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On this day

June 12

1889
Other

June 12, 1889

Armagh Railway Disaster

On June 12, 1889, Ireland experienced its worst railway accident near Armagh. A Sunday school excursion train, overloaded with passengers, stalled on a steep gradient. Due to inadequate braking systems and operational errors, the rear portion of the train was uncoupled and rolled backward, colliding with another train following closely behind. The catastrophic collision resulted in the deaths of 80 people, many of whom were children, and left nearly 400 injured. The disaster led to significant reforms in railway safety regulations, including the passing of the Regulation of Railways Act in 1889.

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1916
Politics

June 12, 1916

Ulster Unionist Council Accepts Partition

On June 12, 1916, the Ulster Unionist Council convened and reluctantly agreed to accept British Prime Minister H. H. Asquith's (via David Lloyd George) proposal for the temporary exclusion of six north-eastern counties of Ulster from the forthcoming Home Rule Act. This decision, made during World War I, was a pivotal moment in the lead-up to the partition of Ireland. While initially proposed as a temporary measure, it laid the groundwork for the eventual division of the island and the creation of Northern Ireland, profoundly shaping the political landscape for decades to come.

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1973
Battles

June 12, 1973

Coleraine Bombing

On June 12, 1973, the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) detonated two car bombs in Coleraine, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. The first explosion, outside an off-license on Railway Road, resulted in the deaths of six elderly civilians and injured many more. This tragic event was a significant incident during The Troubles, highlighting the devastating impact of sectarian violence on innocent lives. A second bomb exploded shortly after, causing further damage but no additional fatalities. The bombing remains a somber memory in the history of the conflict.

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1988
Sports

June 12, 1988

First Major Tournament Qualification - Euro '88

Under the management of Jack Charlton, the Republic of Ireland qualified for their first-ever major international tournament, the 1988 UEFA European Championship in West Germany. The campaign included a famous 1-0 victory over England in their opening game, with a goal from Ray Houghton.

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