On This Week: Irish moments from history (May 11th - 17th)
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 May 11th - 17th.
This week in Irish life and news
1974: Deadly bombings in Dublin and Monaghan
On 17 May 1974 a series of car bombs exploded in Dublin and Monaghan, killing 33 and injuring almost 300 people. The first bomb went off at 5.28 pm on Parnell Street; the second at 5.30 pm on Talbot Street; and the third at 5.32 pm on South Leinster Street. This footage shows the devastation and damage on the streets of Dublin in the aftermath of the explosion.
A fourth car bomb exploded at 7.58 pm in the town of Monaghan. In 1993 the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) claimed responsibility for the attacks. 34 people were killed, 27 in Dublin and seven in Monaghan.
1981: An attempt to kill the Pope
On 13 May 1981, Ireland was stunned by an attempt to kill Pope John Paul II. The announcement of the shooting was made on Vatican Radio. The Pope was taken to hospital by ambulance accompanied by Monsignor Martinez. Father Joe Dunn of the Radharc documentary unit was in Rome when the attack took place. He spoke to reporter Gerald Barry by telephone with an update on what happened. He describes the Pope's condition as
Less grave than they first thought
Father Dunn described how the Pope was shot by a young man aged about 30 while greeting somechildren. Two women were also caught in the fire. When the Pope was hit he fell into his secretary's arms.
According to Father Dunn, the President, Prime Minister and Secretary of State were all at the hospital where they awaited news of the Pontiff's fate. Fr Dunn had earlier that day been filming in the same spot near Saint Peter's Square where the incident happened.
Peter Hebblethwaite, religious writer and historian, who is also in Rome said that previous Popes were assassinated by poison but a shooting is unprecedented.
2001: The future of rubbish
Wheelie bins are standard all over Ireland these days, But back in 2001, green, brown and grey wheelie bins were a novelty. With landfill sites across the country filling up, an alternative approach to how to treat Ireland's rubbish was needed.
The solution was found with the introduction of wheelie bins. According to this report from May 16 2001, within the next three years, each household in the Dublin area would have three wheelie bins. One for dry recyclable waste, one for biological or wet waste, and another for everything else.
Over a hundred thousand households in Dublin had already received their first bin. However, in terraced streets with no gardens and narrow footpaths, residents said that they had nowhere to store the containers. Some were point blankly refusing to use them. Dublin Corporation accepted that the streets were not designed for wheelie bins and said they would continue to collect plastic bag refuse. They did not to accept that they should have consulted with residents. Matt Twomey, Assistant City Manager said it was not feasible to deal with the variety of households that exist in one go.
Bernie Walsh, who worked at Sunflower Recycling and had the job of separating waste, said many customers are already beginning to divide their rubbish. 25 years later, the problem of waste collection remains for many terrace-dwellers
The reporter was Anne Marie Green.
This week in arts and entertainment
1981: Thin Lizzy rock out on a new RTÉ show
Thin Lizzy were the special guests on a new RTÉ television series on this week 45 years ago. Riding high in both the singles and album charts at the time, Phil Lynott and Co performed 'Are You Ready?' from their 'Killers Live' EP.
This episode of ‘6 – 5 Live’ was broadcast on 16 May 1981. The presenter is Dave Heffernan.
1997: Garth Brooks takes over Croke Park
On this week 29 years ago, Garth Brooks played Croke Park in what was hailed as one of the biggest performances ever to be staged in Ireland. Colm Connolly reported from Croke Park ahead of the show where the faithful fans have begun gathering. It was estimated to bethe largest concert set ever seen in Ireland at the time, with equipment for the event filling 60 trucks for the 460 feet long stage.
Garth talked to the press about what Ireland and his fans mean to him. The star received a presentation disc for sales exceeding one million in the UK and Ireland. During his stay in Ireland Garth also managed to play a surprise show on the back of a van in Bray, Co. Wicklow.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 16 May 1997. The reporter is Colm Connolly.
This week in sports
1984: Celebrating 100 years of the GAA
In 1984 the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) was a hundred years old, and to mark this event an exhibition was held at the Royal Dublin Society (RDS) in Dublin profiling the organisation through the decades.
The Artane Boys Band provided the music for the occasion, playing the Centenary Salute written and directed by their musical director Joe Lynch. The exhibition was officially opened by Minister for Public Service John Boland who paid tribute to the GAA and the game's administrators up and down the country.
The exhibition told the story of the GAA in words, picture and in music over the past one hundred years. Each provincial council had a stand in the exhibition displaying its progress over the century. In this RTÉ News report from 16 May 1984, GAA Director General Liam Mulvihill describes the content of the exhibition and honours some of the great heroes of the game. He reiterates one of the objectives of GAA founder Michael Cusack:
The GAA of today can play its part in making people keep their heads up and have a pride in themselves.
The reporter was Michael Fisher.
1990: Bray Wanderers triumph at the FAI Cup Final
1990 was a big year for Irish soccer, but it wasn't all about Italia 90. On May 16, in the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) Harp Lager Cup final, Bray Wanderers beat St Francis three-nil in front of a crowd of thirty thousand at Lansdowne Road Stadium in Dublin. This shows scenes from the match, including the hat trick of goals by Bray's John Ryan.
The reporter was Colm Murray, and the commentator was George Hamilton.
What was Number 1 in Ireland this week?
1966: 'Pretty Flamingo' by Manfred Mann
Although the single hit number one in the UK for a single week sixty years ago, it stayed at the top of the Irish charts for a whopping four weeks, keeping 'Paint It Black' by the Rolling Stones off the top slot.
1985: 'The Unforgettable Fire' by U2
The musical legends from north Dublin topped the charts for two weeks in May 1985 with this classic.
1995: 'Key to My Life' by Boyzone
A decade later, a very different northside group topped the Irish charts.
'Key to My Life' by Boyzone knocked Take That's classic 'Back for Good' off the top spot and remained at number one for five weeks.
Famous Irish names celebrating birthdays this week
Domhnall Gleeson
The Dublin actor turns 43 on May 12.
Gabriel Byrne
The writer and actor celebrates his 76th birthday on May 12
Pierce Brosnan
Another irish acting legend has a birthday this week. Pierce Brosnan turns 73 on May 16.
