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On this day

October 22

1641
Battles

October 22, 1641

Ulster Rising of 1641 Begins

On October 22, 1641, the Irish Rebellion of 1641 commenced in Ulster, spearheaded by Sir Phelim O’Neill. The uprising began with the seizure of Charlemont Fort in County Armagh, marking the start of a broader revolt against English rule and Protestant settlers. Initially intended as a limited action by Catholic gentry to gain concessions, it quickly escalated into a widespread popular revolt with sectarian overtones. This event triggered a decade of conflict, culminating in Cromwell's brutal reconquest of Ireland and profoundly shaping Irish history by intensifying religious divisions and altering socio-economic power structures for centuries.

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1920
Battles

October 22, 1920

Toureen Ambush

On October 22, 1920, during the Irish War of Independence, the Cork No. 3 Brigade (West Cork) of the Irish Republican Army, led by Tom Barry, carried out a successful ambush against members of the Essex Regiment at Toureen, County Cork. The engagement resulted in the deaths of five British soldiers, with four wounded and six captured. This operation was a significant victory for the IRA, demonstrating their tactical effectiveness and contributing to the ongoing guerrilla warfare against British forces in Ireland. The ambush highlighted the intensity of the conflict in rural areas and further fueled the struggle for Irish independence.

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1935
Deaths

October 22, 1935

Death of Sir Edward Carson

Sir Edward Carson, a prominent Irish Unionist barrister and politician, died on October 22, 1935. Born in Dublin, Carson became a leading figure in opposing Irish Home Rule, advocating for the retention of Ulster within the United Kingdom. He played a crucial role in the formation of the Ulster Volunteer Force and was instrumental in the political landscape of early 20th-century Ireland, particularly in the events leading up to the partition of Ireland. His death marked the end of an era for a key figure in Irish politics, whose legacy continues to be debated in discussions of Irish nationalism and unionism.

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