si.edu. Record ID saam_1996.63.71. Usage: CC0 (Public Domain). Edited by Alison Kilpatrick, 2023.… to our readers with interests in Ireland’s history, herewith a series of articles either with New Year’s Day as the predominant theme or newsworthy events occurring on that date. Happy New Year to all!
Index of articles with New Year’s Day themes :
The articles in this list link to transcripts farther down this page.
- Dublin Evening Post, 11th Jan. 1780 – parade of the Tullahunco [Tullyhunco] Volunteers at Cavan
- Dublin Evening Post, 30th Dec. 1794 – petition for the emancipation of the Roman Catholic inhabitants
- Belfast Commercial Chronicle, 19th Jan. 1807 — churched, married, and babe christened at Holyhead, Wales
- Belfast Commercial Chronicle, 28th Jan. 1824 – Thomas Keenan drowned at Newry; inquest held by S. Reid
- The Belfast News-Letter, 21st Aug. 1829 – meeting of the Tynan Branch of the North East Farming Society; announcement by Lord Caledon respecting the construction of the Ulster Canal to commence on New-year’s day
- Belfast Commercial Chronicle, 8th Jan. 1831 – charitable benevolence shown by Lord Blayney to the labourers, poor people, and children of Castleblayney
- Belfast Commercial Chronicle, 12th Jan. 1831 – annual beneficence of the Marquis and Marchioness of Downshire towards poor families, old infirm persons, and poor scholars, at Hillsborough
- Belfast Commercial Chronicle, 16th Jan. 1832 – disappearance of Henry Magee of Aghavilla in the parish of Clonallon near Newry, having been seen by Campbell of Grinan and a man named Burns; investigation by Roger Hall and Robert Wallace
- Belfast Commercial Chronicle, 14th Jan. 1833 – disappearance of G.R. Dawson, Esq. from the city of Derry
- The Armagh Guardian, 7th Jan. 1845 – annual Christmas dinner to the Sunday school children at Urney in the county of Tyrone, given on New Year’s Day
- The Tyrone Constitution, 1st Jan. 1847 – a long editorial penned by the proprietor, John Nelis, on the difficult year of famine just passed, with hope for the new year commingled with apprehension and mistrust in the current government
Transcriber’s notes:
- The transcriber’s comments and editorial remarks are shown [within square brackets].
- Words, sentences, or paragraphs appearing in the original text, but omitted from a transcript, are denoted by […].
Dublin Evening Post, 11 Jan. 1780 (pg. 3):
By a letter from Cavan, dated 3d Jan. inst. we are informed, that on New-year’s day, about 100 of the Tullahunco† Volunteers met at Killishandra [in county Cavan], dressed in their proper uniforms, and went through their military exercise, to the entire satisfaction of a great number of spectators; after which they adjourned to the house of Mr. Tronson in said town, where they dined together, and drank many loyal, interesting toasts; the evening was concluded with illuminating the town, and every other demonstration of joy. […]
[† Note: Tullyhunco is a barony in the county Cavan, comprising the parishes of Kildallan, Killeshandra, and Scrabby.]
Dublin Evening Post, 30th Dec. 1794 (pg. 3):
At the different chapels on Sunday, after Divine Service, notice was given by the officiating Clergymen, that on Thursday next, being New Year’s Day, a petition to the Legislature for the total emancipation of the Roman Catholic inhabitants would lie for the signatures of the parishioners of that communion. A similar notification has been made for the same purpose on the same day throughout the kingdom, in order that the whole body may act with the most perfect concert.
Belfast Commercial Chronicle, 19 Jan. 1807 (pg. 3):
A curious wedding took place at Holyhead [in Wales], on New-Year’s Day, where the bride was first churched,† then married, and thirdly, had her child christened!—The bride is but sixteen years of age.
[† Note: “churched,” an old rite of thanksgiving for a woman who has given birth recently.]
Belfast Commercial Chronicle, 28 Jan. 1824 (pg. 2):
On Sunday last, the body of a man, named Thomas Keenan, was found in the Canal, between Ballybot and Dublin bridges. In the course of the day an Inquest was held on the body by S. Reid, Esq. Coroner. It appeared that the deceased was a pensioner, and that he lived about half a mile from Newry [in county Down]. He came to this town on New Year’s day to receive his pension, since which period he had not been heard of. The body appeared to have lain in the water a considerable time: no article of the clothes on the deceased was missing except his hat, and the sum of three pound[s] (the amount of his pension) was found in his pocket. Verdict—Found Drowned.
