Ireland Join The United Nations 14.December.1955 On this day 14 December 1955, Ireland joined the United Nations. In the intervening years, Ireland has played a significant role in the promotion of international peace and is the only nation to have an unbroken record of service in peacekeeping missions since 1958. Irish peacekeepers have served in more than twenty peacekeeping operations around the world. Emerging from the ...
Ireland join the EEC 13.December.1972 On this day in 1972 Ireland joined the European Economic Community (EEC), now known as the European Union (EU). Having voted overwhelmingly in favour of joining the European Economic Community (EEC) news of Ireland’s entry was warmly greeted in Ireland. Entry to the EEC required a change in the Constitution, and so a referendum was held on 10 May 1972. The Fianna Fáil government and ...
External Relations Act 12.December.1936 On this day in 1936 the External Relations Act was passed by Dáil Eireann, a significant moment in both the development of the Irish Free State and of the political career of Eamon de Valera. It was the culmination of four years’ work in reducing British influence over Irish affairs by the leader of Fianna Fáil, since coming to power after the 1932 general election. The culminati...
Campaign of Resistance to British Occupation On this day in 1956 the Irish Republican Army (IRA) begins what it calls ‘The Campaign of Resistance to British Occupation’ also known as the 'Border Campaign'. As a result of the campaign, internment was introduced in both Northern Ireland and the Republic. The campaign which was primarily focussed on British army patrols and border posts ended in February 1962 because of a...
Sean MacBride Awarded Nobel Peace Prize On this day in 1974 Sean MacBride was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts on behalf of human rights, among other things as one of the founders of Amnesty International. In 1974 he was also Chairman of the International Peace Bureau and Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations, and had recently been elected UN Commissioner for Namibia. A prestigious award for MacBri...
Sunnigndale Agreement Signed 09.December.1973 On this day in 1973 the Sunnigndale Agreement was signed. Following the inability of the Northern Ireland government under Brian Faulkner to stop paramilitary violence and the reaction of the Catholic population to internment led the British government to suspend the Northern Ireland government and impose direct rule from Westminister in March 1972. William Whitelaw, the first ...
On this day in 1933 the Irish government declared the Army Comrades Association (ACA), later the League of Youth, but better known as the ‘Blueshirts, illegal. Led by Eoin O’Duffy, a veteran of the Irish War of Independence, the leader of Fianna Fáil, Eamon de Valera believed that the Blueshirts were a Fascist movement and were intent on the over through of the government. O’Duffy born in Monaghan in 1892, supported t...
Charles Haughey Elected Leader On this day in 1979 Charles Haughey was elected leader of the Fianna Fáil political party succeeding Jack Lynch and seeing off his rival, the then Tánaiste, George Colley. Following the resignation of Lynch, then Taoiseach, the leadership race became heated with both Haughey and Colley battling for supremacy. Haughey’s election, and subsequent appointment as Taoiseach four days later, mark...
Anglo Irish Treaty 06.December.1921 On this day in 1921 after weeks of intense negotiation, the Anglo Irish Treaty was signed in London. Under the terms of the treaty the Irish Free State, consisting of twenty-six counties would have dominion status, similar to Canada and Australia. The British government would take control of the so-called treaty ports to safeguard their defence interests and a boundary commission was to...
Peace Rally was held in Drogheda, county Louth With the troubles raging in Northern Ireland and no end in sight to the tit-for-tat killing, on this day in 1976 a Peace Rally was held in Drogheda, county Louth. Using the symbolic River Boyne as its meeting point, more than 15,000 people marched in bitter cold calling for peace. The chief organisers, Betty Williams, Mairead Corrigan and Ciaran McKeown, were joined by member...