciar, son of Fergus mac Róich. In Old Irish "Ciar" meant black or dark brown, and the word continues in use in modern Irish as an adjective...
coast. - September 4 - Luimneach (Capt. E. Jones) sunk by gunfire from in Bay of BiscayBay of BiscayThe Bay of Biscay is a gulf of the northeast Atlantic Ocean located south of the Celtic Sea. It lies along the western coast of France from Brest south to the Spanish border, and the northern coast of Spain west to Cape Ortegal, and is named in English after the province of Biscay, in the Spanish...
. - September 4 - Edenvale (Capt. N. Gillespie) machine-gunned by German plane off Waterford coast.
- October 3 - The German news agency announces that the GermanNazi GermanyNazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...
government is willing to pay compensation for dropping bombs on Dublin. - October 22 - Kerry Head (Capt. C. Drummond) bombed again: all twelve hands lost, in full view of watchers on Cape Clear Island.
- November - The 'Murder of Marlhill' takes place in Knockgraffon near New Inn, County Tipperary
- November 7 - Éamon de ValeraÉamon de ValeraÉamon de Valera was one of the dominant political figures in twentieth century Ireland, serving as head of government of the Irish Free State and head of government and head of state of Ireland...
, speaking in response to Winston ChurchillWinston ChurchillSir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, was a predominantly Conservative British politician and statesman known for his leadership of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the century and served as Prime Minister twice...
's statement, says that there can be no question of handing over Irish ports for use by British forces while they retain control of Northern IrelandNorthern IrelandNorthern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. - November 11 - Ardmore (Capt. T. Ford) strikes a mine off the Saltee IslandsSaltee IslandsThe Saltee Islands are a pair of small islands lying 5 kilometres off the southern coast of County Wexford in Ireland. The two islands are Great Saltee and Little Saltee . They have been uninhabited since the early 20th century...
- 24 die. - November 24 - James CraigJames Craig, 1st Viscount CraigavonJames Craig, 1st Viscount Craigavon, PC, PC , was a prominent Irish unionist politician, leader of the Ulster Unionist Party and the first Prime Minister of Northern Ireland...
, the first Prime Minister of Northern IrelandPrime Minister of Northern IrelandThe Prime Minister of Northern Ireland was the de facto head of the Government of Northern Ireland. No such office was provided for in the Government of Ireland Act 1920. However the Lord Lieutenant, as with Governors-General in other Westminster Systems such as in Canada, chose to appoint someone...
, dies suddenly. He was the longest continually serving Prime Minister in Europe. - December 19 - Lightship tender Isolda (Capt. A. Bestic) is sunk by German bombers within sight of Carnsore PointCarnsore PointCarnsore Point is a headland in the very South East corner of County Wexford, Ireland. This headland is Ireland's southern limit point of the Irish Sea....
- six killed, seven wounded. - December 21 - InnisfallenInnisfallenThis page concerns the ships named Innisfallen.You might be seeking:*Annals of Innisfallen, a Manuscript History of Ireland*Innisfallen Island in the Lakes of Killarney----There have been five ships named Innisfallen....
(Capt. G. Firth) hits a mineNaval mineA naval mine is a self-contained explosive device placed in water to destroy surface ships or submarines. Unlike depth charges, mines are deposited and left to wait until they are triggered by the approach of, or contact with, an enemy vessel...
off Wirral shore near New BrightonNew Brighton, MerseysideNew Brighton is a seaside resort forming part of the town of Wallasey, in the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral, in the metropolitan county of Merseyside, England. It is located at the northeastern tip of the Wirral Peninsula, within the historic county boundaries of Cheshire, and has sandy beaches...
while leaving LiverpoolLiverpoolLiverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
and sinks - four die. - December 27 - Dr. John Charles McQuaidJohn Charles McQuaidJohn Charles McQuaid, C.S.Sp. was the Catholic Archbishop of Dublin and Primate of Ireland between December 1940 and February 1972.- Early life 1895-1914:...
is consecrated as Archbishop of DublinArchbishop of DublinThe Archbishop of Dublin may refer to:* Archbishop of Dublin – an article which lists of pre- and post-Reformation archbishops.* Archbishop of Dublin – the title of the senior cleric who presides over the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Dublin....
.