The Belfast News-Letter, 21 Aug. 1829 (pg. 1): [extract]
North East Farming Society.
A respectable correspondent has sent us the following interesting details:—
TYNAN BRANCH.†
On Wednesday the 12th inst. this interesting Branch held its second annual exhibition of the several descriptions of animals, for which premiums were offered, and truly it was one of the most interesting displays we have ever witnessed. [† Note: Tynan is in county Armagh, lying on the eastern bank of the river Blackwater.]
About 12 o’clock, the large space in the centre of the village was crowded with respectable farmers—a great number of gentry was also present, amongst whom we observed the worthy President, Sir James M. Stronge, Bart. the Earl of Caledon, &c. &c. who appeared to take an extraordinary interest in the exhibition. [… several paragraphs detailing the proceedings …]
Lord Caledon, and the Caledon Branch.—It was some time before his Lordship could obtain a hearing from the unanimous burst of applause with which this toast was received. Order being somewhat restored, his Lordship expressed his thanks for the kindness of feeling evinced towards him, congratulated the members of the Branch on their prosperous appearance, and then explained in detail the difficulties and disappointments the friends of the proposed Ulster Canal met with since the year 1813, in endeavouring to have that useful, national, or rather provincial undertaking effected, and which, but for the unprecedented support of his Majesty’s present Government, who have subscribed £120,000 on the most liberal terms, could not have been undertaken; the arrangements are now in such a forward state that it will be commenced about New-year’s day. […]
Belfast Commercial Chronicle, 8 Jan. 1831 (pg. 4):
We are gratified to learn from a correspondent, that that patriotic and excellent resident Nobleman, Lord Blayney, is completely recovered from his late indisposition. His Lordship’s munificence to the poor of Castleblayney [in county Monaghan], at this inclement season, is highly spoken of. Besides several other acts of disinterested benevolence, we are informed that on New Year’s Day, Lord Blayney treated his labourers and other working people (eighty and upwards in number) to a good and substantial dinner; after fully enjoying the pleasures of the table, the happy party, with their female friends, repaired to the ball-room (which the kind consideration of the Noble Host had prepared for their reception), where they danced and amused themselves until a reasonable hour. On the following day (Sunday) above 150 poor people were served with soup and broken meat; and on Tuesday a dinner was provided likewise by his Lordship, for between 80 and 90 children. Acts like these speak sufficiently for themselves, without any commentary from us.—Newry Telegraph.
Belfast Commercial Chronicle, 12 Jan. 1831 (pg. 4):
It affords us much pleasure to learn that the Marquis and Marchioness of Downshire, with their usual beneficence, to promote the comfort of the poor, were pleased to order, although absent, that their annual donation of an excellent piece of beef, should be given on Christmas morning, before divine service, to 96 poor families, which was accordingly distributed to them by Mr. G. Crickard, in the presence of Wm. Ed. Reilly, Esq. and the Rev. Charles Lett, in front of his Lordship’s Castle in Hillsborough.—And in like manner, on New Year’s day, a quantity of clothing as given to 42 old infirm persons, by order of the Noble Donors, consisting of comfortable great coats, cloaks, warm petticoats, and blankets; and also, new clothing to 24 poor scholars of the Hillsborough Schools which Lord and Lady Downshire kindly patronize. In addition to which, we understand that his Lordship has been pleased to order £50 to be applied to purchase coals, to be distributed during the inclement season, in order to ameliorate the condition of the poorer class in Hillsborough.
Belfast Commercial Chronicle, 16 Jan. 1832 (pg. 4):
On Saturday last, an investigation took place before Roger Hall and Robert Wallace, Esqrs. at Warrenpoint [in county Down], respecting a man of the name of Henry Magee (a farmer), of Aghavilla, in the parish of Clonallon, who has been missing since New-year’s Day, and whose sudden disappearance has been the cause of much anxiety and alarm. It appeared, from the evidence of several witnesses, that he had been in Newry market, on the Saturday previous, selling oats, and had money in his possession amounting to £4, and some silver; that on his way home he called at a house belonging to a family called Campbell, of Grinan, in company with a man named Burns, and remained there drinking all night.—The Campbells state that he left their house about daybreak alone, leaving Burns, who was very much intoxicated, behind. Nothing was elicited to attach suspicion to any person. Not the slightest trace of him can be discovered—though the neighbours have, day after day, made a most strict search in the woods and bogs, and through the surrounding country. Under these circumstances, his friends are in a most distressing state, as they dread, very naturally, that he has been foully dealt with.—Newry Telegraph.
