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Irish calendar

The Irish calendar does not observe the astronomical seasons (beginning, in the Northern Hemisphere, on the equinoxes and solstices), or the meteorological seasons (beginning on March 1, June 1, September 1 and December 1), but rather follows the seasons of the ancient Celts (see below) which are pre-Christian in origin. This is particularly evident in the Irish naming of many of the months: some names, like May (Bealtaine), August (Lughnasadh)/Lúnasa) and November (Samhain, sometimes also in the form of Mí na Samhna) were the names of pagan Celtic festivals. In addition, the names for September and October (Meán Fómhair and Deireadh Fómhair respectively) translate directly as "middle of autumn" and "end of autumn". Christianity has also left its mark on the Irish months: December is Mí na Nollag, or just Nollaig, the latter word also meaning Christmastide.

Seasons

Winter (end)

January - Eanáir

January 1 - New Year's Day, one of the Public Holidays in the Republic of Ireland.
- 1871 - disestablishment of Church of Ireland takes effect
- 1926 - 2RN (original radio station of present RTÉ) set up
- 1973 - Ireland becomes a member of the EU.
- 1975 - Ireland assumes first Presidency of the Council of the European Union (see July 1)
- 1984 - Galway City begins year long celebration of 500th anniversity (quincentennial) of mayoral status with Festival Eucharist in St. Nicholas' Collegiate Church
- 1990 - Ireland assumes fourth Presidency of Council of the European Union
- 2002 - Euro replaces punt as Irish currency
- 2004 - Ireland assumes sixth Presidency of the Council of the European Union
January 2 - St. Munchin, Patron of the Diocese of Limerick
January 3 - 1946: execution of William Joyce, Lord Haw-Haw
January 5 - Twelfth Night
- 1839 - The Night of the Big Wind
- 1976 - death of John A. Costello former Taoiseach
January 6 - Little Christmas (Nollaig Bheag) and/or Women's Christmas (Nollaig na mBan)
- and/or Twelfth Day (the traditional end of the Christmas season), and for Irish Roman Catholics, a Holy Day of Obligation
January 7 - 1922: Anglo-Irish Treaty ratified by Dáil Éireann
January 8 - 1979: Whiddy Island disaster in Bantry Bay
January 13 - 1941: death of James Joyce
January 14 - 1965: Sean Lemass, Taoiseach, visits Prime Minister of Northern Ireland, Terence O'Neill
January 16 - 1922: Michael Collins accepts surrender of Dublin Castle from the Viceroy, Lord Fitzalan
January 17 - 1860: birth of Douglas Hyde
January 20 -1968: death of Sir Alfred Chester Beatty
January 21 - 1919: Meeting of the First Dáil in the Mansion House, Dublin
- Irish War of Independence begins with ambush in Co. Tipperary
January 22 - 1971: Ireland signs Treaty of Accession to EEC in Brussels
January 27 - 1967: Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association founded
January 28 - 1939: death of William Butler Yeats
January 30 - 1808 work begins on Nelson's Pillar, Dublin.
- 1972 - Bloody Sunday in Derry
January 31 - St. Aiden, Patron of the Diocese of Ferns

Spring

(February, March and April)

February - Feabhra

February 1 - Imbolc, Feast of St. Brigid (Secondary Patron of Ireland) and Lá Feabhra, the first day of Spring
February 2 - Candlemas
February 3 - feast of Saint Blaise
- 1882: birth of James Joyce
February 6 - Feast of St. Mel, patron of the Diocese of Ardagh
- 1971 - first British soldier kiiled in Belfast
February 13 - 1893: Gladstone introduces second Home Rule bill
February 14 - St. Valentine's Day (relics of St. Valentine held inWhitefriar Street Carmelite Church in Dublin.
- 1468 - 8th earl of Desmond beheaded in Drogheda
- 1981 - Stardust Ballroom fire in Artane, Dublin kills 48.
February 15 - 1971: Decimal Day- Ireland abandons £sd.
February 18 - 1948: John A. Costello becomes Taoiseach
- 1982 - first of two General Elections in Republic this year (see 24 Nov.)
February 19 - 1366: Statutes of Kilkenny promulgated
February 24 - 1582: Bull of Pope Gregory XIII, for reform of calendar, issued at Rome