Football
- League of IrelandLeague of IrelandThe League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
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- Winners: St James' GateSt James's Gate F.C.St James's Gate F.C. is an Irish football club that currently plays in the Leinster Senior League. St James Gate was founded as the footballing part of the Guinness Sports and Social club and was named after St. James's Gate Brewery....
- Winners: St James' Gate
- FAI CupFAI CupThe Football Association of Ireland Challenge Cup, known as the FAI Ford Cup for sponsorship reasons, is a knock-out association football competition contested annually by teams from the Republic of Ireland...
-
- Winners: Shamrock RoversShamrock Rovers F.C.Shamrock Rovers Football Club are a professional football club from Dublin, Ireland. They compete in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland and are the most successful club in Irish football history. The club have won the League of Ireland title a record 17 times and the FAI Cup a record 24...
3 - 0 Sligo RoversSligo Rovers F.C.Sligo Rovers Football Club is a professional Irish football club playing in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland. The club was founded in 1928 and have been in the League of Ireland since 1934. The club is a co-operative venture, owned by the people of Sligo. Sligo Rovers have played at...
.
- Winners: Shamrock Rovers
Golf
- Irish OpenIrish Open (golf)The Irish Open is a professional golf tournament on the European Tour, currently played at the end of July or early August each year. The event has been played in many locations on the island; its current home is the Killarney Golf & Fishing Club in County Kerry in southwestern Ireland...
is not played due to The Emergency.
January to March
- 25 January - Bishop Philip Boyce, Roman Catholic bishopBishopA bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
of the Diocese of Raphoe. - 26 January - Séamus HegartySéamus Hegarty (Roman Catholic Bishop)The Most Rev. Dr. Séamus Hegarty, D.D. , is an Irish Catholic prelate. He served as the Bishop of Raphoe from 1982 to 1994, and served as the Bishop of Derry from 1994 to 2011.-Early life and ministry:...
, BishopBishopA bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
of the Diocese of Raphoe, later Bishop of the Diocese of Derry. - 2 February - Brendan DalyBrendan DalyBrendan Daly , is a former Fianna Fáil Party politician in Ireland. He was a long-serving Teachta Dála for Clare, a government minister, and Senator....
, former Fianna FáilFianna FáilFianna Fáil – The Republican Party , more commonly known as Fianna Fáil is a centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland, founded on 23 March 1926. Fianna Fáil's name is traditionally translated into English as Soldiers of Destiny, although a more accurate rendition would be Warriors of Fál...
TDTeachta DálaA Teachta Dála , usually abbreviated as TD in English, is a member of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas . It is the equivalent of terms such as "Member of Parliament" or "deputy" used in other states. The official translation of the term is "Deputy to the Dáil", though a more literal...
and Cabinet Minister, SenatorSeanad ÉireannSeanad Éireann is the upper house of the Oireachtas , which also comprises the President of Ireland and Dáil Éireann . It is commonly called the Seanad or Senate and its members Senators or Seanadóirí . Unlike Dáil Éireann, it is not directly elected but consists of a mixture of members chosen by...
. - 27 March - Lorcan AllenLorcan AllenLorcan Allen is an Irish farmer and Fianna Fáil politician.Allen was elected to Dáil Éireann at the 1961 general election as a Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála for the Wexford constituency. Aged just 21 years and 6 months at the time, he is the second youngest ever TD, after William J. Murphy...
, farmer and former Fianna FáilFianna FáilFianna Fáil – The Republican Party , more commonly known as Fianna Fáil is a centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland, founded on 23 March 1926. Fianna Fáil's name is traditionally translated into English as Soldiers of Destiny, although a more accurate rendition would be Warriors of Fál...
TDTeachta DálaA Teachta Dála , usually abbreviated as TD in English, is a member of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas . It is the equivalent of terms such as "Member of Parliament" or "deputy" used in other states. The official translation of the term is "Deputy to the Dáil", though a more literal...
for WexfordWexford (Dáil Éireann constituency)Wexford is a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The constituency elects 5 deputies...
, and the youngest person ever elected to Dáil ÉireannDáil ÉireannDáil Éireann is the lower house, but principal chamber, of the Oireachtas , which also includes the President of Ireland and Seanad Éireann . It is directly elected at least once in every five years under the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote...
(at the 1961 general electionIrish general election, 1961The Irish general election of 1961 was held on 4 October 1961, just over three weeks after the dissolution of the Dáil on 8 September. The newly elected members of the 17th Dáil assembled at Leinster House on 11 October when the new Taoiseach and government were appointed.The general election took...
