1939 in Ireland - Events

Events

  • January 11 - The INTO Congress in Galway calls on the government to abolish the ban on married women teachers.
  • February 12 - The Department of External Affairs announces that it recognises the government of General Francisco Franco.
  • February - In his Lenten pastoral, Bishop Daniel Mageean refers to "A Protestant Parliament for a Protestant People".
  • March 12 - Taoiseach Éamon de Valera attends the coronation of Pope Pius XII in Rome.
  • March 16 - Éamon de Valera is greeted by Benito Mussolini in Rome and a luncheon is held in honour of the Taoiseach.
  • March 22 - Ireland's neutrality is discussed during a Dáil debate on defence estimates. The government considers the implications for the export market to Britain if a neutral stand is taken.
  • March 30 - The Treason Bill passes its fifth and final stage in Dáil Éireann.
  • April 9 - The Gaelic Athletic Association votes to keep the name of President Douglas Hyde off its list of patrons. The situation arose when the President attended an international soccer game.
  • April 17 - The Prime Minister of Northern Ireland, Lord Craigavon, dismisses the Dublin government's position of neutrality as cowardly.
  • April 19 - In a speech to Seanad Éireann Taoiseach Éamon de Valera refers to the dropping of all references to the King and Great Britain from new Irish passports.
  • May 4 - The Prime Minister of Northern Ireland announces that conscription will not be extended to Northern Ireland.
  • May 18 - The Earl of Iveagh presents the Irish Government with his Dublin townhouse.
  • June 2 - The Treason Act 1939 becomes law: a sentence of death may be passed on anyone convicted of "levying war against the State."
  • September 1 - A state of emergency is declared by the government.
  • September 2 - Taoiseach Éamon de Valera tells the Dáil that Ireland will remain neutral in the European War.
  • September 3 - The Emergency Powers Act 1939 comes into force as Britain and France declare war on Germany. The Marine and Coastwatching Service is set up.
  • September 4 - SS Athenia torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean. Knut Nelson (Norway) lands 450 survivors in Galway.
  • September 9 - Billed as "The Last Race in Europe" until after World War II, the Irish Motor Racing Club holds its Phoenix Park Race; this includes motorcycle and automobile races.
  • September 11 - The Irish-flagged tanker Inverliffey is shelled and sunk by U-38. The U-boat tows the lifeboats away from the blazing oil.
  • September 13 - The Minister for Supplies, Seán Lemass, introduces petrol rationing.
  • October 30 - More than two dozen air-raid sirens, acquired by the Corporation, are tested across Dublin City.
  • December 23 - A million rounds of ammunition are stolen from the national arsenal at the Phoenix Park by pro-Nazi elements of the IRA.

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