See also: 1897 in Ireland, other events of 1898, 1899 in Ireland and the list of 'years in Ireland'.

Events

• The Local Government Act is introduced. It establishes popularly elected local authorities and gives qualified women a vote for the first time.
• James Connolly launches the Workers' Republic newsletter.
• The Mary Immaculate College in Limerick is founded to train Catholic national school teachers.
• Dr. John Colohan of Dublin imports the first petrol driven car into Ireland.
• The Gaelic League holds its first feis at Macroom, County Cork.

Arts and literature

• Oscar Wilde publishes The Ballad of Reading Gaol.

Sports

Births

Deaths