)
April to June
- 12 April - Dermot FitzpatrickDermot FitzpatrickDermot Fitzpatrick is a former Irish Fianna Fáil politician. He is a native of Dublin city, and was educated at Coláiste Mhuire, an Irish language secondary school in the city, and at University College Dublin, from which he graduated with a degree in medicine...
, former Fianna FáilFianna FáilFianna Fáil – The Republican Party , more commonly known as Fianna Fáil is a centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland, founded on 23 March 1926. Fianna Fáil's name is traditionally translated into English as Soldiers of Destiny, although a more accurate rendition would be Warriors of Fál...
TDTeachta DálaA Teachta Dála , usually abbreviated as TD in English, is a member of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas . It is the equivalent of terms such as "Member of Parliament" or "deputy" used in other states. The official translation of the term is "Deputy to the Dáil", though a more literal...
. - 13 April - Frank O'NeillFrank O'Neill (Irish footballer)Frank O'Neill is a former Irish footballer who spent most of his career at Shamrock Rovers. As an international he also played for the Republic of Ireland.-Early years:...
, soccer player. - 20 April - Alfie LinehanAlfie LinehanAlphonsus James "Alfie" Linehan Alphonsus James "Alfie" Linehan Alphonsus James "Alfie" Linehan (born 20 April 1940 in Dublin, Ireland is an Irish former cricketer. A right-handed batsman, he played eleven times for the Ireland cricket team between 1971 and 1975 including two first-class matches...
, cricketer. - 23 April - Timothy CarrollTimothy Carroll (Roman Catholic Bishop)Timothy James Carroll Timothy James Carroll Timothy James Carroll (born 23 April 1940 is a Roman Catholic bishop serving as Apostolic Vicar in the Titular See of Tipasa in Mauretania. He was born in Millstreet, County Cork Ireland....
, Roman Catholic bishopBishopA bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
serving as Apostolic Vicar in the Titular SeeTitular seeA titular see in various churches is an episcopal see of a former diocese that no longer functions, sometimes called a "dead diocese". The ordinary or hierarch of such a see may be styled a "titular bishop", "titular metropolitan", or "titular archbishop"....
of Tipasa in MauretaniaTipasa in MauretaniaThe Diocese of Tipasa in Mauretania is a Titular See in the Roman Catholic Church. The first Titular Bishop was appointed to this See on 20 August, 1804. In Latin the diocese is known as Tipasitanus in Mauretania....
. - 11 May - Mary Henry, member of the Seanad (1993–2007) representing University of DublinUniversity of DublinThe University of Dublin , corporately designated the Chancellor, Doctors and Masters of the University of Dublin , located in Dublin, Ireland, was effectively founded when in 1592 Queen Elizabeth I issued a charter for Trinity College, Dublin, as "the mother of a university" – this date making it...
. - 15 May - Proinsias De RossaProinsias De RossaProinsias De Rossa is an Irish Labour Party politician and Member of the European Parliament for the Dublin constituency. He a former President of the Workers' Party and subsequently leader of Democratic Left, and later, a senior member of the Labour Party. He was Minister for Social Welfare from...
, former leader of the Workers' PartyWorkers' Party of IrelandThe Workers' Party is a left-wing republican political party in Ireland. Originating in the Sinn Féin organisation founded in 1905 by Arthur Griffith, it took its current form in 1970 after a split within the party, adopting its current name in 1982....
and Democratic LeftDemocratic Left (Ireland)Democratic Left was a democratic socialist political party active in Ireland between 1992 and 1999. It came into being after a split in the Workers' Party and, after just seven years in existence, it merged into the Irish Labour Party.-Origins:...
, former Cabinet Minister and an MEPMember of the European ParliamentA Member of the European Parliament is a person who has been elected to the European Parliament. The name of MEPs differ in different languages, with terms such as europarliamentarian or eurodeputy being common in Romance language-speaking areas.When the European Parliament was first established,...
. - 28 May -Maeve BinchyMaeve BinchyMaeve Binchy is an Irish novelist, newspaper columnist and speaker. Educated at University College Dublin, she worked as a teacher then a journalist at The Irish Times and later became a writer of novels and short stories.Many of her novels are set in Ireland, dealing with the tensions between...
