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January 28

1610
Politics

January 28, 1610

The Plantation of Derry

On January 28, 1610, the English Crown and the Irish Society of London, a consortium of city companies, formalized an agreement to undertake the plantation of Derry, Coleraine, and parts of County Tyrone. This initiative was a significant phase of the Ulster Plantation, aiming to colonize the region with Protestant settlers from Great Britain. The agreement led to the renaming of Derry to Londonderry, reflecting the involvement of the London companies. This event profoundly impacted the demographic, political, and religious landscape of Ulster, laying foundations for future conflicts and shaping the identity of the region for centuries to come.

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1858
Politics

January 28, 1858

Fenian Brotherhood Established

The Fenian Brotherhood was formally established in Dublin on January 28, 1858. This revolutionary organization, dedicated to achieving an independent Irish Republic through armed rebellion against British rule, was founded by James Stephens and John O'Mahony. Its establishment marked a crucial development in Irish nationalism, influencing subsequent generations of Irish republicans. The Fenians organized extensively in Ireland and among the Irish diaspora, particularly in the United States, and their activities, though ultimately unsuccessful in achieving their immediate goals, significantly contributed to the ongoing struggle for Irish independence.

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1939
Deaths

January 28, 1939

Death of W.B. Yeats

On January 28, 1939, William Butler Yeats, one of Ireland's most celebrated poets and a towering figure of 20th-century literature, passed away at the age of 73 in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, France. A Nobel laureate in Literature (1923), Yeats was a driving force behind the Irish Literary Revival and a co-founder of the Abbey Theatre. His poetic works, deeply rooted in Irish mythology and folklore, explored themes of nationalism, love, and mysticism. His death marked the end of an era for Irish literature, leaving behind a legacy that continues to influence poets and writers worldwide.

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