Dr Éamon Phoenix Foundation

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Dr Éamon Phoenix Foundation The Dr Éamon Phoenix Foundation promotes mutual understanding and reconciliation in Ireland through the professional study of history.

𝗖𝗥𝗔𝗜𝗚 𝗥𝗘𝗙𝗨𝗦𝗘𝗦 𝗧𝗢 𝗬𝗜𝗘𝗟𝗗 𝗢𝗡 𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡: 1921 Sir James Craig delivered an uncompromising warning as the Anglo-Irish negot...
18/10/2026

𝗖𝗥𝗔𝗜𝗚 𝗥𝗘𝗙𝗨𝗦𝗘𝗦 𝗧𝗢 𝗬𝗜𝗘𝗟𝗗 𝗢𝗡 𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡: 1921 Sir James Craig delivered an uncompromising warning as the Anglo-Irish negotiations turned towards the question of Partition.

The Northern Prime Minister insisted that the six counties must remain together, declaring that Fermanagh and Tyrone were as sacred to the people of Down and Antrim as their own hills and valleys.

"Under no circumstances would I, as their leader, allow any tampering with the region," he declared.

Meanwhile, reports emerged that the Ulster Volunteer Force was to be reorganised, amid Unionist claims that the British Government was failing to deal with Sinn Féin.

Craig's defiant language drew criticism from the British press, with the Liverpool Post describing his speeches as inflammatory.

Story:
https://www.eamonphoenixfoundation.com/on-this-day-post/on-this-day-18th-october-1921-ireland

𝗕𝗘𝗟𝗙𝗔𝗦𝗧 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗞𝗘𝗥𝗦 𝗧𝗔𝗞𝗘 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗧𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗧𝗢 𝗟𝗢𝗡𝗗𝗢𝗡: 1921 More than a year after the sectarian expulsions of workers from Belfast's...
16/10/2026

𝗕𝗘𝗟𝗙𝗔𝗦𝗧 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗞𝗘𝗥𝗦 𝗧𝗔𝗞𝗘 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗧𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗧𝗢 𝗟𝗢𝗡𝗗𝗢𝗡: 1921 More than a year after the sectarian expulsions of workers from Belfast's shipyards and other workplaces, a delegation prepared to bring their case before British trade unionists.

Members of the Belfast Labour Party and Trades Council announced plans for a demonstration in London's Trafalgar Square.

Councillor James Baird and John A Hanna were to explain the circumstances surrounding the expulsion and boycott of Irish Nationalists in Belfast.

The delegation argued that religious and political divisions had been deliberately exploited to prevent workers from uniting in pursuit of common economic interests.

Éamon Phoenix notes that Baird himself was a Protestant worker who had been expelled during the disturbances.

Story:
https://www.eamonphoenixfoundation.com/on-this-day-post/on-this-day-16th-october-1921-ireland

𝗖𝗔𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗟𝗜𝗖 𝗦𝗖𝗛𝗢𝗢𝗟 𝗖𝗛𝗜𝗟𝗗𝗥𝗘𝗡 𝗔𝗧𝗧𝗔𝗖𝗞𝗘𝗗: 1921 Disturbing reports emerged of sectarian attacks on Catholic schoolchildren in ...
16/10/2026

𝗖𝗔𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗟𝗜𝗖 𝗦𝗖𝗛𝗢𝗢𝗟 𝗖𝗛𝗜𝗟𝗗𝗥𝗘𝗡 𝗔𝗧𝗧𝗔𝗖𝗞𝗘𝗗: 1921 Disturbing reports emerged of sectarian attacks on Catholic schoolchildren in Belfast.

A campaign of intimidation which began in Conway Street had spread to Ballymacarrett, with pupils attending Richardson Street and Willowfield Schools targeted.

Children returning from Willowfield Schools were attacked by mobs of boys aged between 12 and 18, armed with stones, iron bars, sticks and belts.

One seven-year-old boy suffered a scalp wound after being struck by a stone.

On another occasion, two local residents intervened to save two boys from a savage beating.