March - Márta

March 1 - 1981: Bobby Sands begins hunger strike in Maze Prison
March 3 - Charter of Trinity College, Dublin granted.
March 5 - Feast of St. Kieran, patron of the Diocese of Ossory
March 6 - 1152: Synod of Kells convenes.
March 7 - 1848: first unveiling of the Irish tricolour (in Waterford).
March 8 - 1966: Nelson's Pillar destoyed in explosion
March 9 - 1932: Eamon de Valera elected President of the Executive Council of the Irish Free State
March 10 - 1894: Ireland wins Rugby Triple Crown for first time
March 13 - 1979: Ireland joins new European Monetary System (EMS)
March 17 - Saint Patrick's Day (public holiday), and for Irish Roman Catholics, a Holy Day of Obligation
- 1799 and 1940 - Palm Sunday and St.Patrick's Day fall on same date - "the palm and the shamrock worn together".
March 18 - 1899: Ireland wins Rugby Triple Crown for 2nd time
March 21 - 1978 death of Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh former President of Ireland
March 23 - 1971: Brian Faulkner elected PM of Northern Ireland
March 24 - Feast of St. Macartan, patron of the Diocese of Clogher
- 1909: death of John Millington Synge
- 1972: Brian Faulkner resigns as PM of Northern Ireland
- William Whitelaw appointed as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
March 29 - 1859: first issue of The Irish Times
March 25 - One of the four Irish Quarter days
March 29 - 2004: Smoking ban in all work places introduced in Ireland
March 30 - 1979: Ireland announces ending of one-for-one parity with sterling.

The last days of March and the first three days of April are known as The Old Cows Days/The Days of the Brindled Cow or, in the Irish language, Laethanta an Bó Riabhaigh.

April - Aibreán

April 1 - April Fool's Day - Lá na nAmadáin
- 1943 - creation of the Office of Chief Herald of Ireland to replace Ulster King of Arms approved by Government of Ireland
April - 1914: Cumann na mBan founded
April 4 - 1774: death of Oliver Goldsmith
April 8 - Gladstone introduces first Home Rule bill.
April 10 - 1966: Commemoration of 50th anniversary of Easter Rising begins
- 1998, Good Friday Agreement, signed in Belfast.
April 11 - 1951: Dr Noel Browne, resigns as Minister for Health over "mother-and-child" controversy
April 13 - 1742: world premiere of Handels Messiah in Dublin
- 1829 - Catholic Emancipation achieved
- 1906: birth of Samuel Beckett, Good Friday
April 16 - 1871: birth of John Millington Synge
April 17 - 1783: British Renunciation Act recognises Irish legislative independence
April 18 - Feast of St Laserian, patron of Leighlin Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin.
- 1949 - The Republic of Ireland Act comes into force.
April 19 - 1875: Charles Stewart Parnell elected MP for Meath
April 20 - 1912: death of Bram Stoker
- 1954 - Michael Manning becomes the last person to be executed in Ireland
- 1981 - Bobby Sands elected Sinn Féin MP, while on hunger strike
April 21 - 1916: Roger Casement lands at Banna Strand
April 23 - 1014: Battle of Clontarf and death of Brian Boru, High King of Ireland on Good Friday
April 24 - 1916: Start of the Easter Rising.
April 28 - 1958: Aer Lingus service to North America inaugurated
April 29 - 1916: Easter Rising ends with surrender
April 30 - 1994: First performance of Riverdance at Eurovision Song Contest

Summer

(May, June and July)

May - Bealtaine

The first Monday in May is a public holiday.

