Countries United Kingdom Northern Ireland

Events in Northern Ireland History

Events 1 - 100 of 223

Anglo-Irish Treaty Signed

1921-12-06 Anglo-Irish Treaty signed; Ireland receives dominion status; partition creates Northern Ireland

Signature page of the Anglo-Irish Treaty

Earhart 1st Female Atlantic Flight

1932-05-21 After flying for 17 hours from Newfoundland, Amelia Earhart lands near Londonderry, Northern Ireland, completing the first transatlantic solo flight by a woman

Amelia Earhart not long after she landed in Ireland in 1932, becoming the first woman to fly non-stop solo across the Atlantic

1942-01-26 1st US force in Europe during WWII go ashore in Northern Ireland
1956-12-15 Emergency crisis in North Ireland proclaimed after IRA strikes

Irish and Northern Irish PMs meet

1968-01-08 Northern Ireland Prime Minister Terence O'Neill travels to Dublin to meet with Irish Prime Minister Jack Lynch to continue discussions on matters of joint interest to the two governments

1968-01-19 Northern Ireland Prime Minister Terence O'Neill calls for "a new endeavour by organisations in Northern Ireland to cross denominational barriers and advance the cause of better community relations"
1968-03-25 Members of the Derry Housing Action Committee (DHAC) disrupt a meeting of Londonderry Corporation to protest at the lack of housing provision in the city, Northern Ireland
1968-04-27 The Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association (NICRA) hold a rally to protest the banning of a Republican Easter parade
1968-05-16 In the Stormont (Northern Ireland Parliament) by-election in the city of Londonderry (Derry) the Ulster Unionists retain the seat
1968-05-20 Terence O'Neill, then Northern Ireland Prime Minister, is showered with eggs, flour and stones after a meeting of the Woodvale Unionist Association, a loyalist vigilante group
1968-06-20 Austin Currie, then Nationalist Member of Parliament (MP) at Stormont, and other Irish civil rights activists, protest discrimination in the allocation of housing by 'squatting' (illegally occupying) in a house in Caledon, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland
1968-07-03 As part of a series of protests against housing conditions in Derry, the Derry Housing Action Committee (DHAC) hold a sit-down protest on the newly opened second deck of the Craigavon Bridge in the city, Northern Ireland
1968-08-22 The Society of Labour Lawyers (SLL) publishes an 'interim report' about alleged discrimination in Northern Ireland; the report is heavily criticised by unionists.
1968-08-24 Northern Ireland's first civil rights march held; many more marches would be held over the following year and Loyalists organized counter-demonstrations to get the marches banned
1968-08-27 Protest by the Derry Housing Action Committee (DHAC) at the Guildhall's council chamber; after which Eamon Melaugh phones the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association (NICRA) to organise a march in Derry

Event of Interest

1968-08-28 Northern Irish MP Gerry Fitt tables a House of Commons motion criticising the Royal Ulster Constabulary at Dungannon, "citizens of Northern Ireland should be allowed the same rights of peaceful demonstration as those in other parts of the United Kingdom"

1968-10-03 The proposed civil rights march in Derry, Northern Ireland, is banned from the area of the city centre and the Waterside area; the banning order is issued under the Public Order Act by William Craig, then Home Affairs Minister
1968-10-04 A Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association (NICRA) delegation meet with the Derry March organisers and try to have the march cancelled; eventually it was decided to go ahead with the march.
1968-10-05 Civil rights march in Derry stopped by the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC)and resulting clashes lead to two days of serious rioting, often considered the start of 'the Troubles' in Northern Ireland
1968-10-07 Rioting continues in Derry, Northern Ireland after Royal Ulster Constabulary put down civil rights march two days earlier
1968-10-15 The Nationalist Party of Northern Ireland (NPNI) withdraws from its role as 'official' opposition within the Northern Ireland parliament at Stormont
1968-10-16 The People's Democracy (PD), formed on Oct 9, organise a march of 1,300 students from the Queen's University of Belfast to the City Hall in the centre of the city, Northern Ireland
1968-10-24 The People's Democracy (PD) stage a protest demonstration at Stormont Parliament buildings, Belfast, Northern Ireland

