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On this day

December 1

1494
Politics

December 1, 1494

Poynings' Law enacted

Poynings' Law, also known as the Statute of Drogheda, was an Act of the Parliament of Ireland enacted on December 1, 1494. It stipulated that the Irish Parliament could not convene or pass legislation without prior approval from both Ireland's Lord Deputy and Privy Council, and England's monarch and Privy Council. This law significantly curtailed the legislative independence of the Irish Parliament, placing it under direct English control. It became a major point of contention for Irish self-government movements until its eventual repeal in 1878.

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1848
Other

December 1, 1848

Londonderry Steamer Tragedy

On December 1, 1848, during the Great Famine, 72 Irish emigrants suffocated in the aft cabin of the paddle steamer 'Londonderry'. The ship, traveling from Sligo to Liverpool, sought shelter in Derry harbour during a storm. The captain ordered all steerage passengers into a small, unventilated cabin, leading to the tragic deaths of 31 women, 18 children, and 23 men. An inquest found the captain and two mates guilty of manslaughter, highlighting the inhumane conditions faced by famine emigrants.

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1956
Sports

December 1, 1956

Fred Tiedt Wins Olympic Silver

Fred Tiedt earned an Olympic silver medal in the Welterweight division at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, contributing to a successful Games for Irish boxing.

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1956
Sports

December 1, 1956

Ronnie Delany Wins Olympic Gold (1500m)

Ronnie Delany won the gold medal in the 1500m at the Melbourne Olympic Games, a historic achievement that captivated the nation and cemented his place as an Irish sporting legend.

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1972
Battles

December 1, 1972

Dublin Bus Bombings

On December 1, 1972, two car bombs exploded in Dublin, at Eden Quay and Sackville Place, killing two men and injuring 131 people. These attacks occurred while Dáil Éireann was debating an an amendment to the Offences Against the State Act, aimed at introducing stricter measures against the Provisional IRA. It is believed the bombings were intended to influence the vote, which subsequently passed, granting special emergency powers. No group officially claimed responsibility, but loyalist paramilitaries, possibly the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF), are suspected.

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