May 1 - Beltane and Lá Bealtaine, the first day of Summer
- 1316 - Edward Bruce crowned King of Ireland near Dundalk
- 2004 - Ireland, holder of the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, hosts a Day of Welcomes for the ten accession states.
May 2 - 1872: St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin, becomes the National Cathedral of the Church of Ireland
- 1984 - Report of the New Ireland Forum published
- 1969 - James Chichester-Clark becomes Prime Minister of Northern Ireland
May 3 - Feast of St Conleth, patron of Kildare Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin
- 1785: first meeting of the Royal Irish Academy
- 1933 - Oath of Allegiance (Ireland) to King abolished in Irish Free State
May 5 - 1949: Ireland one of ten founder members of Council of Europe with HQ is Strasbourg
- 1981 - death of Bobby Sands MP while on hunger strike
May 6 - 1074: death of Dúnán, first bishop of Dublin
- 1970: Charles J. Haughey and Neil Blaney dismissed from Government of Ireland
May 7 - 1915: Lusitania sunk off Old Head of Kinsale
- 1931 - An Óige (Irish Youth Hostel Association) founded
May 11 - 1967: Ireland applies to join EEC
- 1971 - death of Sean Lemass, former Taoiseach
May 13 - 653 (Pentecost Sunday): Monastery founded on Iona by Saint Columcille
May 14 - Feast of St. Carthage, patron of Lismore Diocese of Waterford and Lismore
- 1660 - Following Restoration of monarchy in England, Charles II proclaimed King of Ireland in Dublin.
May 15 - 1847: death of Daniel O'Connell at Genoa
May 16 - Feast of Saint Brendan, patron of the Diocese of Clonfert
- 1926 - Fianna Fáil party founded
May 19 - 1870: Home Rule movement founded by Isaac Butt in Dublin.
May 21 - 1799: Bill of Union (later the Act of Union) introduced in Irish House of Commons
May 24 - 1487: Lambert Simnel crowned "Edward VI of England" in Dublin.
May 25 - 1914: Third Home Rule bill passed by British Parliament
May 26 - 1972: Special Criminal Court established in RoI
May 30 - 1941: Enactment of Second Amendment of the Constitution Act.
- 1983 - first meeting in Dublin Castle of the New Ireland Forum
May 31 - 1941: Luftwaffe bombs Dublin

June - Meitheamh

The first Monday in June is a public holiday.

June 3 - Feast of St. Kevin (Abbot of Glendalough) and patron of the Archdiocese of Dublin,
June 4 - 1798: death of Lord Edward Fitzgerald
June 6 - Feast of St. Jarlath patron of the Archdiocese of Tuam
June 7 - 1921: first meeting of House of Commons of Northern Ireland
- 1979 - Ireland participates in the first direct elections to the European Parliament
June 8 - First Home Rule bill defeated
June 9 - Feast of Saint Columcille (Secondary Patron of Ireland)
- 1549 - Book of Common Prayer ordered to be used in Ireland
June 10 - 1642: first rgularly constituted presbytery meets in Carrickfergus.
June 13 - 1713: Jonathan Swift installed as Dean of St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin
- 1865: birth of William Butler Yeats
June 14 - 1939: Offences Against the State Act passed
June 16 - Bloomsday
June 16 - 1922: Elections held for Third Dáil
June 18 - 1541: Henry VIII declared King of Ireland by Irish Parliament.
June 20 - 1763: birth of Wolfe Tone
- 1990 - IR£1 punt coin replaces one-punt note
June 22 - 1866: creation of first Irish Cardinal, Archbishop Paul Cullen of Dublin.
June 23 - St. John's Eve / Bonfire Night
June 24 - One of the four Irish Quarter days
- 1828 - Daniel O'Connell elected MP in Clare by-election
June 25 - 1731: Royal Dublin Society founded.
- 1891 - Charles Stewart Parnell marries Kitty O'Shea
- 1938 - Douglas Hyde inaugurated as President of Ireland
- 1945 - Seán T. O'Kelly inaugurated as President of Ireland
- 1952 - Seán T. O'Kelly inaugurated for second term as President of Ireland.
- 1959 - Eamon de Valera inaugurated as President of Ireland.
- 1966 - Eamon de Valera inaugurated for second term as President of Ireland.
- 1970 - Roman Catholic bishops announce end of ban on RC attendance at Trinity College, Dublin
- 1973 - Erskine Childers inaugurated as President of Ireland.
June 26 - 1963: John F. Kennedy begins state visit to Ireland
June 29 - 1315: Edward Bruce inaugurated as High King of Ireland

