1878 in Ireland
List of events
Events from the year 1878 in Ireland .
Events
22 May – launch of the experimental powered submarine Holland I , designed by Irish-born John Philip Holland , at Paterson, New Jersey . Its performance impresses the American Fenian Brotherhood sufficiently to induce them to finance his continued experiments with a view to using such a machine against the British.
24 August – the narrow gauge Ballymena and Larne Railway starts passenger operations in County Antrim , the first on the Irish 3 ft narrow gauge.[1] [2]
9 October – St Mary's Cathedral, Tuam (Church of Ireland ) dedicated.[3]
28 September – Intermediate Education Act passed: this will revolutionise Irish society, as it provides education to talented and hard-working boys and girls through "Exhibitions" (scholarships) worth up to $50. It particularly changes the position of women: by 1901 there will be 20,478 teachers in Ireland, 60% of them women, earning 80% of the male wage for the job.[4]
Mount St. Joseph Abbey, Roscrea established by Cistercian Trappist monks from Mount Melleray Abbey .
Public Health (Ireland) Act 1878 introduces laws regarding sanitary districts .[5]
Mageough Home opens in Rathmines.
Arts and literature
The Kerry Sentinel newspaper begins publication in Tralee .
Oscar Wilde leaves Ireland permanently.
Sport
Irish Cycling Association (ICA) is established to administer cycling as the sport becomes popular throughout Ireland.[6]
Births
8 January – Frederic Charles Dreyer , Royal Navy Admiral (died 1956 ).
1 February – Thomás MacDonagh , nationalist, poet, rebel and Easter Rising leader (executed 1916 ).
14 February – Daniel Corkery , writer, teacher and Fianna Fáil Senator (died 1964 ).
23 February – Pádraic Ó Máille , Sinn Féin MP and TD , Fianna Fáil Senator (died 1946 ).
13 March – Patrick McCartan , Sinn Féin MP and TD, member of 1st Dáil , a founder member of Clann na Poblachta (died 1966 ).
19 March – Michael James O'Rourke , soldier, recipient of the Victoria Cross for gallantry in 1917 at Hill 70 near Lens, France (died 1957 ).
31 March – Jamesy Kelleher , Cork hurler (died 1943 ).
11 April – Kathleen Clarke , née Daly, wife of Tom Clarke , Sinn Féin and later Fianna Fáil TD , Seanad member, first female Lord Mayor of Dublin (died 1972 ).
17 April – Thomas Harvey , cricketer and rugby player (died 1966 ).
3 June – Sinéad de Valera , née Ní Fhlannagáin, writer and wife of third President of Ireland , Éamon de Valera (died 1975 ).
12 June – Geoffrey Taylour, 4th Marquess of Headfort , peer (died 1943 ).
24 July – Edward Plunkett, 18th Baron Dunsany , writer and dramatist (died 1957 ).
9 August – Eileen Gray , architect and designer (died 1976 ).
15 August – Harry Corley , cricketer and rugby union international (died 1936 ).
17 August – Oliver St. John Gogarty , physician, poet and writer (died 1957 ).
24 August – Margaret Mary Pearse , Fianna Fáil TD and Seanad Éireann member, sister of Patrick Pearse (died 1968 ).
28 October – Helena Concannon , Fianna Fáil politician and historian (died 1952 ).
7 November – Margaret Cousins , née Gillespie, teacher, suffragist and Theosophist (died 1954 in India ).
27 November – William Orpen , painter (died 1931 ).
23 December – Francis Sheehy-Skeffington , suffragist , pacifist and writer (murdered by British Army 1916 ).
30 December – Dick Walsh , Kilkenny hurler (died 1958 ).
Deaths
22 March – Henry MacManus , artist (born c.1810)
2 April – William Clements, 3rd Earl of Leitrim , nobleman and landowner (born 1806 ).
22 September – Sir Richard John Griffith, 1st Baronet , geologist (born 1784 ).
24 October – Paul Cullen , Cardinal and Catholic Primate of Ireland (born 1803 ).
4 December – Richard Smyth , Presbyterian minister, academic and politician (born 1826 ).
22 December – Patrick Mylott , soldier, recipient of the Victoria Cross for gallantry in 1857 in India (born 1820 ).
Full date unknown – Charles Anderson Read , journalist, novelist and anthologist (born 1841 ).
See also
References