Special Category Status ends in 1976
On March 1st 1976 - marked the beginning of a long and black period in Irish history when the British removed the hard earned "Special Category" status from political prisoners in British Occupied Ireland
Penal Laws enacted in Ireland 1704 On March 4, 1704 - the Penal Laws were introduced in Ireland by the British 'to prevent the further growth of popery' Oddly enough, the Penal Laws also included a 'sacramental test' directed mainly at Ulster Presbyterians who might wish to seek public office.
Fenian Uprising 1867 On March 4th 1867 - the Fenian movement launched an uprising against British rule in Ireland. It included a stretch of counties in from Wexford to north to Antrim
U.S. Gen Sheridan On March 6th 1831 - General Phillip Sheridan, American Civil War leader and Commander-in-Chief of the US army, was born in Co. Cavan
Battle of the Alamo On March 6, 1836, -- Mexican troops under the President of Mexico, General Antonio López de Santa Anna launched an assault on the Alamo Mission in San Antonio de Béxar (modern-day San Antonio, Texas). All but two of the defenders were killed. Twelve (12) of the 189 men who died defending the Alamo on March 6, 1836, fighting for the freedom and liberty of Texas were born in Ireland.
The Ballyseedy Massacre On March 7th 1923 - this day will live in infamy forever amongst the Irish race. On this day in Ballyseedy Co Kerry, the Free State Army executed eight Republican political prisoners by tying them to a tree and detonating a landmine placed under the tree. It was said that the birds ate their flesh off the trees for weeks. (See The Tragedies Of Kerry by Dorothy Mc Ardle)
Up Goes Nelson!
On March 8th 1966 - an IRA unit in a precise operation blew up Nelson’s Pillar in Dublin. In an attempt to remove the base, The Free State Army had considerable collateral damage.
John Mitchell elected On March 12th 1875 - John Mitchell, the Young Ireland leader having returned from America, was re-elected MP for Tipperary, having been previously barred as an felon.
The Rights Of Man On March 12th 1791 - part one of Thomas Paine's The Rights of Man, was published and became an immediate best seller for the United Irishmen
Birmingham Six Freed On March 14th 1991 - Paddy Joe Hill, Hugh Callaghan, Richard McIlkenny, Gerry Hunter, Billy Power and Johnny Walker - known as the 'Birmingham Six 'were released from jail after the Court of Appeal quashed their convictions for the murder of 21 people in two pubs
An Claidheamh Soluis
On March 17th 1899 - An Claidheamh Soluis a newspaper in Irish was published by Conradh Na Gaeilge
Gen. Tom Barry On March 19th 1921 - Gen. Tom Barry in charge of the West Cork Flying Column wiped out a numerical superior force from the Essex Regiment at Crossbarry, Co Cork. It is believed that the ambush scene from the hit movie ‘ The wind that shakes the Barley’ is based on the Crossbarry Ambush
The Curragh Mutiny 1914
On March 20 1914 - when faced with enforcing Home Rule in a thirty county Ireland, sixty British cavalry officers in the Curragh military Camp in Co Kildare, allegedly resigned their commissions rather than march on a recalcitrant Ulster.
Roger Casement On Feb 23, 1965 -the body of Irish patriot, Roger Casement’s was returned from England where he was hanged. He was re-interred at Glasnevin Cemetery in Dublin.
Anniversary of the 1916 Easter Uprising
On March 29th 1966 - on the 50th Anniversary of the 1916 Easter Uprising contingents from Welsh, Breton, Manx, Cornish and Scottish liberation movements march behind IRA in Dublin (Click here for the 12 months)
Cherokee River (Click here for related article) | 
Ernie O'Malley was a senior officer in the Irish Republican Army (IRA) during the War of Independence, a commander of anti-treaty IRA forces during the Civil War, an accomplished author
