The first Home Rule Bill was introduced in British Parliament on this day in 1886. The Irish Parliamentary Party and Irish advocates such as Charles Stewart Parnell had been campaigning for Irish home rule since the 1870s. The bill, which proposed the formation of a devolved governing body for Ireland, was introduced to Parliament by the liberal Prime Minister William Ewart … [Read more...] about April 8, 1886
November 26, 1885
Thomas Andrews, Northern Irish chemist and physicist, died on this day in 1885 in Belfast. Andrews spent extensive time in school. He first attended the Belfast Academy and then the Royal Belfast Academical Institute, where he studied mathematics. In 1828, he went on to University of Glasgow to study chemistry, then Trinity College Dublin for classics with a distinction in … [Read more...] about November 26, 1885
November 1, 1884
The Gaelic Athletic Association was found on this day in 1884. As part of the Gaelic Revival movement, taking place in the late 19th century, the GAA was founded as not just any sporting organization. The intent was to "foster a spirit of earnest nationality" as a means of "saving thousands of young Irishmen from becoming mere West Britons." It was an effort to preserve Irish … [Read more...] about November 1, 1884
July 29, 1883
James Carey, leader of the controversial Irish National Invincibles, was killed by Patrick O'Donnell on this day in 1883. The Invincibles, who were a more radical group formed by IRB members, were responsible for the brutal Phoenix Park murders of Thomas Henry Burke and Lord Frederick Cavendish. On January 13, 1883, Carey was arrested along with 16 other members of the … [Read more...] about July 29, 1883
October 17, 1882
The Irish Nationalist League is formed on this day in 1882. Founded by Ireland's "uncrowned king" and nationalist politician Charles Stewart Parnell, the Irish Nationalist League was the successor to the former Irish Land League. The two parties had different goals though. The former Land League fought for land reform in Ireland, but the Nationalist League campaigned for Home … [Read more...] about October 17, 1882