yesterday.ie
← All Dates

On this day

March 30

1603
Battles

March 30, 1603

Treaty of Mellifont

The Treaty of Mellifont, signed on March 30, 1603, formally concluded the Nine Years' War (1594–1603) in Ireland. This conflict pitted Hugh O'Neill, the Earl of Tyrone, and his Irish allies against the English Crown. The treaty, signed shortly after the death of Queen Elizabeth I, offered surprisingly lenient terms to O'Neill, allowing him to retain his lands and titles under English suzerainty. However, the agreement ultimately solidified English control over Ireland, marking a significant turning point in Irish history and paving the way for further plantation policies in Ulster.

Read the full story →
1798
Politics

March 30, 1798

Ireland Declared in State of Rebellion

On March 30, 1798, the Irish Privy Council issued a proclamation declaring Ireland to be in a state of rebellion and imposing martial law across the country. This drastic measure was a direct response to the growing threat posed by the United Irishmen, a revolutionary republican organization seeking to overthrow British rule and establish an independent Irish republic. The proclamation escalated tensions significantly, effectively setting the stage for the widespread 1798 Rebellion that erupted just two months later, a pivotal moment in Ireland's struggle for independence.

Read the full story →
1979
Other

March 30, 1979

Airey Neave Assassination

Airey Neave, a prominent British Conservative Party politician and spokesman on Northern Ireland affairs, was assassinated on March 30, 1979. He was killed by a car bomb planted by the Irish National Liberation Army (INLA) as he drove out of the House of Commons underground car park in London. Neave's death was a significant event during The Troubles, highlighting the reach and deadly intent of paramilitary groups. His assassination sent shockwaves through the British political establishment and underscored the ongoing violence associated with the conflict in Northern Ireland.

Read the full story →