The Irish Independent is 120 years old

Today marks the 120th anniversary of the Irish Independent which appeared for the first time on 2 January 1905.

Carrying the ideals of this new venture, the paper also included items of news from Dublin during the New Year festivities.

The advent of the New Year in Dublin was signalised by the usual private festivities. The brilliant windows of many a home, and the sounds of "joy unconfined," indicated that history was pleasantly repeating itself in the usual demonstrations of individual and family

1904 expired in gloom and rain, but this did not prevent the customary perambulating of the streets in order to give an open air welcome to New Year's Day.

As noon as the clock struck the hour which proclaimed the passing of 1904, the chimes of Christ Church, St. George's and several other belfries rang out a merry peal.

The editor of the newspaper also printed details of a special competition for readers.

While the first issue of our new halfpenny morning paper was being printed by our Goss Printing Presses this morning six copies were specially branded with a private mark by the editor. Tho purchaser of each of these six copies on forwarding same to the Manager, " Irish Independent," 111 Middle Abbey street, Dublin, will be sent a cheque for a half-guinea, and a like sum will be paid to the agent or vendor who disposes of each marked copy, forwarded in the same way. Thus the sum of six guineas will be divided amongst the six purchasers and the six news vendors who sell the half-dozen marked copies. The mark is perfectly plain, and can be easily detected by a reader. Employees of the " Independent" newspapers or members of their families are disqualified from participation in this competition.

I wonder do any of the ‘special’ editions survive?

For more information search the pages of the Irish Newspaper Archives (www.irishnewsarchives.com