On This Week: Irish Moments from History (8th - 14th January)
Welcome to On This Week, where we delve into the standout stories from the years gone by, featuring standout news stories, major sporting events, and pop culture highlights that helped shape Irish life.
Here's your dose of Irish nostalgia from 8th - 14th January
This Week In Irish News
1982: When a major snowfall brought Ireland to a halt
One of the worst cold spells in decades hit Ireland in 1982, resulting in traffic chaos, fuel and food shortages, and the closure of schools and workplaces.
After 24 hours of the first snowfall, many people had to dig their way out of snow drifts and clear the roads.
Train stations and airports were forced to close while around 55,000 homes, mainly in rural areas, were without electricity.
2002: When dolphins were spotted in Dublin Port
Workers at Dublin Port spotted three dolphins swimming in the Alexandra Basin area west of the Irish Ferries terminal in Dublin Port.
This was the first reported sighting of dolphins at the heart of the Dublin Docklands, which are usually spotted in other parts of the country.
It was believed that the dolphins may have swum into the Liffey estuary behind an African-registered ship.
This Week In Irish Sports
2015: When Stephanie Roche came close to winning the FIFA Puskas Award
Ireland's Stephanie Roche was nominated for the prestigious FIFA Puskas Award, which recognises the best goal of the last year.
Both the first Irish person and the first woman to be nominated, Roche was nominated for an audacious volley that drew 6 million YouTube views and sparked hopes that she would be the first woman to win the award.
3.3 million votes were cast, with Colombia's James Rodriguez winning. He received 42% of the public vote, Roche 33%, and Robert van Persie 11%.
2019: Padraig Harrington made Europe’s captain for the Ryder Cup
Padraig Harrington was confirmed as Europe's captain for the 2020 Ryder Cup.
The Dubliner was the clear favourite, having served as a vice-captain at the previous three tournaments. He was the second Irish player to hold this role; Paul McGinley captained the side in 2014.
Harrington had to wait a bit longer, as the 2020 Ryder Cup was delayed by a year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. When they eventually played, the European team lost 19-9.
This Week In Irish Entertainment
1998: Dublin gets its first comedy club
The Laughter Lounge, the first purpose-built comedy club for Ireland, was opened in Dublin.
Previously, Irish comedians had to go to Britain to develop their craft, but the Laughter Lounge would showcase the best new and emerging Irish talent, as well as international acts.
Its opening night featured performances from Irish comedians Dylan Moran, Mark Doherty, and Barry Murphy, and English comedians Steve Frost and Miles Crawford.
2002: When Six emerged from Ireland’s 'Popstars’
The reality TV series ‘Popstars’ saw its eventual winners revealed to the general public. Six was the new pop band formed from the show, but the band lineup was missing one member.
The members were Kyle Anderson from Belfast, Sinéad Sheppard from Cork, Andy Orr from Dublin, Emma O'Driscollfrom Limerick and Liam McKenna from Tyrone.
Nadine Coyle was originally part of the group, but lost her place when it was discovered she was under 18. Sarah Keating took her spot.
Their first single, ‘There's a Whole Lot of Loving Going On’, became the fastest and third-biggest selling single in Irish history.
This Week In Irish Culture
1979: The Druid Theatre in Galway gets a new home
An old warehouse in Galway became the home for one of Ireland’s most prominent theatres.
Druid Theatre Company moved into their new home on Chapel Street, turning a former grocery stock house into the city’s newest theatre.
The theatre was later renamed ‘The Mick Lally Theatre’ in 2011 in memory of Druid co-founder, the late Mick Lally, who was best known for his role as Miley Byrne in Glenroe.
2000: Angela’s Ashes opens in Dublin and Limerick
Both Dublin and Limerick hosted a simultaneous premiere of Angela’s Ashes, the movie based on the best-selling book by Frank McCourt.
The film, set in McCourt’s home of Limerick, tells the story of the author’s impoverished upbringing after his family returned from the United States.
What was Number 1 in Ireland This Week?
1973: ‘Whiskey in the Jar’ by Thin Lizzy
Thin Lizzy's version of the classic Irish song saw them stay number 1 in the Irish charts for 17 weeks and in the UK top 30 for 12 weeks.
1995: ‘Love Me For A Reason’ by Boyzone
Boyzone revived the song for their debut album, where it became their breakthrough single in Ireland and the UK.
2003: ‘Sound of the Underground’ by Girls Aloud
Forming from the UK show Popstars: The Rivals, Sound of the Underground was an immediate hit for Girls Aloud, becoming a Christmas number one in the UK and topping the Irish charts.
Irish Celebrities Celebrating Birthdays This Week
Nicola Coughlan (39)
Actor best known for her roles in Derry Girls and Bridgerton.
Ray Houghton (64)
Former Republic of Ireland footballer who is now an analyst and commentator for RTÉ Sport
Kerry Condon (43)
Actor who is best known for her role in The Banshees of Inisherin, where she earned a BAFTA and Oscar nomination, as well as TV shows Rome and Better Call Saul.
Other Irish Trivia From This Week
1982: When Gay Byrne was pranked at Trinity College Dublin
Between 1979 and 1983, Mike Murphy’s candid camera show The Live Mike was a staple of Irish television, featuring pranks on RTÉ figures. He pulled off a coup by pranking his friend, Gay Byrne.
Acting as an overenthusiastic French football supporter, Murphy constantly interrupts and torments Byrne as he films a piece to camera at Trinity College Dublin.
Byrne finally cracks, telling the Frenchman where to go before discovering it was Murphy all along.
