On This Week: Irish moments from history (16th to 22nd February)
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 history from 16th - 22th of February.
This week in Irish news
1981: Back to the future: the DeLorean is revealed
It was billed as the car as the future - but the DeLorean failed to win over actual drivers and is now best known as the time machine in the much-loved Back to the Future films starring Michael J Fox and Christopher Lloyd.
On February 16th 1981, former General Motors Vice-President John DeLorean revealed the first DeLorean at the Ulster Motor Show in Belfast. The car, with its distinctive doors, was not a huge hit and the company went bankrupt in 1982, long before the first Back to the Future movie was released in 1985.
1985: Prescription-free condoms
It may seem shocking now now that condoms were once only available on prescription in this country, but that only began to change in 1985.
On February 17th of that year, Minister for Public Service John Boland announced a new family planning bill that would allow adults in Ireland to buy condoms without prescription, and decried some of the pressure put on politicians by opponents to the measure as "reminiscent of Germany in the 1930s". However, that wasn't the end of Ireland's condom controversies - condom sales were still restricted to pharmacies and just a few years later the Irish Family Planning Association faced legal action for selling condoms in Dublin's Virgin Megastore.
1987: Ireland goes to the polls
It was General Election week in 1987, and the Progessive Democrats fought as an independent party for the first time. After Ireland went to the polls on February 17th the new party won 14 seats, becoming the third biggest party after Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. Despite having only 81 seats, Fianna Fáil formed a minority government, with Charles Haughey elected as Taoiseach. Many young voters, however, felt disenchanted and unrepresented by the whole process.
1992: Thousands march in Dublin in X-Case Protest
After the High Court refused to allow a 14-year-old rape victim to leave the country to obtain an abortion, thousands marched through the streets of Dublin on February 22nd 1992.
The Supreme Court later over-ruled the decision on the basis that the 14-year-old was suicidal.
This week in arts and entertainment
1987: Daniel O'Donnell on the Late Late Show
Described by host Gay Byrne as "a bright new star from Donegal", Daniel O'Donnell was resplendant in a shiny aqua-blue jacket when he appeared on the Late Late Show on February 20th 1987.
The singer from Kincasslagh performed the title track from his latest album 'I Need You', an old Ricky Nelson hit.
1997: The Spice Girls come to town
On February 21st 1987, Ireland got a taste of girl power when the Spice Girls arrived in Dublin for the IRMA awards.
'We think the Irish men are really sexy," Geri Halliwell told reporter Gareth O'Connor. "It's the accents." The Spice Girls won Best International Pop Album at the awards for their debut, Spice.
This week in sports
1982: Ireland win the Triple Crown
On February 20th 1982, Ireland beat Scotland at Lansdowne Road to win the Triple Crown in rugby's Five Nations Championship for the first time since 1949.
Outhalf Ollie Campbell scored all 21 points for Ireland kicking six penalties and a drop goal. The final score was Ireland 21 to Scotland 12.
1990: Plastic bullets fired at match in Belfast
The RUC opened fire with plastic bullets at a football match at Windsor Park in Belfast on February 17th 1990 after clashes broke out between supporters of teams Linfield and Donegal Celtic.
Buses nearby were subsequently burned out. With at least thirty people injured, it was one of the most violent days in Irish sporting history.
What was Number 1 in Ireland this week?
1987: 'I Knew You Were Waiting for Me' by George Michael and Aretha Franklin
Two music legends joined forces for this classic pop belter which was number one for three weeks in February 1987.
1997: 'Discotheque' by U2
Maybe it was because at this point they had their own club - The Kitchen in the Clarence Hotel in Temple Bar, which played host to many international DJs, but U2 were in the mood for dancing when they released this track in early 1997.
It was number one for two weeks.
2007: 'Grace Kelly' by Mika
Mika's first and biggest hit was top of the charts this week in 2007.
'Grace Kelly', the melody of which was inspired by an aria from the Rossini opera The Barber of Seville, stayed at number one for an incredible seven weeks.
Famous Irish names celebrating birthdays this week
Brenda Fricker
The Oscar-winning star of My Left Foot turns 81 on February 17th.
Ed Guiney
The co-founder and co-CEO of Element Pictures, producers of multiple award-winning films including Room, The Favourite and Poor Things, turns 60 on February 19th.
Sally Rooney
The acclaimed writer turns 35 on February 20th.
