Freeman’s Journal

Today, 10 September marks the 262th anniversary of Freeman’s Journal newspaper.

Although the INA holds a number of newspapers from the 1700s, the Freeman’s Journal is the oldest, commencing in 1763.

Founded by Charles Lucas, the Freeman’s remained in circulation until 1924 and for much of the 19th century was easily the largest selling newspaper, only challenged by the Nation on occasions.

While its politics changed over time from organ of the political elite in London to representing the views of nationalist Ireland, it remained a popular choice with readers through the 19th century. In 1872, the paper doubled in size from four pages to eight pages.

The image below is the first front page which survives in the INA and includes an address to the so-called Whiteboys of the South and the Oak boys of the north, secret agrarian societies whose actions would come to dominate local communities for almost one hundred years afterwards

For more information on the newspaper search the pages of the Irish Newspaper Archive (www.irishnewsarchive.com)