1939 in Ireland
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
See also: 1938 in Ireland, other events of 1939, 1940 in Ireland and the list of 'years in Ireland'.
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[edit] Events
- January 11 - The INTO Congess in Galway calls on the government to abolish the ban on married women teachers.
- January 28 - William Butler Yeats, poet, playwright and senator, dies aged 73.
- February 12 - The Department of External Affairs announces that it recognises the government of General Francisco Franco.
- March 12 - An Taoiseach Eamon de Valera attends the coronation of Pope Pius XII in Rome.
- March 16 - Éamon de Valera is greeted by Benito Mussolini in Rome. A luncheon is held in honour of An Taoiseach.
- March 22 - Ireland's neutrality is discussed during a Dáil debate on defence estimates. The government considered the implications to the export market to Britain if a neutral stand is taken.
- March 30 - The Treason Bill passes its fifth and final stage in Dáil Éireann.
- April 9 - The Gaelic Athletic Association votes to keep the name of President Douglas Hyde off its list of patrons. The situation arose when the President attended an international soccer game.
- April 17 - The Prime Minister of Northern Ireland, Lord Craigavon, dismisses the Dublin government's position of neutrality as cowardly.
- April 19 - In a speech to Seanad Éireann An Taoiseach Éamon de Valera refers to the dropping of all references to the King and Great Britain from new Irish passports.
- May 4 - The Prime Minister of Northern Ireland announces that conscription will not be extended to Northern Ireland.
- May 18 - The Earl of Iveagh presents the Irish Government with his Dublin townhouse.
- June 2 - The Treason Act 1939 becomes law. A sentence of death may be passed on anyone convicted of levying war against the State.
- September 1 - A state of emergency is declared by the government.
- September 2 - An Taoiseach Eamon de Valera tells the Dáil that Ireland will remain neutral in the European War.
- September 3 - The Emergency Powers Act comes into force today as Britain and France declare war on Germany.
- September 4 - SS Athenia torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean. Knut Nelson (Norway) lands 450 survivors in Galway.
- September 13 - The Minister for Supplies, Sean Lemass, introduces petrol rationing.
- October 30 - More than two dozen air-raid sirens, acquired by the Corporation, are tested across Dublin City.
- December 23 - 1 million rounds of ammunition are stolen from the national arsenal at the Phoenix Park by pro-Nazi elements of the IRA.
[edit] Sport
[edit] Football
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- Winners: Shamrock Rovers
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- Winners: Shelbourne 1 - 1, 1 - 0 Sligo Rovers. English football goalscoring legend Dixie Dean plays in the final for Rovers.
[edit] Births
- 2 February - Desmond O'Malley, former Fianna Fáil TD and founder of the Progressive Democrats.
- 24 March - John McCartin, Member of the European Parliament, member of the Seanad.
- 9 May - Padraig Flynn, former Fianna Fáil TD, Cabinet Minister and European Commissioner.
- 16 August - Seán Brady, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland.
- 10 September - Edward Plunkett, 20th Baron Dunsany, artist.
- 11 October - Austin Currie, founder-member of the Social Democratic and Labour Party and former Fine Gael TD.
- 2 November - John Buckley, Bishop of Cork and Ross (1997 - ).
[edit] Deaths
- January 28 - William Butler Yeats, poet, 1923 Nobel Prize in Literature, nominated by the President of the Executive Council in the Seanad in 1922 and 1925
- June 28 - James Dowdall, company director, Independent member of the 1922 Seanad and continued as a senator until 1936 - nominated by the President of the Executive Council on four occasions
- September 8 - Colonel Maurice George Moore, author and soldier, Independent member of the 1922 Seanad, served until 1939
- December 14 - Samuel Lombard Brown KC, Independent member of 1922 Seanad, elected to fill vacancy caused by resignation of Sir Horace Plunkett.
