1928 in Ireland - Events

Events

• January 29 - In Belfast, members of the nationalist opposition protest at the Ulster Unionist Party government's plan to abolish Proportional representation.
• January 31 - The outgoing Governor-General, T. M. Healy leaves the Vice-Regal Lodge. His successor is James McNeill.
• February 25 - William O'Brien, former activist in the Home Rule and land campaigns, dies in London aged 75.
• April 12 - The first east-west transatlantic flight by aeroplane leaves Baldonnel Aerodrome in Dublin. Commandant James Fitzmaurice is on board the Bremen.
• April 30 - Cheering crowds in New York greet the crew of the Bremen after it has made its transatlantic flight.
• May 19 - The foundation stone of the new Northern Ireland Parliament Building is laid at Stormont.
• May 29 - It is suggested that the old Irish flag - that of a gold harp with a blue background - should be carried at the Olympic Games in Amsterdam. However, the Irish tricolour has already been registered as the national flag.
• June 14 - Amendments to the Court of Justice bill state that certain judges cannot be appointed if they do not have a competent knowledge of the Irish language.
• July 30 - The Irish Tricolour is raised for the first time at the Olympic Games when Dr. Pat O'Callaghan wins a gold medal for hammer throwing.
• August 27 - Fifteen countries, including the Ireland, sign the Kellog Peace Pact in Paris. The Irish Tricolour flies at the Quai d'Orsay amongst the flags of 50 other nations.
• August 30 - The United States Secretary of State, Frank Kellogg, visits Dublin on his return journey from the Paris Peace Convention. He is granted the freedom of Dublin.
• September 10 - The Saorstát Pound ('Free State Pound') becomes a reality as the Currency Commission places into circulation the first (Series A) Irish banknotes issued for over a century.
• December 10 - The Belfast-built RMS Celtic, the first ship to exceed 20,000 tons, founders off Queenstown.
• December 12 - The first Irish coinage is circulated in the state making complete the introduction of banknotes and coinage of the Irish Free State.
• Irish becomes a compulsory subject for the Intermediate Certificate.