Belfast Commercial Chronicle, 14 Jan. 1833 (pg. 4):
The Londonderry Journal states, that the cause of G.R. Dawson, Esq. leaving that City in such haste on New-year’s day, was the pressing demands of thirty “open-house publicans,” for payment of sums amounting altogether to £14,000. The publicans declared that the voters would drink nothing but the best Cogniac [sic] and old Port, they being afraid that worse liquors would give them the cholera. However, Mr. D. was seen in Derry on Friday, and it is understand that he has compromised the matter with the publicans and sinners.
The Armagh Guardian, 7 Jan. 1845 (pg. 2):
The annual Christmas dinner to the children of the parochial daily and Sunday-schools of Urney [in county Tyrone] was given in the school-rooms, at Urney, on New Year’s Day. Upwards of 170 girls and boys, with their teachers, sat down to an excellent dinner, provided by Mrs. and Mr. Hume, by whose directions a fat sheep had been killed for the occasion. In addition to this, beef and plum pudding, the usual Christmas fare, were plentifully supplied at their expense. In the absence of the worthy rector and his lady (a circumstance which was unavoidable and greatly regretted by their youthful guests,) the feast was presided over by the two curates of the parish, and seldom has a happier party enjoyed a Christmas repast. Most of the girls were clad in new dresses—the gift of the justly beloved patroness of the female school. Children of all religious persuasions are educated in these schools, and liberal salaries are paid by the rector to the master and mistress; books are supplied by the Kildare-place Society, at half price—the slender remaining link between them and that excellent institution, under which they were originally founded. They derive no assistance from any other public educational institution.—Derry Sentinel.
The Tyrone Constitution, 1 Jan. 1847 (pg. 2):
THE NEW YEAR.
The old year, eighteen hundred and forty-six, is now a thing of yesterday; and as it passes slowly away from the stage of being, its successor presents itself before us—awakening, within every reflecting mind, tender memories and sweet recollections of the past, mingled either with bright hopes or troubled anticipations of the future.† The cloud of sorrow has yet passed, gazes into the vista of coming years, as they stretch themselves out before his mental vision, with hope undimmed by the stern lessons of past experience, and looks forward to many happy returns of the season, contemning the auguries of approaching evil and disappointment. The more matured and sober mind is much less elated by the anticipations of happiness to be experienced in the coming year, being reminded that though it may bring bright skies, and flowers, and sunny days, yet that, like its predecessors, it also carries within its bosom the seeds of nipping frosts, chilling blasts, and boisterous storms. The aged man, on whose hoary head the snows of the greater part of a century may have descended, regards the return of the season with feelings of cool indifference, and scarce understands the nature of the enthusiasm with which the new year is hailed by those youthful spirits who are but now entering into the spring time of their existence. Still the greater portion of mankind are in the habit of regarding the new year with feelings of cheerfulness; and, as it passes along, the events of the past, whether of joy or of sorrow, gradually lose their distinctness, and fade from the memory, as they are swallowed up by the occupations of the present. [† Note: … as well one might, as the worst year of the Great Famine was to unfold in 1847.]
As in individual cases, however, there are times when the rough blasts of adversity will so chill the heart as to render it indifferent to those passing events, which would otherwise be hailed with feelings of delight, so there are seasons in the history of nations when the public mind can find no pleasure in the approach of what was formerly regarded as a time of festive rejoicing. Such a season is the present. On every side the prospect of the future looks dark and gloomy, while in painful distinctness are imaged around and about us the ghastly visions of misery, and want, and disease, and crime. No Irishman can bid his fellow-Irishman “a happy new year,” as the indulgence of a feeling of happiness is incompatible with the humane heart, in which sorrow can be awakened by the unparalleled amount of misery and destitution under which our countrymen are forced to labour, and the pressure of which is likely to prove still heavier, and more painful, as the new year passes along. Sickness, and nakedness, and hunger, and death, cannot be the concomitants of happiness, and these are the attendants of the old year, during his last moments, while they only are found to welcome his successor.
The political events of the year which has just expired, are in themselves sufficiently important and striking to render it memorable in the annals of British history, even if it were not distinguished as one of the most painful seasons of general suffering in the records of Irish famine. Changes of the most important character have been effected in the laws of the realm, and though these changes have been, to a great extent, overruled for good, still they contain the germs of evil, which will yet be experienced, when the severe visitation, with which our land is now so grievously afflicted, has passed away. The progress of enlightenment, however, is going rapidly forward in the public mind, and we confidently hope that the pressure from without will speedily force into office a class of men who will be disposed to pursue an upright and consistent course of policy, without reference to party principle or low political prejudice. That such men are to be found we doubt not for a moment, though we admit it would at present be difficult to fix upon any of the leading politicians of the day whose past history would warrant the nation in entrusting them with the reins of power. Of one thing we are certain, that it is impossible that the present ministry can long remain in office, as during their brief existence as a government they have evidenced no redeeming quality to atone for their listlessness, incapacity, and total want of energy.
