December 31

Published in On this Day listing

  • 1961 Radio Teilifís Éireann, the national television service, was launched with an address by President Eamon de Valera.
  • 1869 Henri Matisse (84), leading figure in modern art, born in Le Cateau-Cambrésis in the Nord department in northern France.
  • 1961 Telefís Éireann was launched by President Eamon de Valera.
  • 1964 Daniel Corkery (86), teacher and author, notably of The hidden Ireland (1924), died.
  • 1930 Mayo County Council was dissolved for refusing to appoint Miss Letitia Dunbar-Harrison, a Protestant and Trinity College graduate, who was the recommended candidate of the Local Appointments Commission for the position of County Librarian. The council claimed that her grasp of Irish was inadequate.
  • 1909 Harry Ferguson flew 130 yards in force nine winds in a monoplane at Hillsborough Forest Park, Co. Down, thus becoming the first Irishman to build and fly his own aeroplane.
  • 1759 Arthur Guinness secured a 9,000-year lease on four acres of ground at St James’s Gate, Dublin, for an annual rent of £45, including water rights.
  • 1975 Five people were killed and 30 injured in Iarnród Éireann’s worst disaster at Clogh Bridge, Tubberneering, Co. Wexford.
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