Events in the year 1901 in Ireland. Events 1 January – The centenary of the Act of Union was celebrated by British forces in Ireland. 3 January – Despite some opposition Drogheda Corporation voted to confer the freedom of the town on President Kruger of the Boers. 22 January – Queen Victoria died in London. In Dublin theatres were closed and the blinds were drawn at the General Post Office. 24 January – Edward VII was proclaimed King of Ireland in a state ceremony at Dublin Castle. 2 February – Banks, public offices, theatres and music halls were closed in Dublin for the funeral of Queen Victoria. 19 February – Thomas O'Donnell, a Nationalist Member of Parliament, was stopped by the Speaker from addressing the British House of Commons in Irish. 31 March – The Irish population census was taken. The population of the entire island was 4.5 million people. Roman Catholics outnumbered Anglicans and Presbyterians by almost three to one. 16 June – The Catholic Cathedral of St. Eunan and St Columba opened in Letterkenny. 11 July – The was launched at the Harland and Wolff shipyard in Belfast. She was the largest ship in the world and would sail between Liverpool and New York. The Jammet Hotel and Restaurant opened in Dublin. The Barry's Tea company was founded in Cork. The first Roches Stores shop opened. Arts and literature 21 October – Douglas Hyde's play Casadh an tSúgáin was premièred by Conradh na Gaeilge's Amateur Dramatic Society for the Irish Literary Theatre at the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin, featuring the author and Máire Ní Chinnéide and directed by William Fay and George Moore. Patrick S. Dinneen's Cormac Ó Conaill became the first novel in Irish published complete in book form. George Moore's novel Sister Theresa was published. Sport Football International 23 February – Scotland 11–0 Ireland (in Glasgow) 9 March – England 3–0 Ireland (in Southampton) 23 March – Ireland 0–1 Wales (in Belfast) Irish League Winners: Distillery Irish Cup Winners: Cliftonville 1–0 Freebooters St Columb's Court, a team from Derry, joined the Irish Football League, but only lasted one season. Athletics 5 August – Peter O'Connor set the first International Association of Athletics Federations recognised long jump world record, of 24 ft 11¾ in. (7.61 m), in Dublin. It remained unbeaten for 20 years and an Irish record for 89. Births 11 February – Roddy Connolly, Labour Party