Meeting of Interest

1968-10-30 Jack Lynch, Irish Prime Minister (Taoiseach), meets with Harold Wilson, then British Prime Minister, in London, calling for the ending of partition as a means to resolve the unrest in Northern Ireland

1968-11-02 A banned march in Derry, North Ireland, by members of the Derry Citizen's Action Committee (DCAC) is joined by thousands; due to the number of people taking part, the Royal Ulster Constabulary is unable to prevent it
1968-11-04 Northern Ireland Prime Minister Terence O'Neill meets British Prime Minister Harold Wilson for talks on Northern Ireland; Wilson states no change of constitutional position of Northern Ireland possible without consent of the its people
1968-11-08 Londonderry Corporation agreed to a Nationalist request to introduce a points system in the allocation of public sector housing in Northern Ireland

Derry Loyalist March

1968-11-09 Ian Paisley and Ronald Bunting lead a Loyalist march to the Diamond area of Derry, North Ireland

First Minister of Northern Ireland Ian Paisley

1968-11-13 William Craig, Home Affairs Minister, bans all marches, with the exception of 'customary' parades, in Derry, Northern Ireland; the exception of 'customary' parades meant that Loyalist institutions could parade but civil rights marches could not
1968-11-16 The Derry Citizens Action Committee defies a ban on marches in Derry, Northern Ireland, by marching with an estimated 15,000 people
1968-11-22 Terence O'Neill, then Northern Ireland Prime Minister, announced a package of reform measures granting concessions to the Catholic minority, in response to protest movement
1968-11-30 A Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association march in Armagh is stopped by Royal Ulster Constabulary because of the presence of a Loyalist counter demonstration led by Ian Paisley and Ronald Bunting
1968-12-04 Following a civil rights march in Dungannon, Northern Ireland, there is a violent clash between Loyalists and those who are taking part in the march
1968-12-09 Terence O'Neill, Northern Ireland Prime Minister, makes a television appeal for moderate opinion in what became known as the 'Ulster stands at the Crossroads' speech
1968-12-11 Northern Ireland Prime Minister Terence O'Neill sacks Home Affairs Minister, William Craig
1968-12-12 Northern Ireland Prime Minister Terence O'Neill receives overwhelming support from Unionist Members of Parliament (MPs) at Stormont
1968-12-24 Ballon d'Or: Manchester United's winger George Best wins award for best European football player ahead of teammate Bobby Charlton and Red Star Belgrade winger Dragan Džajić; first Northern Irish national to win the award
1969-01-09 Prime Minister of Northern Ireland Terence O'Neill travels to London to meet Home Secretary James Callaghan and brief him on the growing violence in Northern Ireland
1969-01-10 Pirate Radio Station Free Derby begins operation by Northern Ireland
1969-01-15 Prime Minister of Northern Ireland Terence O'Neill announces that an official inquiry will analyse the 'troubles' in Northern Ireland
1969-01-24 Deputy Prime Minister Brian Faulkner resigns from the Northern Ireland cabinet in protest at the lack of 'strong government' on the part of PM Terence O'Neill
1969-01-26 Minister of Health and Social Services William Morgan resigns from the Northern Ireland government
1969-02-03 Northern Ireland Prime Minister Terence O'Neill announces the dissolution of the Stormont parliament and the holding of new elections
1969-02-06 The New Ulster Movement forms, promoting moderate and non-sectarian policies and to assist those candidates who support Northern Ireland Prime MinisterTerence O'Neill
1969-02-24 Northern Ireland Stormont parliament elections are held; the Unionist party fragments into 'Official Unionist' and 'Unofficial Unionist'
1969-02-28 Terence O'Neill re-elected as leader of the Unionist Parliamentary Party and thus confirmed as Northern Ireland Prime Minister
