On This Week: Irish moments from history (June 1st - 6th)
Welcome to On This Week, where we delve into the standout stories from the years gone by, featuring standout news stories, sporting events, and pop culture highlights that helped shape Irish life. Here's your dose of Irish history from June 1st - 6th.
This week in Irish life and news
1975: Northern Ireland votes yes to Europe
The Northern Ireland result was close as the people of the United Kingdom voted to remain part of the European Community. On 5 June 1975, the United Kingdom held its first ever referendum. The subject of the referendum related to the European Community and the Common Market and asked the question,
Do you think that the United Kingdom should stay in the European Community (the Common Market)?
The overall result showed that 67.23% of the electorate were in favour of remaining in the European Community. The result was less decisive in Northern Ireland where only 52% voted in favour of remaining in the European Community. The Returning Officer in Northern Ireland announced the final result with 259,251 votes in favour of remaining and 237.911 against. The referendum came just two years after the United Kingdom joined the European Economic Community (EEC). Exactly 41 years later, in June 2016, the UK would vote to leave the EU.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 6 June 1975. The reporter is John O'Callaghan.
1991: Pregnant Pat Kenny
Antenatal teacher Linda Ware invented The Empathy Belly, a pregnancy simulator garment that helps the wearer experience up to 20 symptoms of being in the third trimester of pregnancy. When teaching antenatal classes, Ware found despite all the charts and pictures showing the changes pregnant women go through, men still said they do not understand.
There are so many changes that never occur to men.
In a bid to experience pregnancy first hand, Pat Kenny agreed to have The Empathy Belly strapped to his body.
The garment restricted his breathing and puts pressure on his bladder. Kenny declared,
Thank God I didn't have a pint before the show.
Linda Ware placed weights into the garment to simulate a baby's arms and legs and hands. The pregnancy experience is completed with the addition of some unattractive maternity wear which would enable the wearer to understand what it feels like to have a whole new self image. Kenny attempted the opening of 'Kenny Live’ wearing The Empathy Belly, which he discovered is a very different experience indeed.
The episode of 'Kenny Live’ was broadcast on 1 June 1991.
1996: Garda Jerry McCabe is murdered
Jerry McCabe, a member of the Garda Síochána, was killed in Adare, County Limerick forty years ago this week. He was shot dead and his colleague Ben O'Sullivan was injured on June 7 1996 in Adare, County Limerick by members of the Provisional IRA, during the attempted robbery of a post office van.
McCabe and O'Sullivan, both 52, were escorting a Post Office truck making cash deliveries in the area.
First-hand witness Willie Jackson, the An Post driver, described what happened:
Three guys in army fatigues and balaclavas jumped out of the jeep and attacked the patrol car and started shooting. I jumped off the tail of the truck and moved onto the footpath. I had my hands in the air because I thought that they were in such as state that they would have shot anybody that passed.
At a press conference in Limerick City Gardaí told journalists that they had a report of suspicious activity near the Woodlands Hotel, a mile outside Adare earlier in the morning. They appealed for similar information from the public.
This week in arts and entertainment
1991: At the drive-in in Dublin
On this week 35 years ago, Movieville USA launched its début season and claimed the world's largest film screen for the Phoenix Park. Dubliners showed they were keen to celebrate America's great tradition the drive-in movie on a 100ft wide x 84ft high movie screen, organised as part of Dublin's European City of Culture. Hundreds of cars file into the former Phoenix Park Racecourse for a drive-in movie night. With room for 1,000 cars, organisers created a 1950s American tented village experience to cater for the estimated 50,000 people they expected to attend. Americana kitsch, hot dogs, ice cream, burgers and rock'n'roll were on offer, and the crowd dressed to match the vibe.
Twelve iconic movies were selected to be shown on the giant screen to Dublin audiences in this unusual venue including The Blues Brothers, Lethal Weapon, Grease, Jagged Edge, Blazing Saddles, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Dirty Dancing, Good Morning Vietnam, Batman and The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 7 June 1991.
1992: Edna O'Brien on being a female writer
On 5th June 1992, Edna O'Brien was the subject of the programme Writer in Profile. In an interview with David Hanly, O'Brien strongly disagreed with those claiming that men and women are the same, and directed them to the great works of literature for what she saw as proof.
Read Shakespeare, and you get immediately what is the difference between men and women, and thank God for it.
David Hanly suggested that the conclusion to be reached from her books is that all men are dishonourable. This is most definitely not the case, O'Brien maintained.
To think that I just am this sort of bitter alone woman who writes savagely about men, I couldn't let that pass.
And while organised religion hasdno place in her life thanks to the negative experiences of growing up a Catholic, she described herself as a spiritual person,
The hunch of God is essential to me in my inner self.
This week in sports
1998: The first Irish woman to climn Mount Everest
Josie (Josephine) Kieran became the first woman from Ireland to climb Mount Everest 28 years ago. Returning to Dublin, Josie Kieran said that climbing 28,750 feet to the south summit was the most physically taxing climb of her life. Hundreds gathered to cheer her as she arrived at Dublin Airport on June 1 1998.
A nurse from County Louth, on reaching the south summit Kieran raised the tricolour and raised funds for a number of charities in the process. The flag had been given to her by President Mary McAleese. Speaking at Dublin Airport, a joyous Kiernan had a message.
To the women of Ireland, I repeat. Have faith in yourselves. Follow your dream and success will follow.
The reporter is Deirdre McCarthy.
2001: Eric Cantona visits Dublin
On this week 25 years ago, former Manchester United star Eric Cantona visited Dublin to promote beach football. He was in Ireland for the launch of the Budweiser Beach Festival at Wanderers Rugby Football Club (RFC). The venue had been transformed into a beach to host to Ireland's first ever European professional beach soccer and rugby tournament.
At a press conference Eric Cantona spoke about his passion for the sport of beach soccer. He was adamant it is a serious sport and was seeking it's inclusion in the 2004 Summer Olympics.
I think we've proved and we will prove again that it's a real sport.
Manchester United fans had recently voted for Eric Cantona as the greatest player to appear for the club.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 2 June 2001. The reporter is Robbie Irwin.
What was Number 1 in Ireland this week?
1971: 'I am...I said' by Neil Diamond
The beloved crooner and songwriter was number one for two weeks with this song about an existential crisis, which he later claimed was inspired by an unsuccessful attempt to star in a biopic of legendary comedian Lenny Bruce.
1985: '19' by Paul Hardcastle
This electro-pop anti-war song was at the top of the charts for two weeks 41 years ago.
2002: 'Without Me' by Eminem
This announcement of his return to the spotlight was a big international hit for Eminem, and was at the top of the Irish charts for three weeks in the early summer of 2002
Famous Irish names celebrating birthdays this week
Rosaleen Linehan
The Irish acting legend will be 89 on June 1st.
Liam Cunningham
The actor turns 65 on June 2nd.
Donal Skehan
The cook, TV presenter and food writer turns 40 on June 3rd.
