1948 in Ireland - Definition and Overview

See also: 1947 in Ireland, other events of 1948, 1949 in Ireland and the list of 'years in Ireland'.

Events

• January 8 - The Council of State meets for the first time when President Douglas Hyde test the constitutionality of the Offences Against the State Bill.
• January 15 - Gas rationing ends in Dublin for the first time since 1942.
• February 15 - At the Mansion House a plan is drawn up which will see John A. Costello elected Taoiseach.
• February 18 - John A. Costello is elected the second Taoiseach of Ireland.
• February 25 - The Minister for Health, Dr. Noel Browne, announces his emergency drive against tuberculosis.
• February 27 - The government asks Aerlínte Éireann to postpone its inaugural tranatlantic service due to high costs.
• March 7 - The Minister for External Affairs, Seán MacBride, recommends an economic or customs union between the two parts of Ireland.
• March 11 - A fire at Shannon Airport destroys the control tower.
• March 16 - Seán MacBride represents Ireland at the Marshall Aid conference in Paris.
• April 4 - Captain EG Hitzen hands over a flag surrendered during the 1916 Easter Rising. He also discusses his capture of Eamon de Valera.
• June 18 - A 36-foot shark is spotted off the coast of County Donegal.
• September 7 - In Ottawa An Taoiseach John A. Costello announces the government intends to repeal the 1936 External Relations Act, thus severing the last constitutional link with Britain.
• September 13 - 500 people attend a 1798 Rebellion commemoration on the hills overlooking Belfast.
• September 17 - The body of W.B. Yeats is re-buried at Drumcliffe, County Sligo.
• September 22 - AN Taoiseach John A. Costello is presented with an honourary doctorate of law from Fordham University, New York.
• October 17 - At the request of the British Prime Minister Clement Attlee, the Irish Minister for Finance, Seán MacBride, and the Minister for External Affairs, Patrick McGilligan, meet representatives from the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand to discuss the repeal of the External Relations Act.
• November 17 - The Republic of Ireland Act, which involves the repeal of the External Relations Act, is introduced in Dáil Éireann.
• November 21 - Tánaiste William Norton and the Lord Mayor of Dublin refuse to share a platform with Fianna Fáil deputy Seán MacEntee following controversial remarks he made about partition.
• November 25 - The Rebuplic of Ireland Bill is passed in Dáil Éireann.
• December 21 - President Ó Ceallaigh signs the Republic of Ireland Bill at a ceremony at Áras an Uachtaráin. An Taoiseach, John A. Costello, and members of his government are also present.

Arts and literature

Sports

Births

• February 16 - Séamus Brennan, Fianna Fáil TD and current Minister for Social & Family Affairs.
• October 6 - Gerry Adams, current leader of Sinn Féin.

Deaths