With the opening of the new year, another parliamentary session may be said to commence, and, as the last session opened under threatening and gloomy auspices, those which usher in the present appear still more gloomy. Though we are disposed to look on the bright side of the picture, we cannot at the present crisis attempt to practice ought of self-delusion, either on ourselves or an intelligent public. Dark clouds, portending famine and anarchy, lower thickly around us, so that it would require almost miraculous intervention to ward off the threatened storm. The destitute are crying aloud for food, and the multitude are arming themselves with weapons—the wealth of the nation is lavishly expended in vain attempts to provide employment for the millions, and the prices of the provisions of the starving poor are left at the mercy of sordid speculators, and are consequently rising daily—the trade of agitation has passed into the hands of a few untamed spirits, who may be capable of raising a violent storm, but who, unlike their predecessor in this great art, are wholly incapable of quelling the violence of those elements which they may succeed in stirring into fury. It is true that we cannot draw aside the veil which shrouds the future from our gaze, and it is well we cannot, so that we know not what events may yet occur to preserve our country from the dangers with which it appears to be menaced, but, under existing circumstances, it is impossible that our anticipations should not be tinged with gloom. We can only hope for the best, and trust that as the year 1847 is ushered in with sadness and sorrow, it may close with mirth and rejoicing, so that, when the season again returns, we may be enabled, under brighter auspices, to wish our readers “A HAPPY NEW YEAR.”
We cannot come to a close without raising our voice in behalf of the friendless poor, from whose cheerless and desolate hearths joy and happiness have fled before the gaunt presence of famine. There are many families throughout the length and breadth of our land who could formerly group together around the capacious fireside on the evening of a new year’s day, and partake, with feelings of contentment and thankfulness, of the comforts which they had earned by honest industry and patient toil, but who are now forced to endure the pressure of pinching poverty, and to endure it, perhaps, in uncomplaining silence. The class of which we speak is not composed of those idle strollers who have acquired faces of brass by long practice in the arts of begging, neither of those who crowd our work-houses, though we do not for a moment imagine that these last are undeserving objects of charity, but it is formed of the hard-working poor who depended for their food on the blighted crop which they planted in hope, and whom the present prices of provisions contribute still further to grind to the dust with poverty. The poor tradesman, with a large family, who receives perhaps but partial employment and scanty wages, is also an object of deep sympathy.
We would hope that appeals to the public on behalf of those children of distress are almost unnecessary, as the man who would attempt to deny their claims for assistance would be something less than human. We would merely remark, however, that though public charities may be the means of effecting much real good, yet they should not be allowed to operate so as to cripple individual benevolence. No man who possesses the means of indulging in the luxuries, or even of enjoying the necessaries of life, should suppose that he has fully performed his duty, in times like the present, by subscribing to a public charity. There will still be individual cases of suffering which individuals only can properly alleviate, and the deeds of charity thus performed, comparatively in secret, will contribute a much greater amount of satisfaction to the breast of the charitable giver, than large sums bestowed on public means of relief. We need not harrow the feelings of our readers by dwelling on the frightful scenes of human suffering and death which have lately occurred in the southern districts, and which are rapidly spreading towards the north. It is enough to know that famine is very near, “even at the doors,” and that those who withhold the aid which is in their power to render, at a season like the present, assist in taking away the lives of their starving fellow-countrymen.
End notes :
Source citation for this page: Arborealis. “2024 New Year’s News Reader.” Historical news articles having New Year’s Day as a theme, transcribed by Alison Kilpatrick. Online at Arborealis, arborealis.ca/2023/12/31/2024-new-year/, accessed [insert date].
All rights reserved. Alison Kilpatrick ©2023. Reproduction or sharing of this page is not permitted. Re-use of any part of these transcripts is permitted for research, private study, education, parody, satire, criticism or review, and news reporting subject to (1.) adherence to the Fair Dealing clause in the Copyright Act of Canada, and (2.) attribution (credit to the transcriber) with an appropriate source citation (see the Sample Source Citation, above), and a link back to Arborealis arborealis.ca. See also the appeal for common courtesy and ethical use statements.
Published 31st Dec. 2023; edited 1st Jan. 2024.