1969-03-25 Ian Paisley and Ronald Bunting, loyalists in Northern Ireland are jailed for organising an illegal counter demonstration in Armagh on 30 November 1968
1969-03-30 Loyalists bomb water and electricity installations in Northern Ireland in the hope that the attacks would be blamed on the IRA and on elements of the civil rights movement, which was demanding an end to discrimination against Catholics
1969-04-19 Serious rioting in the Bogside area of Derry following clashes between Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association marchers and Loyalists and members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary
1969-04-21 The Ministry of Defence in London announces that British troops would be used in Northern Ireland to guard key public installations following a series of bombings
1969-04-22 Bernadette Devlin, the youngest woman ever to be elected to Westminster, makes a controversial maiden speech in the House of Commons concerning the situation in Northern Ireland
1969-04-23 The Unionist Parliamentary Party votes by 28 to 22 to introduce universal adult suffrage in local government elections in Northern Ireland; the demand for 'one man, one vote' had been one of the most powerful slogans of the civil rights movement
1969-04-24 Loyalist members of the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) and the Ulster Protestant Volunteers (UPV) explode a bomb at a water pipeline between Lough Neagh and Belfast, Northern Ireland
1969-04-28 Northern Ireland Prime Minister Terence O'Neill resigns and is replaced later by James Chichester-Clark
1969-05-01 James Chichester-Clark is elected as leader of the Unionist party, succeededing Terence O'Neill as the Northern Ireland Prime Minister
1969-05-06 Northern Ireland Prime Minister James Chichester-Clark announces an amnesty for all offences associated with demonstrations since 5 October 1968, resulting in the release of, among others, Ian Paisley and Ronald Bunting
1969-05-09 Following his release from prison Ian Paisley, North Ireland Loyalist holds a 'victory' meeting
1969-05-10 In an interview with the 'Belfast Telegraph' former Northern Ireland Prime Minister Terence O'Neill states: "if you give Roman Catholics a good job and a good house, they will live like Protestants, ... They will refuse to have 18 children"
1969-06-15 The Campaign for Social Justice publish a second edition of 'Northern Ireland The Plain Truth' which set out the allegations of discrimination against Catholics by Unionists in the region
1969-06-18 A report published by the International Commission of Jurists on the British government's policy in Northern Ireland is critical of both the British government and the Northern Ireland government
1969-06-22 The Derry Housing Action Committee (DHAC) stage a protest by blocking the Lecky Road in the Bogside area of Derry, Northern Ireland
1969-07-13 North Ireland loyalist Ian Paisley addresses a crowd at Loughgall, County Antrim, and is reported to have said: "I am anti-Roman Catholic, but God being my judge, I love the poor dupes who are ground down under that system."
1969-08-14 British Army deploys on the streets of Northern Ireland, marking the beginning of Operation Banner
1969-08-14 In response to events in Derry, Irish nationalists hold protests throughout Northern Ireland, some of these became violent
1969-12-18 House of Lords votes to abolish the death penalty in England, Wales and Scotland (Northern Ireland 25 July 1973)

Chichester-Clark meets Callaghan

1970-02-01 Northern Ireland PM Chichester-Clark meets British Home Secretary James Callaghan to discuss the economy of Northern Ireland

Meeting of Interest

1970-10-30 Northern Ireland Prime Minister James Chichester-Clark meets with British Home Secretary Reginald Maulling to discuss matters related to reforms and security

