29 January – the Dublin newspaper The Union is founded. The Unionist newspaper's goals are stated in its first edition as "A Journal devoted to the maintenance of the Union in the three kingdoms." Richard Moynan begins as a political illustrator with the paper in April.
7 March – 18 April: The Times publishes a series of articles on "Parnellism and Crime" quoting letters implicating Charles Stewart Parnell of involvement in illegal activities, in particular, support for the 1882 Phoenix Park Murders. A special commission, known as the "Parnell Commission", is proposed to investigate the allegations, as well as investigate links between the Home Rule party and the Fenians, eventually (in 1890) proving the letters forgeries written by Richard Pigott.[1]
29 March – the Irish Crimes Act of 1887 is introduced by Arthur Balfour in response to the boycott of certain landlords by their tenants (led by the National Land League), suspending the right to trial of people suspected of involvement in the boycott. The Crimes Act is passed in September, despite protests from Liberal and Home RuleMembers of Parliament, and will continue in force until 1890.
Michael Davitt publishes Revival of the Irish Woollen Industry: Brief Historical Record: How England Endeavoured to Destroy Irish Manufacture: How Irish Leaders Propose to Accomplish its Revival
William Lecky's A History of Ireland in the Eighteenth Century is published.
Alex G. Richey's A Short History of the Irish People, Down to the Date of the Plantation of Ulster is published.
Lady Wilde publishes Ancient Legends, Mystic Charms and Superstitions of Ireland, with Sketches of the Irish Past (later appended to The Ancient Race of Ireland)
Sir Samuel Ferguson's Ogham Inscriptions in Ireland, Wales, and Scotland is published posthumously.
Cavan GAA football teams Annagh Sons of Usnagh, Mountnugent Red Hands, Belturbet Rory O'Moore's, Mullagh Briffnians, Killinkere Defenders, Cross Independents, Moybulgue St. Patricks, and the Virginia Sarsfields are formed.
Moody, T. W. (1968). "The Times versus Parnell and Co., 1887–90". In Moody, T. W. (ed.). Historical Studies: papers read before the Irish Conference of Historians VI, Dublin, 2–5 June 1965. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul. pp.147–82. ISBN0-7100-6040-8.