July - Iúil

July 1 - 1937: Constitution of Ireland (Bunreacht na hÉireann), enacted by plebiscite.
- 1979 - Ireland assumes second Presidency of the Council of the European Union
- 1984 - Ireland assumes third Presidency of the Council of the European Union
- 1996 - Ireland assumes fifth Presidency of the Council of the European Union (see Jan. 1)
July 6 - 1907: theft of Irish Crown Jewels from Dublin Castle discovered
- 1962: - first transmission of The Late Late Show on RTÉ
July 8 - 689: Martyrdom of St Kilian at Würzburg
July 10 - 1931: assassination of Kevin O'Higgins Minister for Justice
July 11 - Feast of St Oliver Plunket
- 1921: Truce signed in the Irish War of Independence
- National Day of Commemoration held on the nearest Sunday to July 11.
July 12 - a public holiday in Northern Ireland
- 1690: Battle of the Boyne
- 1691: Battle of Aughrim
- 1949: death of Douglas Hyde
July 15 - 1948: An Taisce, the National Trust for Ireland, set up
July 18 - 1872 introduction of the secret ballot
- 1951 - Abbey Theatre destroyed by fire
July 21 - 1976: assassination of Christopher Ewart-Biggs British ambassador to Ireland
July 23 - 1693: death of Patrick Sarsfield, at Battle of Landen
- 1803 - start of rebellion led by Robert Emmet
July 24 - Feast of St. Declan
- 1943 - Edward Mac Lysaght appointed first Chief Herald of Ireland (see April 1)
July 26 - 1856: birth of George Bernard Shaw
- 1869 - Act disestablishing the Church of Ireland passed
July 31 - 1917: death of Francis Ledwidge
Garland Sunday (last Sunday of month)

Autumn

(August, September and October)

August - Lúnasa

The first Monday in August is a public holiday.

August 1 - Lughnasadh/Lá Lúnasa, the first day of Autumn
- 1908 - Irish Universities Act setting up the National University of Ireland passed
- 1915 Padraig Pearse delivers oration at grave of O'Donovan Rossa
August 2 - 1799: pre-union Irish Parliament meets for last time
- 1907 - Ne temere decree on mixed marriages issued by Vatican
August 5 - 1847: funeral in Dublin of Daniel O'Connell
August 8 - 1923: Act to establish Garda Síochána passed
August 9 - Feast of St. Felim and St. Nathy
August 10 - 1636: compilation of the Annals of the Four Masters completed.
August 11 - 1927: Fianna Fáil TDs take seats in Dáil Éireann
August 12 - 1922: death of Arthur Griffith
August 14 - 1903: Wyndham Land Act passed
August 15 - Feast of The Assumption of Mary
- for Irish Roman Catholics, a Holy Day of Obligation
- 1649: Oliver Cromwell arrives in Dublin.
August 16 - 1921: First meeting of Second Dáil
August 19 - 1504: Battle of Knockdoe
- 1887: birth of Francis Ledwidge
August 21 - 1970: Social Democratic and Labour Party-SDLP founded
August 26 - 1921: Eamon de Valera elected President of the Irish Republic
August 22 - 1922: death of Michael Collins
August 23 - 1170: Richard de Clare, Strongbow, lands near Waterford.
August 25 - 1170: Strongbow marries Aoife, daughter of Diarmuid MacMorrough the King of Leinster.
August 27 - 1979: Lord Mountbatten killed in IRA assassination in County Sligo
August 29 - 1890: National Museum of Ireland and National Gallery of Ireland opened.
- 1975: death of Eamon de Valera.
August 30 - Feast of St. Fiacre (Fiachra)

