1616 - Flight of the O'Donnells

The last of the O'Donnell clan leaders departed Ireland for Spain, following the earlier Flight of the Earls. This marked another significant exodus of Gaelic nobility from Ulster, further weakening the old Gaelic order. The departure of these influential families created a power vacuum in Ulster that would soon be filled by Protestant planters, fundamentally altering the region's social and political landscape.

1848 - Young Ireland Leaders Meet

Key figures of the Young Ireland movement gathered secretly in Ballinkeele House, County Wexford, to plan their upcoming rebellion. William Smith O'Brien and Thomas Francis Meagher led discussions on military strategy and potential foreign support. This clandestine meeting would prove crucial in shaping the subsequent, though ultimately unsuccessful, Young Irelander Rebellion.

1922 - National Army Captures Limerick

Following intense street fighting, the National Army secured control of Limerick City from anti-Treaty forces. The battle marked a turning point in the Civil War, with the pro-Treaty forces gaining control of another major urban center. The fighting had caused significant damage to the historic city center and resulted in numerous casualties on both sides.

1976 - First Woman Judge Appointed

Justice Eileen Kennedy became the first woman appointed to the Irish District Court, breaking a significant gender barrier in the Irish judicial system. Her appointment marked a milestone in Irish legal history and paved the way for greater female representation in the judiciary. Kennedy's achievement represented a step forward for women's rights in post-independence Ireland.