1848 - Young Ireland Rising

William Smith O'Brien led a failed rising at Ballingarry, County Tipperary, marking the culmination of the Young Ireland movement's revolutionary ambitions. The "Battle of Widow McCormack's Cabbage Patch" ended in disarray when police barricaded themselves in a farmhouse with local children. Despite its failure, the rising would influence future generations of Irish revolutionaries.

1907 - Belfast Dock Strike

Jim Larkin addressed a mass meeting of striking dock workers in Belfast, temporarily uniting Protestant and Catholic workers. The strike demonstrated the potential for class solidarity to overcome sectarian divisions. Larkin's success in organizing across the religious divide alarmed both employers and religious leaders.

1922 - Civil War Intensifies

Free State forces launched a major offensive against anti-Treaty positions in Cork city. The operation marked a significant escalation in the Civil War, with artillery being used against republican strongholds. The intensity of the fighting reflected the growing bitterness of the conflict.

1971 - Internment Begins

Operation Demetrius commenced as security forces arrested hundreds of nationalist men across Northern Ireland. The dawn raids, targeting suspected IRA members, would prove highly controversial and counterproductive. Many of those arrested had no connection to republican activities, while key IRA figures avoided capture.

1981 - Prison Protest

The families of remaining hunger strikers met with Catholic Church representatives to discuss possible mediation efforts. The deaths of nine prisoners had created intense pressure for a resolution. The meetings reflected growing concern about the continuing loss of life.