September - Meán Fómhair

September 1 - 1737: first issue of Belfast News Letter.
September 2 - 1939: Enactment of First Amendment Amendment of the Constitution Act.
- Ireland declares neutrality in World War II
September 4 - 1607: the Flight of the Earls.
September 5 - 1931: first issue of The Irish Press newspaper
September 7 - 1948: John A. Costello announces his intention of declaring Ireland a republic in Ottawa
September 9 - Feast of St. Kieran of Clonmacnoise
- 1893 - Second Home Rule bill defeated in House of Lords
- 1922: First meeting of Third Dáil
- 1981: National Concert Hall in Dublin officially opened
September 10 - 1923: Irish Free State joins League of Nations
September 11 - Drogheda captured by Cromwell
September 14 - Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (the following Wednesday, Friday and Saturday were observed as Quarter tense)
September 16 - 1961: Hurricane Debbie hits Ireland.
September 18 - 1914: Third Home Rule bill receives Royal Assent but its implementation is suspended.
September 20 - 1803: death of Robert Emmet
September 25 - Feast of St. Finbarr
September 26 - Eamon de Valera makes inaugural speech as Chairman of the League of Nations
September 28 - 1484: creation of the Wardenship of Galway
- 1912: Solemn League and Covenant signed throughout Ulster
September 29 - One of the four Irish Quarter days
- 1979: Pope John Paul II begins historic three-day visit to Ireland

October - Deireadh Fómhair

The last Monday in October is a public holiday.

October 3 - 1691: Treaty of Limerick signed.
October 5 - 1582: as a consequence of the introduction of the Gregorian calendar, Oct.5, - Oct.14, not included in calendar for 1582
- 1871: Fenian invasion of Canada.
October 6 - 1175: Treaty of Windsor signed
- 1891 - death of Charles Stewart Parnell in Brighton.
October 11 - Feast of St. Canice
- 1922: Anglo-Irish Treaty negotiations begin at Downing Street, London
October 14 - 1882: birth of Eamon de Valera
- 1318 - death of Edward Bruce at Battle of Faughart
October 16 - Feast of St. Gall
- 1854: birth of Oscar Wilde
- 1890: birth of Michael Collins
October 19 - 1745: death of Jonathan Swift
October 22 - 1976: Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh resigns as President of Ireland.
October 25 - 1920: Terence MacSwiney, Lord Mayor of Cork, dies on 74th day of hunger strike
October 29 - Feast of St. Colman of Kilmacduagh
October 31 - Halloween/Samhain/Oíche Shamhna

Winter (start)

(November, December and January see above)

November - Samhain / Mí na Samhna

November 1 - All Saints Day and Lá Samhna (November Day), the first day of Winter
- for Irish Roman Catholics, a Holy Day of Obligation
- 1884 - Gaelic Athletic Association founded at Thurles
November 2 - 1950: death of George Bernard Shaw
November 3 - 1796 first court sittings at the Four Courts, Dublin
November 6 - Feast of All the Saints of Ireland
November 7 - 1791: The Custom House, Dublin, opened
November 8 - 1847: birth of Bram Stoker
November 10 - 1728: birth of Oliver Goldsmith
- 1966 - Jack Lynch elected Taoiseach
November 11 - 1933: Abolition of appeal from courts of the Irish Free State to the Privy Council.
- 1997 - Mary McAleese inaugurated as President of Ireland
November 16 - 1965: death of W.T. Cosgrave, first President of the Executive Council of the Irish Free State
November 17 - 1974: death in office of Erskine Childers, President of Ireland.
November 19 - 1798: death of Wolfe Tone
- 1913 - Irish Citizen Army founded
November 21 - 1921: Bloody Sunday in Dublin
November 24 - 1982: second General Election in Republic this year (see Feb. 18)
November 25 - 1913: Irish Volunteers founded
- 1966 - death of Seán T. O'Kelly, former President of Ireland
November 30 - 1667: birth of Jonathan Swift
- 1900: death of Oscar Wilde

December - Nollaig / Mí na Nollag'

