RTÉ - On This Week: Irish Moments from History

Welcome to On This Week, where we delve into the standout stories, sports triumphs, and cultural highlights from this week in years gone by. From historic GAA moments to iconic Irish events that made headlines worldwide, here's your dose of Irish nostalgia and fascinating trivia from February 3rd to February 9th.

This Week in Irish News

2004: Ireland Goes Metric on the Roads

On February 5th, 2004, Minister for Transport Seamus Brennan announced Ireland's transition from miles to kilometres for speed limits. Starting in September, road signs would display speed limits in kilometres per hour (km/h) instead of miles per hour (mph). This marked a major shift for motorists, with country road speed limits adjusted from 60 mph to 50 mph (80 km/h) and motorway limits raised to 100 km/h. The change was aimed at improving road safety, supported by an €8 million expansion of the National Roads Programme, which included new bypasses for Dundalk, Ashbourne, Ennis, and Sligo.

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2009: Snowstorm Shuts Down Dublin Airport

Freezing temperatures and heavy snow caused chaos this week in 2009 as Dublin Airport was forced to close for several hours. At least 100 flights were cancelled, leaving thousands of passengers stranded. While snowplows worked to clear the runway, Met Éireann reported that the cold snap, caused by Arctic and Siberian winds, was the harshest in over 30 years.Motorists faced treacherous icy roads, and some Dublin Bus routes were suspended, but Irish Rail services remained unaffected except for a closure between Bray and Gorey due to a landslide earlier that week. With cold weather expected to persist, the country braced itself for more wintery disruption.

1936: Birth of Tony Ryan, Aviation Entrepreneur

February 2nd marks the birth of Tony Ryan in County Tipperary. He would go on to co-found Ryanair, Europe's largest low-cost airline, revolutionising air travel and making it more accessible to millions.

1922: James Joyce's Ulysses Published in Paris

On February 2nd, 1922, James Joyce's groundbreaking novel Ulysses was published in Paris. The book, which chronicles a day in the life of Dubliner Leopold Bloom, is celebrated for its innovative narrative techniques and deep exploration of the human experience. Despite initial controversies and bans, Ulysses has become a cornerstone of modernist literature.

https://www.rte.ie/culture/2022/0126/1273565-100-years-of-ulysses-rte-celebrates-james-joyces-masterpiece/

This Week in Irish Arts and Culture

2004: Druid Theatre Launches the Ambitious DruidSynge

This week in 2004, Galway’s Druid Theatre unveiled its most ambitious project to date: DruidSynge, a celebration of John Millington Synge’s iconic works. Artistic Director Garry Hynes announced that all six of Synge’s plays would be performed together over two or three days, starting with the legendary The Playboy of the Western World. Leading the cast was a baby-faced future Oscar nominee, Cillian Murphy, playing Christy Mahon, alongside Anne-Marie Duff as Pegeen Mike, "the most famous female Irish part." Murphy called the play "just a fantastic piece of writing, a fantastic piece of theatre."

This Week in Irish Sports

Ireland Vs England Stalemate 1963

Stalemate as Ireland and England play out a scoreless draw at Lansdowne Road. Heavy rain had turned the playing surface into a mud bath and at times reduced the contest to a lottery with moments of comedy as the players struggled to hold on to their footing and the ball. The conditions also made the 75th game between the two countries a tough physical encounter as Ireland and England played out the first nil all draw since 1910.

Irish Celebrities Celebrating Birthdays This Week

Jim Sheridan (76) Oscar winning director

Margo O’Donnell (74)The queen of Irish country music celebrates her 74th birthday this week.

Dara O’Briain (53) One of Ireland’s most celebrated comedians

This Week in Irish Entertainment

1981: U2 Releases Boy in the US
U2’s debut album Boy hit US stores this week in 1981, marking the beginning of their journey to global superstardom. The album’s anthem "I Will Follow" still resonates with fans worldwide.

1992: The Commitments Win at the Brit Awards
Ireland’s most famous band-that-never-was continued to make waves as The Commitments picked up multiple awards this week. The film, based on Roddy Doyle’s novel, showcased the talent of a largely unknown Irish cast.

What Was Number 1 in Ireland This Week?

1971: "My Sweet Lord" by George HarrisonThe ex-Beatle’s soulful track was at the top of the Irish charts this week in 1971.

1990: "Nothing Compares 2 U" by Sinéad O’ConnorSinéad’s haunting ballad was dominating the airwaves this week, cementing her as one of Ireland’s most iconic and influential artists.

Did You Know? Fun Irish Trivia for February 3rd

The Irish Air Corps Was Formed This Week in 1922
On February 3rd, 1922, the Irish Air Corps was officially established. Its first aircraft? A small biplane gifted by the RAF!
Ireland’s First Public Cinema Opens.
February marks the anniversary of Ireland’s first public cinema, which opened in Dublin in 1909. Tickets were just pennies, but the magic of the movies was priceless.

Looking Ahead

Each week, On This Week will bring you a mix of Irish stories, sports highlights, and cultural gems. From Ireland going metric on the roads to U2’s first steps on the world stage, this week reminds us of the rich milestones of Irish life.

Have a favourite moment to share? Let us know - your memories could feature in next week’s edition. Email: onthisweek@rte.ie