Events from the year 1929 in Ireland. Incumbents Governor-General: James McNeill President of the Executive Council: W. T. Cosgrave (CnaG) Events 17 January – all cats from abroad, except Great Britain, are to be kept in quarantine for a period of six months to avoid rabies. 8 February – a Belfast court sentences Fianna Fáil leader, Éamon de Valera, to one month in jail for illegally entering County Armagh. 20 February – Major-General Seán Mac Eoin, the Blacksmith of Ballinalee, is appointed Chief of Staff of the army. 12 May After his resignation from the army Major-General Seán Mac Eoin receives the Cumann na nGaedheal nomination in the Sligo-Leitrim by-election. Maud Gonne MacBride is arrested and charged with seditious libel against the State. 22 May – Northern Ireland general election for the Parliament of Northern Ireland, the first held following abolition of proportional representation and the redrawing of electoral boundaries to create single-seat territorial constituencies. The Ulster Unionist Party retains a substantial majority. 23 June – 300,000 people attend the Pontifical High Mass at the Phoenix Park to mark the end of the Catholic Emancipation centenary celebrations. 11 July – the restored General Post Office, Dublin, is officially opened by President W. T. Cosgrave. 22 July – the Shannon hydro-electric scheme at Ardnacrusha, County Clare is opened. August – Censorship of Publications Act sets up the Censorship of Publications Board. 21 October – the Shannon Hydro-Electric Scheme is handed over to the ESB (Electricity Supply Board), bringing electricity to Galway and Dublin. 24 October – start of Wall Street Crash; Ireland's economy suffers. Six banks in Northern Ireland begin to issue banknotes in sterling. Primary Certificate introduced, but optional, at end of primary education. Fordson tractor production is moved to Cork from the United States. Inishtrahull is depopulated (other than lighthouse keepers). Arts and literature 22 April – the first talking film, The Singing Fool starring Al Jolson, opens in the Capitol Theatre, Dublin. 3 July – Denis Johnston's The Old Lady Says "No!" is premièred by the Gate Theatre in Dublin, directed by Hilton Edwards. 29 November – Savoy Cinema opens in Dublin with the American colour talkie On with the Show. Elizabeth Bowen publishes her novel The Last September, set during the Irish War of Independence. Cecil Day-Lewis publishes Transitional Poem. Louis MacNeice publishes his poetry Blind Fireworks. Tomás Ó Criomhthain's autobiographical is published. Peadar O'Donnell publishes his