Events for January 26

January 26, 1871

Sir Arthur du Cros, pioneer of pneumatic tyre industry, is born in Dublin

Sir Arthur Philip Du Cros, 1st Baronet (26 January 1871 – 28 October 1955) was a British industrialist and politician.

January 26, 1316

Edward the Bruce and Irish allies engage English forces at the Battle of Ardscull, Ireland

In 1315, Edward the Bruce, brother of King Robert, landed in Ulster where he crowned himself King of Ireland and appealed to the common Celtic heritage of the two nations for a joint effort against their common enemy, the English. This whole Irish adventure is often considered the most curious event in Wars of the Bruces. However, Robert the Bruce, fresh from his staggering victory at Bannockburn, had many reasons to send his brother to Ireland with over 5,000 veteran warriors.

January 26, 1907

Synges Playboy of the Western World is performed for the first time at the Abbey Theatre, Dublin, riot ensues

The Playboy of the Western World is a three-act play written by Irish playwright John Millington Synge, first performed at the Abbey Theatre, Dublin, on 26 January 1907. It is set in Michael James Flaherty’s public house in County Mayo during the early 1900s. It tells the story of Christy Mahon, a young man running away from his farm, claiming he killed his father.

January 26, 1878

Kirkpatrick McMillan, Scottish inventor of the bicycle, died

Kirkpatrick Macmillan (2 September 1812 in Keir, Dumfries and Galloway – 26 January 1878 in Keir) was a Scottish blacksmith. He is generally credited with inventing the treadle bicycle.