1929 in Ireland - Definition and Overview

See also: 1928 in Ireland, other events of 1929, 1930 in Ireland and the list of 'years in Ireland'.

Events

• January 17 - All cats from foreign countries, except Great Britain and Northern Ireland, are to be kept in quarantine for a period of six months to avoid rabies.
• February 8 - A Belfast court sentences Fianna Fáil leader, Eamon de Valera, to one month in jail for illegally entering County Armagh.
• February 20 - Major-General Seán MacEoin, the Blacksmith of Ballinalee, is appointed Chief of Staff of the army.
• April 22 - The first talking film, The Singing Fool starring Al Jolson, opens in the Capitol Theatre in Dublin.
• May 12 - After his resignation from the army Major-General Seán MacEoin receives the Cumann na nGaedhael nomination in the Sligo-Leitrim by-election.
  • On the same day Maud Gonne MacBride is arrested and charged with seditious libel against the State.
• June 23 - 300,000 people attend the Pontifical High Mass at the Phoenix Park to mark the end of the Catholic Emancipation centenary celebrations.
• July 11 - The restored General Post Office is officially opened by President W.T. Cosgrave.
• July 22 - The Shannon hydro-electric scheme at Ardnacrusha, County Clare is opened.
• October 21 - The Shannon Hydro-Electric Scheme is handed over to the ESB (Electricity Supply Board), bringing electricity to Galway and Dublin.
• Proportional Representation is abolished in Northern Ireland.
• The first Irish banknotes are issued.
• Ardnacrusha Power Station opens on the Shannon Scheme.
• Ireland's economy suffers due to the Wall Street Crash.
• Primary Certificate - introduced, but optional, at end of primary education

Arts and literature

Sports

• The All-Ireland Champions are Cork (hurling) and Kerry (football)

Births

• January 9 - Brian Friel, playwright.

Deaths