Prime Minister of Northern Ireland James Chichester-Clark

1970-11-12 The Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) is formed; the NIHE gradually took over control of the building and allocation of public sector housing in Northern Ireland
1970-12-08 Head of the Catholic Church in Ireland Cardinal William Conway publishes a pamphlet on the topic of segregation in education in Northern Ireland
1970-12-23 A Protestant man is shot dead at his home in Belfast, North Ireland
1970-12-30 The financial cost of the disturbances and riots in Northern Ireland during 1969 and 1970 are today estimated to be £5.5 million
1971-01-18 Northern Ireland Prime Minister James Chichester-Clark meets British Home Secretary Reginald Maudling
1971-01-23 Riots break out in the Shankill Road area of Belfast, North Ireland
1971-01-25 The 170 delegates of the Ulster Unionist Council (UUC) call for the resignation of Northern Ireland Prime Minister James Chichester-Clark
1971-02-04 Lieutenant-General Vernon Erskine-Crum becomes General Officer Commanding of the British Army in Northern Ireland

Famous People from Northern Ireland

Birthdays 1 - 100 of 169

1871-01-08 James Craig, 1st Viscount Craigavon, Irish unionist politician and the first Prime Minister of Northern Ireland (1921-1940), born in Belfast, Ireland (d. 1940)
1876-04-11 Paul Henry, Northern Irish artist, born in Belfast, Ireland (d. 1958)
1882-06-09 Robert Kerr, Canadian sprinter (1909 Olympics), born in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland (d. 1963)

Harry Ferguson (1884-1960)

1884-11-04 Irish aviator, engineer and inventor of the modern tractor, born in County Down, Ireland, United Kingdom [1]

1886-06-24 George Shiels, Irish dramatist, known for "The Rugged Path", born in Ballymoney, County Antrim (d. 1949)
1897-09-01 Andy Kennedy, Irish soccer defender (2 caps, Arsenal), born in Belfast, Northern Ireland (d. 1963)

C. S. Lewis (1898-1963)

1898-11-29 British author (The Chronicles of Narnia), born in Belfast, Northern Ireland

1907-10-28 John Hewitt, Northern Irish poet, born in Belfast, Northern Ireland (d. 1987)
1909-04-30 F. E. McWilliam [Frederick Edward], Northern-Irish surrealist sculptor (Four Seasons Group), born in Banbridge, County Down (d. 1992)
1910-04-15 Ralph Grey, Baron Grey of Naunton, Governor of Northern Ireland (1968-73), born in Wellington, New Zealand (d. 1999)
1912-04-19 William Murray, British teacher and educationalist, born in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland (d. 1995)
1913-01-22 William Cardinal Conway, Northern Irish clergyman (d. 1977)

Terence O'Neill (1914-1990)

1914-09-10 Prime Minister of Northern Ireland (Ulster Unionist Party: 1963-69), born in London, England

1917-04-14 Valerie Hobson, British actress (Great Expectations), born in Larne, County Antrim, Ireland (d. 1998)
1918-02-07 Markey Robinson, Northern Irish painter (d. 1999)
1920-05-10 Basil Kelly, Irish barrister, politician and judge (Lord Chief Justice), born in Co. Monaghan (d. 2008)
1921-10-26 George Forrest, Northern Irish politician (d. 1968)
1922-03-31 Patrick Magee [McGee], Northern Irish actor (A Clockwork Orange; Barry Lyndon), born in Armagh, Northern Ireland (d. 1982)

James Chichester-Clark (1923-2002)

1923-02-12 Irish politician, Prime Minister of Northern Ireland (1969-71), born in Moyola Park, Londonderry

1923-05-24 Siobhán McKenna [Cionnaith], Irish stage actress (Saint Joan, The Chalk Garden), born in Belfast, Northern Ireland (d. 1986)
1923-05-29 Richard Worsley, British Army officer, born in Ballywalter, County Down, Northern Ireland (d. 2013)
1923-09-20 Geraldine Clinton Little, Irish poet (A Little Bouquet), born in Northern Ireland (d. 1997)
1923-11-03 Tomás Cardinal Ó Fiaich, Northern Irish clergyman (d. 1990)
1924-07-11 Charlie Tully, Northern Irish footballer, 1944-60 (Celtic) and team manager, 1964-71 (Bangor), born in Belfast, Northern Ireland (d. 1971)