December 1 - 1494: Poynings Law enacted
December 3 - 1976: Patrick Hillery inaugurated as President of Ireland.
- 1983 - Patrick Hillery inaugurated for second term as President of Ireland.
- 1990 - Mary Robinson inaugurated as President of Ireland.
December 6 - Feast of Saint Nicholas, chief patron of the City of Galway
- 1921: Anglo-Irish Treaty signed
- 1922: (i.e. exactly one year later) Irish Free State comes into existence
December 8 - Feast of the Immaculate Conception, for Irish Roman Catholics, a Holy Day of Obligation
- 1944 - Córas Iompair Éireann (CIE) set up
- 1757: Rotunda Hospital opened in Dublin
December 9 - 1922: First meeting of the first Senate of the Irish Free State
- 1973 - Sunningdale Agreement signed
December 11 - 1921 Sack of Cork by Black and Tans
- 1931: Statute of Westminster passed by UK Parliament
- 1979: Charles J. Haughey elected Taoiseach by Dáil
December 12 - 1936: Abdication of Edward VIII recognised in the Irish Free State by the enactment of the Executive Authority (External Relations) Act, 1936
December 13 - Feast of Saint Lucy (the following Wednesday, Friday and Saturday were observed as Quarter tense)
December 14 - 1955: Ireland admitted to UN
December 17 - 1834: opening of the first Irish railway - the Dublin Kingstown Railway
December 18 - Feast of St. Flannan patron of the Diocese of Killaloe
December 19 - 1974: Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh inaugurated as President of Ireland.
December 22 - 1989: death of Samuel Beckett, Saoi of Aosdána
December 23 - 1920: Government of Ireland Act passed
December 25 - Christmas Day (Public Holiday), one of the four Irish Quarter days
- for Irish Roman Catholics, a Holy Day of Obligation
December 26 - St. Stephen's Day (Public Holiday)
- 1587 - escape of Hugh O'Donnell from Dublin Castle
December 29 - 1937: Constitution of Ireland comes into operation.

Calendar terms in Irish language

Days of the week - Laethanta na Seachtaine

Monday: Dé Luain
Tuesday: Dé Máirt
Wednesday: Dé Céadaoin
Thursday: Déardaoin
Friday: Dé hAoine
Saturday: Dé Satharn
Sunday: Dé Domhnaigh.

Seasons of the year - Ráithí na Bliana/Na Séasúir

Spring: An tEarrach - Spring/Vernal Equinox: Lá Leathach an Earraigh
Summer: An Samhradh - Summer Solstice: Grianstad an tSamhraidh
Autumn: An Fómhar - Autumnal Equinox: Lá Leathach an Fhómhair
Winter: An Gheimhreadh - Winter Solstice: Grianstad an Gheimhridh

Religious seasons - Séasúir Creidimh

Lent: An Carghas
Easter: Cáisc
Advent: An Aidbhint
Christmastide: Nollaig
Quarter Tense: Laethanta na gCeithre Thráth

Holidays and holydays - Féilte na Bliana

Holiday: Lá Saoire
Public Holiday: Saoire Poiblí
Church Holyday: Lá Saoire Eaglaise
New Year's Eve: Oíche Chinn Bhliana
New Year's Day: Lá Caille
Epiphany: Nollaig Bheag or Nollaig na mBan
St. Brigid's Day: Lá Fhéile Bríde or Lá Feabhra
St. Patrick's Day: Lá Fhéile Phádraig
April Fools Day: Lá na nAmadáin
Annunciation: Lá Fhéile Muire san Earrach or Lá Theachtaireacht an Aingil
May Day: Lá Bealtaine
Assumption: Lá Fhéile Muire san Fhómhar
Hallowe'en: Oíche Shamhna
1 Nov: Lá Samhna
All Souls Day: Lá na Marbh
Immaculate Conception: Giniúint Mhuire gan Smál
Christmas Day: Lá Nollag
St. Stephen's Day: Lá Fhéile Stiofáin or Lá an Dreoilín

Movable feasts - Na Féilte Reatha

Advent: An Aidbhint
Shrove Tuesday: Máirt na hInide
Ash Wednesday: Céadaoin an Luaithrigh
Lent: An Carghas
Holy Week: Seachtain na Páise
Palm Sunday: Domhnach na Pailme or Domhnach na hImrime
Spy Wednesday: Céadaoin an Bhraith
Holy (Maundy) Thursday: Déardaoin Mandála
Good Friday: Aoine an Chéasta
Easter Sunday: Domhnach Cásca
Easter Monday: Luan Cásca
Ascension Thursday: Déardaoin Deascabhála
Corpus Christi: Déardaoin Chorp Chríost
Pentecost Sunday: Domhnach Cincíse
Whit Monday: Luan Cincíse


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