Timeline

21 January: First meeting of Dáil Éireann in Dublin’s Mansion House declares Ireland independent. From the Houses of the Oireachtas: Dáil100.   21 January: Soloheadbeg ambush in Co. Tipperary. Two members of RIC are killed in an attack by members of the IRA under Dan Breen and Sean Treacy; this is generally regarded as the first engagement of…

3 Feb: North Roscommon by-election won by George Plunkett, father of the executed Joseph Mary Plunkett, on a separatist ticket. From Century Ireland: Count Plunkett victorious in North Roscommon by-election.   7 March: Prime Minister Lloyd George give speech in House of Commons accepting the validity of unionist position, thereby prompting John Redmond and nationalist MPs…

Jan: Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB) decide to embark upon an insurrection as soon as possible.   10 Jan: Evacuation of allied forces from Gallipoli completed. From Century Ireland: Gallipoli evacuation complete   19-22 Jan: James Connolly co-opted onto IRB Military Council in Dublin. From UCD Decade of Centenaries: read the Dictionary of Irish Biography entry on…

5 January: W.T. Cosgrave returned unopposed as Sinn Féin member of Dublin Corporation.   24 January: Naval battle of Dogger Bank.   18 February: Beginning of German naval blockade of Britain and Ireland. From Century Ireland: Germany declares Irish sea to be a ‘war zone’.   2 March: Suppression of Arthur Griffith’s newspaper Scissors and paste. From…

1914:   18 January: ITGWU, in closed session, recommends that members return to work if they are not obliged to take pledge repudiating membership. From History Ireland: The aftermath of the Dublin Lockout.   20 March: ‘Curragh Incident’: 57 of 70 officers of the 3rd Cavalry Brigade, along with their commanding officer, Gen. Hubert Gough,…