, novelist and columnist. - 29 May - Donal MurrayDonal MurrayDonal Brendan Murray was the Roman Catholic Bishop of Limerick from 1996 to 2009. He had previously served as an Auxiliary Bishop of the Dublin diocese-Early life and ordination:...
, Bishop of Limerick (1996 - ). - 6 June - Willie John McBrideWillie John McBrideWilliam James McBride, MBE, better known as Willie John McBride is a former rugby union footballer who played as a lock for Ireland and the British and Irish Lions. He played 63 Tests for Ireland including eleven as captain, and toured with the Lions five times — a record that gave him 17...
, international rugby player. - 6 June - Michael SmithMichael Smith (Bishop)Michael Smith is the Roman Catholic Bishop of Meath, Ireland.- Career :He was born in Oldcastle, County Meath, the son of Julia Tuite and ? Smith. Having studied for the priesthood at the Irish College in Rome, he was ordained a priest for the diocese on 9 March 1963. Continuing his studies in...
, Roman Catholic Bishop of Meath. - 24 June - Adrian FitzGeraldAdrian FitzgeraldSir Adrian James Andrew Denis FitzGerald, 6th Baronet, 24th Knight of Kerry is a hereditary knight, a Conservative Party politician in the UK, and former Mayor of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.-Family:...
, 24th Knight of KerryKnight of KerryKnight of Kerry, also called the Green Knight, is one of three Anglo-Irish hereditary knighthoods, all of which existed in Ireland since feudal times. The others are the White Knight and the Knight of Glin...
.
July to December
- 26 July - Tom EnrightTom EnrightThomas W. Enright is a former Irish Fine Gael politician.Enright was born in Shinrone, County Offaly in 1940. He was educated at the Cistercian College, Roscrea, University College Dublin and the Incorporated Law Society of Ireland...
, former Fine GaelFine GaelFine Gael is a centre-right to centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland. It is the single largest party in Ireland in the Oireachtas, in local government, and in terms of Members of the European Parliament. The party has a membership of over 35,000...
politician. - 5 September - Aideen O'KellyAideen O'KellyAideen O'Kelly is an Irish actress of stage and television, who works in both Ireland and the United States....
, actress. - 10 September - Dickie RockDickie RockDickie Rock is an Irish singer. He experienced much success on the Irish charts during the 1960s, but has continued on as a popular live act as well as occasionally hitting the charts ever since.-Early fame:...
, singer and songwriter. - 12 September - Desmond FoleyDesmond FoleyDesmond 'Des' Foley was an Irish sports star in the 1960s, specialising in the Gaelic games of Gaelic football and hurling. He was also an Irish parliamentarian and represented Fianna Fáil in Dáil Éireann....
, Gaelic footballer and hurler and Fianna FáilFianna FáilFianna Fáil – The Republican Party , more commonly known as Fianna Fáil is a centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland, founded on 23 March 1926. Fianna Fáil's name is traditionally translated into English as Soldiers of Destiny, although a more accurate rendition would be Warriors of Fál...
TDTeachta DálaA Teachta Dála , usually abbreviated as TD in English, is a member of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas . It is the equivalent of terms such as "Member of Parliament" or "deputy" used in other states. The official translation of the term is "Deputy to the Dáil", though a more literal...
(d.19951995 in Ireland-Events:*January 27 - Taoiseach, John Bruton, and Gerry Adams hold their first formal discussions.*February 2 - President Mary Robinson addresses a joint session of the Houses of the Oireachtas....
). - 19 October - Michael GambonMichael GambonSir Michael John Gambon, CBE is an Irish actor who has worked in theatre, television and film. A highly respected theatre actor, Gambon is recognised for his roles as Philip Marlowe in the BBC television serial The Singing Detective, as Jules Maigret in the 1990s ITV serial Maigret, and as...
, actor. - 1 November - Michael CollinsMichael Collins (Limerick politician)Michael J. Collins is a former Fianna Fáil and Independent Teachta Dála for Limerick West from 1997 to 2007.-Early life and career:...
, former Fianna FáilFianna FáilFianna Fáil – The Republican Party , more commonly known as Fianna Fáil is a centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland, founded on 23 March 1926. Fianna Fáil's name is traditionally translated into English as Soldiers of Destiny, although a more accurate rendition would be Warriors of Fál...
