HMS Duchess, accidentally rammed by a battleship in thick fog, sunk with heavy loss of life
December 12, 1939
The Cork Opera House is destroyed by fire
December 12, 1939
Peadar Kearney, composer of lyrics to Ireland National Anthem, A Soldier's Song, is born
December 12, 1883
Gerald Griffin, the Irish novelist, poet, and playwright, was born
December 12, 1803