Éamon Phoenix describes these as orchestrated sectarian attacks, illustrating the vicious nature of the violence then scarring Belfast.

Story:
https://www.eamonphoenixfoundation.com/on-this-day-post/on-this-day-16th-october-1921-ireland

𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗣𝗘𝗔𝗖𝗘 𝗪𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗕𝗘𝗟𝗙𝗔𝗦𝗧: 1971 A new peace line was dividing Lenadoon Avenue in Belfast as families continued to fle...
15/10/2026

𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗣𝗘𝗔𝗖𝗘 𝗪𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗕𝗘𝗟𝗙𝗔𝗦𝗧: 1971 A new peace line was dividing Lenadoon Avenue in Belfast as families continued to flee their homes amid the Troubles.

Following stone-throwing incidents, the Suffolk Defence Committee became involved in the area, initially arranging the evacuation of Protestant families.

Catholic families from troubled districts subsequently began moving into vacant houses along Lenadoon Avenue.

An Army post now separated the two sections of the half-mile-long avenue.

Stormont Minister Roy Bradford rejected calls for a public inquiry into the creation of the new peace line.

Story:
https://www.eamonphoenixfoundation.com/on-this-day-post/on-this-day-15th-october-1971-ireland

𝗙𝗔𝗨𝗟𝗞𝗡𝗘𝗥 𝗥𝗘𝗝𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗦 𝗜𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗣𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗨𝗟𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥: 1971 Prime Minister Brian Faulkner dismissed the idea of an independent Northern ...
15/10/2026

𝗙𝗔𝗨𝗟𝗞𝗡𝗘𝗥 𝗥𝗘𝗝𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗦 𝗜𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗣𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗨𝗟𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥: 1971 Prime Minister Brian Faulkner dismissed the idea of an independent Northern Ireland during a stormy debate at Stormont.

Responding to a motion of censure from William Craig, Faulkner declared that the vision of an independent, self-sufficient Ulster was "a myth".

The debate became increasingly heated when Rev Ian Paisley accused the government of surrendering control of security and shouted at Faulkner: "You are destroying this country!"

Faulkner refused to give way, dismissing Paisley with a wave of his hand. Craig's motion was overwhelmingly defeated by 24 votes to two.

Éamon Phoenix notes that despite this decisive victory, Faulkner's position was seriously weakened by the failure of internment and mounting political opposition.

Story:
https://www.eamonphoenixfoundation.com/on-this-day-post/on-this-day-15th-october-1971-ireland

𝗥𝗜𝗖 𝗙𝗔𝗖𝗘𝗦 𝗣𝗢𝗦𝗦𝗜𝗕𝗟𝗘 𝗗𝗜𝗦𝗕𝗔𝗡𝗗𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧: 1921 As the Anglo-Irish negotiations continued in London, another institution faced a...
14/10/2026

𝗥𝗜𝗖 𝗙𝗔𝗖𝗘𝗦 𝗣𝗢𝗦𝗦𝗜𝗕𝗟𝗘 𝗗𝗜𝗦𝗕𝗔𝗡𝗗𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧: 1921 As the Anglo-Irish negotiations continued in London, another institution faced an uncertain future – the Royal Irish Constabulary.

Representatives of the RIC travelled from Dublin to meet the British Prime Minister and Chief Secretary to discuss what might happen to the force if a political settlement was reached.

The discussions included the possibility of drastic changes to the RIC – or even its complete disbandment.

The issue emerged as the negotiations continued amid disagreements over security and the implementation of the Truce.

Story:
https://www.eamonphoenixfoundation.com/on-this-day-post/on-this-day-14th-october-1921-ireland

𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗬 𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗞𝗦 𝗙𝗔𝗖𝗘 𝗗𝗜𝗙𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗨𝗟𝗧𝗜𝗘𝗦: 1921 Questions were being raised about the progress of the Anglo-Irish negotiations in...
14/10/2026

𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗬 𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗞𝗦 𝗙𝗔𝗖𝗘 𝗗𝗜𝗙𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗨𝗟𝗧𝗜𝗘𝗦: 1921 Questions were being raised about the progress of the Anglo-Irish negotiations in London.