TDTeachta DálaA Teachta Dála , usually abbreviated as TD in English, is a member of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas . It is the equivalent of terms such as "Member of Parliament" or "deputy" used in other states. The official translation of the term is "Deputy to the Dáil", though a more literal...
. - 6 November - Johnny GilesJohnny GilesMichael John "Johnny" Giles is a former association footballer and manager best remembered for his time as a midfielder with Leeds United in the 1960s and 1970s...
, former international footballer and broadcaster. - 17 November - Luke KellyLuke KellyLuke Kelly was an Irish singer and folk musician from Dublin, Ireland, notable as a founding member of the band The Dubliners.-Early life:...
, singer, folk musicFolk musicFolk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
ian and member of The DublinersThe DublinersThe Dubliners are an Irish folk band founded in 1962.-Formation and history:The Dubliners, initially known as "The Ronnie Drew Ballad Group", formed in 1962 and made a name for themselves playing regularly in O'Donoghue's Pub in Dublin...
(d.19841984 in Ireland-Events:*January 1** Department of Posts and Telegraphs split into An Post and Telecom Éireann.** Galway City begins celebrations marking its mayoral status granted by King Richard III in 1484....
). - 1 December - Brendan ToalBrendan ToalBrendan Toal is a former Fine Gael politician in the Republic of Ireland. He was Teachta Dála for Monaghan from 1973 to 1977....
, former Fine GaelFine GaelFine Gael is a centre-right to centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland. It is the single largest party in Ireland in the Oireachtas, in local government, and in terms of Members of the European Parliament. The party has a membership of over 35,000...
TDTeachta DálaA Teachta Dála , usually abbreviated as TD in English, is a member of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas . It is the equivalent of terms such as "Member of Parliament" or "deputy" used in other states. The official translation of the term is "Deputy to the Dáil", though a more literal...
.
Full date unknown
- Séamus CleereSéamus CleereSéamus Cleere is a retired Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Bennetsbridge and with the Kilkenny senior inter-county team from 1960 until 1968. Cleere captained Kilkenny to the All-Ireland title in 1963.-Club:Cleere played his club hurling with his local Bennettsbridge club...
, former KilkennyKilkenny GAAThe Kilkenny County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland and is responsible for Gaelic Games in County Kilkenny. The county board has its head office and main grounds at Nowlan Park and is also responsible for Kilkenny inter-county teams...
hurler. - Martin CooganMartin CooganMartin Coogan is a retired Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Castlecomer and with the Kilkenny senior inter-county team from 1961 until 1973.-Inter-county:...
, former KilkennyKilkenny GAAThe Kilkenny County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland and is responsible for Gaelic Games in County Kilkenny. The county board has its head office and main grounds at Nowlan Park and is also responsible for Kilkenny inter-county teams...
hurler. - Phil FlynnPhil FlynnPhilip "Phil" Flynn is an Irish businessman. He was previously a vice-president of Sinn Féin, a trade unionist, an industrial relations consultant, a government advisor and a financier...
, former vice-president of Sinn FéinSinn FéinSinn Féin is a left wing, Irish republican political party in Ireland. The name is Irish for "ourselves" or "we ourselves", although it is frequently mistranslated as "ourselves alone". Originating in the Sinn Féin organisation founded in 1905 by Arthur Griffith, it took its current form in 1970...
, businessman.
Deaths
- 2 January - William HarringtonWilliam Harrington (cricketer)William "Bill" Harrington was an Irish cricketer. A right-handed batsman and off spin bowler, he played 28 times for the Ireland cricket team between 1894 and 1921, including fifteen first-class matches.-Playing career:Harrington made his debut for Ireland against I Zingari in July 1894, and soon...
, cricketer (b.18691869 in Ireland-Events:The Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland passes the Irish Church Act 1869.-Births:*16 March - Peter Maher, boxer .*27 March - James McNeill, politician and second Governor-General of the Irish Free State ....
). - 24 January - John DooganJohn DooganJohn Doogan was born Aughrim, County Galway and was an Irish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces....
, soldier, recipient of the Victoria CrossVictoria CrossThe Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
for gallantry in 1881 at Laing's NekLaing's NekLaing's Nek, or Lang's Nek is a pass through the Drakensberg, South Africa, immediately north of Majuba, at at an elevation of 5400 to . It is the lowest part of a ridge which slopes from Majuba to the Buffalo River, and before the opening of the railway in 1891 the road over the nek was the main...
