On this day, 194 years ago, the so-called “Battle of Sprackburn” took place. An altercation between a marching group of Orangemen from Milford and the Catholics of Letterkenny threatened to spill into terrible bloodshed in an area near to Sprackburn, only for the intervention of Fr. James Gallagher. Father Gallagher had been...
Read MoreON THIS DAY: 6th July 1906: ST. EUNAN’S COLLEGE OPENS
110 years ago today, St. Eunan’s College was officially opened as part of the Aonach an Dún Fair. By the end of the nineteenth century, the Old Seminary building (next to the Literary Institute) was in much need of repair. Following the completion of the Cathedral in 1901, one former pupil of the school, Bishop
Read MoreON THIS DAY: 1st July 1916: SENTRY HILL & THE SOMME
Amidst the many commemorations that are taking place around the world today to mark the 100th anniversary of the beginning of the Battle of the Somme, it can be easy to forget how the small town of Letterkenny and its immediate hinterland was affected at the time by one of the bloodiest battles in human
Read MoreON THIS DAY: 22nd June 1922: ROCKHILL AND BALLYMACOOL HOUSE ATTACKS
Following the outbreak of the Civil War in the early months of 1922, both Rockhill House and Ballymacool House were taken over by forces opposed to the Treaty. Under the command of Capt. Paddy Harkin, Rockhill House was easily taken over, as at that time it was unoccupied. Across the river though, the armed men
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