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December 29

1739
Other

December 29, 1739

The Great Frost Begins in Ireland

On December 29, 1739, a severe easterly storm ushered in what became known as the 'Great Frost' in Ireland. This meteorological event, characterized by seven weeks of sub-zero temperatures, had devastating consequences. Major rivers like the Liffey, Shannon, and Boyne froze solid, and the entire potato crop was wiped out. The extreme cold and lack of fodder led to widespread livestock deaths. This period was a prelude to the severe famine of 1740-1741, which, in relative terms, was more devastating than the Great Famine of the 1840s, causing the deaths of an estimated 310,000 to 480,000 people out of a population of 2.5 million.

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1922
Battles

December 29, 1922

Executions of John Murphy and John Phelan

On December 29, 1922, during the Irish Civil War, two Anti-Treaty IRA volunteers, John Murphy and John Phelan, were executed by Free State troops in Kilkenny Barracks. These executions were part of a broader policy by the Provisional Government to suppress opposition to the Anglo-Irish Treaty. The executions followed a period of intense conflict and political tension after the establishment of the Irish Free State. Murphy and Phelan were among 81 Anti-Treaty prisoners formally sanctioned for execution by the pro-Treaty Army Council during the war, highlighting the brutal realities and deep divisions of the Civil War period.

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1937
Politics

December 29, 1937

Adoption of the Constitution of Ireland

On December 29, 1937, the Constitution of Ireland (Bunreacht na hÉireann) came into effect, replacing the 1922 Constitution of the Irish Free State. This pivotal event formally established Ireland as a sovereign, independent state, changing its name from the Irish Free State to 'Ireland' (Éire in Irish). The new constitution also instituted the office of President of Ireland, replacing the Governor-General. This marked a significant step in Ireland's journey towards full self-determination, asserting its distinct identity and severing remaining constitutional ties to the British Crown. The constitution claimed jurisdiction over the entire island, though acknowledging that its laws would not apply in Northern Ireland.

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