, South Africa (b.18531853 in Ireland-Births:*30 January - Leland Hone, cricketer .*6 February - Robert John McConnell, businessman, baronet and Lord Mayor of Belfast .*7 February - Egerton Bushe Coghill, painter .*30 March - Frank O'Meara, artist ....
). - 9 February - Edward Joseph ByrneEdward Joseph ByrneEdward Joseph Byrne was an Irish prelate of the Catholic Church. He served as Archbishop of Dublin from 1921 until his death in 1940.-Biography:...
, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Dublin (b. 1872) - 21 July - John BrunskillJohn BrunskillJohn Hanfield Brunskill DSO was an Irish cricketer. A left-handed batsman and right-arm medium pace bowler, he played one match for Ireland, against the MCC in May 1895...
, cricketer (b.18751875 in Ireland-Events:May - Ballymena, Cushendall and Red Bay Railway opens, with services between Ballymena and Retreat in County Antrim.-Births:*14 March - Patrick McLane, Democratic member of the U.S...
). - 22 July - Peter MaherPeter Maher (boxer)Peter Maher was an Irish-American boxer known for his powerful punch. Early in his career Maher won the 1888 Middleweight Championship of Ireland, and the 1890 Heavyweight Championship of Ireland...
, boxer (b.18691869 in Ireland-Events:The Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland passes the Irish Church Act 1869.-Births:*16 March - Peter Maher, boxer .*27 March - James McNeill, politician and second Governor-General of the Irish Free State ....
). - 14 August - Seán RussellSeán RussellSeán Russell was an Irish republican who held senior positions in the IRA until the end of the Irish War of Independence...
, Irish republicanIrish RepublicanismIrish republicanism is an ideology based on the belief that all of Ireland should be an independent republic.In 1801, under the Act of Union, the Kingdom of Great Britain and the Kingdom of Ireland merged to form the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland...
and a chief of staff of the Irish Republican ArmyIrish Republican ArmyThe Irish Republican Army was an Irish republican revolutionary military organisation. It was descended from the Irish Volunteers, an organisation established on 25 November 1913 that staged the Easter Rising in April 1916...
(b.18931893 in Ireland-Events:*February - Prime Minister Gladstone introduces his second Home Rule Bill to the House of Commons, where it is passed.*26 April - Edward Carson is called to the English Bar at the Middle Temple...
). - 21 September - Mick O'Brien, soccer player and manager (b.18931893 in Ireland-Events:*February - Prime Minister Gladstone introduces his second Home Rule Bill to the House of Commons, where it is passed.*26 April - Edward Carson is called to the English Bar at the Middle Temple...
). - 24 November - James Craig, 1st Viscount CraigavonJames Craig, 1st Viscount CraigavonJames Craig, 1st Viscount Craigavon, PC, PC , was a prominent Irish unionist politician, leader of the Ulster Unionist Party and the first Prime Minister of Northern Ireland...
, first Prime Minister of Northern IrelandPrime Minister of Northern IrelandThe Prime Minister of Northern Ireland was the de facto head of the Government of Northern Ireland. No such office was provided for in the Government of Ireland Act 1920. However the Lord Lieutenant, as with Governors-General in other Westminster Systems such as in Canada, chose to appoint someone...
(b.18711871 in Ireland-Events:*1 January - Church of Ireland disestablished.*J. P. Mahaffy appointed to the Chair of Ancient History at Trinity College, Dublin at the age of 32.*16 June - The Westmeath Act is enacted allowing arrest and detention without trial.-Births:...
).
Full date unknown
- Dr. Mark F. Ryan, nationalist and author (b.18441844 in Ireland-Events:*29 March - Official opening of the Dalkey Atmospheric Railway.*15 December - Saint Malachy's Church, Belfast is dedicated by Dr William Crolly, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland....
). - Samuel ShumackSamuel ShumackSamuel Shumack was an early Canberra pioneer and Australian author.He was born in Mallow, County Cork, Ireland and moved to Australia with his family in 1856 where at the age of fifteen and with his father he took up a selection at Weetangera. He farmed his land until it was resumed by the...
, farmer and author in Australia (b.18501850 in Ireland-Events:* March 31 - The paddle steamer , bound from Cork to London, sinks in the English Channel with the loss of all 250 on board.* Crumlin Road Courthouse in Belfast is completed.-Births:...
).