Merriment, meetings and mighty men

THE month of March is traditionally a time when Irish communities all over the world note an increased interest in the story of Ireland. In the USA, it functions as Irish History Month, and the wide-reaching and vibrant programme of events running in Scotland bears witness to the increased activity at this time. In Irish history too, some major events took place which continue to influence the direction of Ireland and Irish-descended people across the world.

Saint Patrick’s Day (March 17)

March 17 marks Ireland’s National Day, celebrating the country’s patron saint who, according to tradition, brought Christianity to Ireland in the fifth century. Originally a religious feast day, St Patrick’s Day has evolved into a global celebration of Irish

culture and heritage.

The first St Patrick’s Day parade was held not in Ireland but in New York in 1762, and was organised by Irish soldiers serving in the British Army. In Ireland itself, St Patrick’s Day was traditionally observed as a religious occasion until the 1970s. Difficulty in securing alcohol, given licensing restrictions, was one of the primary considerations of the day. However, in the latter half of the 20th century Ireland began to transform it into a national festival showcasing Irish culture to the world.

Today, the St Patrick’s Festival in Dublin attracts over one million visitors, and features parades, music, theatre, and visual arts. The tradition of ‘greening’ famous landmarks worldwide—from the Sydney Opera House to the Empire State Building—demonstrates the global reach of Irish cultural influence through this celebration. Scotland, too, plays its own important role in what is now a truly global celebration of Irishness.

The birth of Daniel O’Connell (March 6, 1775)

Known as ‘The Liberator,’ Daniel O'Connell was born on March 6, 1775, in County Kerry. He would go on to become one of Ireland's most influential political leaders, pioneering the use of mass peaceful protest to achieve political change.

O'Connell’s greatest achievement was the successful campaign for Catholic Emancipation, which culminated in the Roman Catholic Relief Act of 1829, allowing Catholics to sit in the Westminster Parliament for the first time. Now a celebrated leader, he then turned his attention to repealing the Act of Union between Great Britain and Ireland, organising huge public meetings attended by thousands of supporters.

Though he did not live to see Irish independence, O’Connell’s commitment to constitutional Nationalism and non-violent protest established a political tradition that would influence generations of Irish leaders, from Charles Stewart Parnell to John Hume. His legacy as a champion of religious freedom and democratic rights extends beyond Ireland, with figures such as Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr regarding him as an inspiration.

The foundation of the Gaelic Athletic Association (March 1, 1884)

On March 1, 1884, a group led by Michael Cusack (above) gathered in Hayes’ Hotel in Thurles to establish the Gaelic Athletic Association. Their goal was to preserve and promote indigenous Irish games at a time when British sports were becoming increasingly popular. They could have no idea how great an impact their nascent association would go on to have.

The GAA quickly grew into much more than a sporting body, becoming a cornerstone of cultural Nationalism. By providing a focus for community identity through hurling and Gaelic football, amongst other sports, the association helped foster a sense of distinctively Irish culture.

Today, the GAA remains Ireland’s largest sporting organisation, with over 2200 clubs nationwide and a presence in Irish communities around the globe. The association's amateur ethos and parish-based structure have helped maintain strong community ties, binding emigrant communities to their home nation and allowing generations of descendants to express their Irish identity through sport.

The Anglo-Irish Treaty debates (March 1922)

Following the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty in December 1921, the Irish Republican Army held a crucial convention in March 1922 that highlighted the deepening divisions within the Republican movement. The meetings laid bare the irreconcilable positions that would soon lead to civil war.

Anti-Treaty forces, led by figures such as Rory O’Connor and Liam Mellows, rejected the Treaty’s provisions—particularly the Oath of Allegiance to the British monarch and the partition of Ireland. They argued that these compromises betrayed the Republic proclaimed in 1916. Meanwhile, pro-Treaty leaders, including Michael Collins, contended that the Treaty offered ‘the freedom to achieve freedom’ and was the best arrangement possible under the circumstances.

The tensions that emerged in the course of these debates ultimately erupted into armed conflict in June 1922, beginning the Irish Civil War. This bitter conflict between former comrades would leave lasting scars on Irish politics, with its divisions forming the basis for the two major political parties—Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil—who would dominate Irish politics for the next century.

The debates represent a pivotal moment when Ireland stood at a crossroads, forced to choose between pragmatic compromise and a commitment to the principles which drove the revolutionary action—a dilemma that continues to resonate in discussions about Irish identity and the unfinished business of national reconciliation.

The Hillsborough Agreement (March 15, 1985)

On March 15, 1985, British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and Irish Taoiseach Garret FitzGerald held crucial preliminary talks at Hillsborough Castle in the North of Ireland, setting the stage for what would later become the Anglo-Irish Agreement signed in November that year.

This March meeting represented a significant diplomatic breakthrough in British-Irish relations, establishing the framework for formal recognition of the Irish Government’s consultative role in Northern Ireland affairs. The discussions acknowledged both the nationalist and unionist traditions, seeking to create structures that would respect the identities and aspirations of both communities.

While initially met with fierce opposition from Unionists, the groundwork laid at Hillsborough eventually paved the way for the peace process of the 1990s.