1939-12-08 James Galway, Irish classical flutist known as "The Man With the Golden Flute", born in Belfast, Northern Ireland
1940-04-10 Gloria Hunniford [Mary Winifred Gloria Hunniford], British broadcaster and actress (Old Curiosity Shop), born in Portadown, Northern Ireland
1940-06-06 Willie-John McBride, Irish rugby union lock (63 Tests Ireland, 17 British Lions; Ballymena RFC) and coach (1983 Lions tour to NZ), born in Toomebridge, Northern Ireland
1941-10-28 John Hallam, British character actor, born in Lisburn, Northern Ireland (d. 2006)
1942-05-08 Terry Neill, Northern Irish soccer defender (59 caps; Arsenal, Hull City FC) and manager (Hull City FC, Tottenham, Arsenal), born in Belfast, Northern Ireland (d. 2022)
1942-09-14 Bernard MacLaverty, Northern Irish writer (Grace Notes), born in Belfast, Northern Ireland
1942-10-14 Billy Harrison, Irish rock guitarist (Them), born in Belfast, Northern Ireland
1942-12-03 Mike Gibson, Irish rugby union centre (69 caps Ireland, 12 British & Irish Lions, 9 Barbarians), born in Belfast, Northern Ireland
1943-05-22 Betty Williams, Northern Irish political activist (Nobel Peace Prize 1976), born in Belfast, Northern Ireland (d. 2020)
1943-06-03 Eddie McGrady, Northern Irish politician (SDLP) unseated Enoch Powell, Born in Downpatrick (d. 2013)

Jocelyn Bell Burnell (81 years old)

1943-07-15 Irish astrophysicist (discovered radio pulsars), born in Lurgan, Northern Ireland

1943-07-21 Henry McCullough, Irish guitarist (Wings), born in Portstewart, Northern Ireland (d. 2016)
1944-05-28 Patricia Quinn, Lady Stephens, Northern-Irish actress, voice artist and singer (The Rocky Horror Picture Show), born in Belfast, Northern Ireland
1944-07-24 Jim Armstrong, Irish rock guitarist (Them - "Here Comes The Night"), born in Belfast, Northern Ireland
1944-11-26 Alan Henderson, Irish rock bassist (Them), born in Belfast, Northern Ireland (d. 2017)

Van Morrison (78 years old)

1945-08-31 Northern Irish singer-songwriter (Astral Weeks; "Moondance"; "Brown-Eyed Girl"), born in Bloomfield, Belfast

1946-02-09 Séan Neeson, Northern Irish politician
1946-05-04 John Watson, Irish auto racer (World F1 C'ship 3rd 1982; 5 x F1 GP wins) and broadcaster (Eurosport, F1TV, BBC, BSkyb), born in Belfast, Northern Ireland
1946-05-22 George Best, Northern Irish footballer (Manchester United, Northern Ireland), born in Belfast
1946-10-31 Stephen Rea, Irish film and stage actor (Crying Game, Michael Collins), born in Belfast, Northern Ireland
1946-12-14 Jackie McAuley, Irish rock pianist (Them - "Here Comes The Night"), born in Coleraine, Londonderry, Northern Ireland
1947-04-17 Linda Martin, Irish singer and TV presenter, born in Belfast, Northern Ireland
1947-04-23 Bernadette Devlin McAliskey, Irish political activist, born in Cookstown, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland
1947-09-03 Eric Bell, Northern Irish rock guitarist (Thin Lizzy - "Whiskey In The Jar"), born in Belfast, Northern Ireland

Sam Neill (76 years old)

1947-09-14 New Zealand actor (Jurassic Park, Dead Calm, The Piano), born in Omagh, Northern Ireland

1947-12-03 John Wilson, Irish rock drummer (Them, 1965), born in Belfast, Northern Ireland
1948-04-04 Derek Thompson, Northern Irish actor (Charlie Fairhead - Casualty), born in Belfast, Northern Ireland
1948-07-23 John Cushnahan, Northern Irish politician, born in Belfast, Northern Ireland