After a short session, the Irish Conference adjourned amid reports of disagreements over the Truce.

Michael Collins and two colleagues visited Winston Churchill before a lengthy meeting of the Truce Committee.

Although officials insisted there had been no "hitch", newspapers reported growing tensions within the British Government.

The fate of 3,252 interned prisoners was another contentious issue.

Sinn Féin delegates argued that their release would help ease the situation, while also pressing for the withdrawal of the Auxiliary Police.

Story:
https://www.eamonphoenixfoundation.com/on-this-day-post/on-this-day-14th-october-1921-ireland

𝗕𝗔𝗥𝗠𝗔𝗡 𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗧 𝗜𝗡 𝗡𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗛 𝗤𝗨𝗘𝗘𝗡 𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗘𝗧: 1921 Belfast's Coroner's Court heard a litany of inquests related to a series of ki...
13/10/2026

𝗕𝗔𝗥𝗠𝗔𝗡 𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗧 𝗜𝗡 𝗡𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗛 𝗤𝗨𝗘𝗘𝗡 𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗘𝗧: 1921 Belfast's Coroner's Court heard a litany of inquests related to a series of killings.

Among them was that of 34-year-old Thomas McMullen, a public house manager shot at his workplace in North Queen Street.

His wife Margaret described how, on 30 August, she saw a motor lorry carrying Crown forces stop outside at around 6pm.

She heard shots and subsequently discovered her husband lying wounded in the bar.

The evidence prompted one juror to complain that there appeared to be "no law and order in Belfast".

Coroner Dr James Graham responded that hooliganism on both sides should be suppressed with a firm hand.

Story:
https://www.eamonphoenixfoundation.com/on-this-day-post/on-this-day-13th-october-1921-ireland

𝗕𝗘𝗟𝗙𝗔𝗦𝗧 𝗠𝗨𝗥𝗗𝗘𝗥 𝗜𝗡𝗤𝗨𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗦 𝗦𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗞 𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗘𝗥: 1921 Belfast's Coroner's Court heard disturbing evidence about six people, includ...
13/10/2026

𝗕𝗘𝗟𝗙𝗔𝗦𝗧 𝗠𝗨𝗥𝗗𝗘𝗥 𝗜𝗡𝗤𝗨𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗦 𝗦𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗞 𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗘𝗥: 1921 Belfast's Coroner's Court heard disturbing evidence about six people, including two women, who had died during the violence of August and September.

Among the victims was 21-year-old Murtagh McAstocker, shot dead during a sustained loyalist attack on the Short Strand.

A witness described how a man drew a revolver and deliberately fired at McAstocker and his companion. One juror declared that the victim had fallen at the hands of a "murder gang of Orangemen".

The accusation provoked heated exchanges among the jurors, prompting Coroner Dr James Graham to insist: "I am not supposed to have religion or politics here..."

Éamon Phoenix notes that the inquests illustrated the bitter divisions within Belfast as violence continued despite the Truce.

Story:
https://www.eamonphoenixfoundation.com/on-this-day-post/on-this-day-13th-october-1921-ireland

𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗡𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗕𝗔𝗡𝗞𝗥𝗨𝗣𝗧𝗖𝗬: 1971 Stormont Minister Roy Bradford issued a stark economic warning – predicting that No...
12/10/2026

𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗡𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗕𝗔𝗡𝗞𝗥𝗨𝗣𝗧𝗖𝗬: 1971 Stormont Minister Roy Bradford issued a stark economic warning – predicting that Northern Ireland could face bankruptcy "in a matter of weeks" if the Troubles continued.

Speaking on the BBC, Bradford said that if additional troops failed to get on top of the situation, the government would have to consider going "much further" with security precautions.

He also blamed a campaign of civil disobedience which, he claimed, was intended to destroy the administrative structure and society.

Éamon Phoenix notes that Bradford was acknowledging the failure of internment while hinting at even greater coercion.

Story:
https://www.eamonphoenixfoundation.com/on-this-day-post/on-this-day-12th-october-1971-ireland

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