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 28th April to 4th May.
This Week In Irish News
1989: Stars come out to support Abbey Theatre
Actors and musicians took to the stage to raise funds for the Abbey Theatre.
The gala concert 'Artistes Salute The Abbey' produced by the Abbey's artistic director Noel Pearson, was a one-off production to raise £50,000 for the theater.
It involved prestigious performers including Bono, Daniel Day-Lewis, Burgess Meredith, Jason Miller and Maureen Potter, alongside actors from the Abbey Theatre, took the stage to perform songs, poetry and excerpts from celebrated stage works.
The funds raised would go towards a £5 million development fund target.
2022: Ireland's first large-scale solar farm opens in Wicklow
The first large-scale ground-mounted solar farm to supply electricity to the Irish grid was opened near Ashford in Co Wicklow.
Millvale solar farm incorporates 33,600 solar modules covering 25 hectares of land, and has a generation capacity of 8 megawatts of electricity, enough to power approximately 3,600 homes every year.
It is one of numerous solar projects to reach commercial operation under the Government's Renewable Electricity Support Scheme.
This Week In Irish Sports
2022: Katie Taylor retains world title in Madison Square Garden
Katie Taylor came back from the brink of defeat to defend her title against Amanda Serrano at Madison Square Garden.
It marked her 21st victory as a professional but it was hard-earned. Taylor had to dig deep to get through the middle rounds but recovered in the seventh and eight before finishing in style and winning via split-decision victory.
The night was sold-out with 19,187 people coming out to watch a female fight headline the Garden for the very first time.
2023: McLoughlin denies Cats at death as Galway snatch draw
Kilkenny and Galway played out an absorbing draw at Nowlan park where Declan McLoughlin rescued a draw for the Tribesmen.
The sub scored a sensational point from 45 metres on the left sideline to help earn Galway a thrilling draw. The game also marked the first time Henry Shefflin managed an opposing team at Nowlan Park for a championship venue.
The final score was Kilkenny 0-28 Galway 1-25.
This Week In Irish Entertainment
2020: Normal People premiers on RTÉ One
The show that introduced the world to Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones made its debut on RTÉ One 28th April. The adaptation of Sally Rooney's novel followed the lives of Connell and Marianne from their last year of secondary school to college.
The show was a massive hit with audiences with the finale smashing an RTÉ Player record with 3.3 million streams. The BBC would later announce that the adaptation was its most-streamed show of 2020 with over 62 million streams.
2024: Conan O'Brien makes his Ros na Rún debut
Irish American television host Conan O'Brien made his Irish TV drama debut on TG4's Ros na Rún on 30th April.
Those who tuned in saw O'Brian’s delivery man who deals with the soap’s village rogue and publican, Tadhg Ó Direáin.
The cameo was filmed as part of O'Brien's HBO travel series 'Conan O’Brien Must Go’ in which he said that "getting to work with the cast and crew of Ros Na Rún was a delightful highlight of my trip to Ireland".
This Week In Irish Culture
1994: Riverdance makes its global debut
Those watching the Eurovision Song Contest in 1994 were wowed by the interval act, which was none other than Riverdance.
The seven-minute act stole the show with over 300 million European viewers watching. Riverdance would go on to become an international commercial success around the world.
The contest saw Paul Harrington and Paul McGettigan winning for Ireland with 'Rock and Roll Kids'.
1999: The launch of Lyric FM
Lyric FM went on air from its state-of-the-art studios in Cornmarket Row Limerick.
The national radio station broke new ground by being the only dedicated to classical music and the arts in the country. The 24 hour radio station began its broadcast at noon on 1st May.
What was Number 1 in Ireland This Week?
1978: 'Night Fever' by The Bee Gees
The Bee Gees song is best known for being on the soundtrack to Saturday Night Fever starring John Travolta.
2003: 'We've Got the World' by Mickey Harte
Harte won You're a Star and the chance to represent Ireland at the Eurovision with 'We’ve Got The World’.
2013: 'Get Lucky' by Daft Punk featuring Pharrell Williams
Daft Punk's upbeat song dominated the airwaves with its combination of disco, funk, and pop.
Irish Celebrities Celebrating Birthdays This Week
Mary Lou McDonald (56)
Irish TD and leader of Sinn Féin.
Ruth Negga (44)
On screen and Broadway Actor best known for her roles in Preacher, Love/Hate and the movie Loving.
John O'Shea (44)
Former Ireland international and Man United player as well as interim manager of the Irish men's football team.
Other Irish Trivia From This Week
2008: Irish rock-paper-scissors champion crowned
Belfast man Mark Cleland was crowned Irish rock-paper-scissors champion this week in 2008.
Cleland defeated Martin Brosnan in the final at dtwo on Harcourt Street and had the honour of representing Ireland in the Rock Paper Scissors World Championships at the Beijing Olympics.
He would later go on to win the World Championships outright in August 2008.
Looking Ahead
Each Monday, On This Week will bring you a mix of stories from the last 75 years, to celebrate Volkswagen's 75 year anniversary, featuring the big news stories, sporting highlights and major pop culture moments. Volkswagen has been part of those unforgettable moments - driving families to milestones, memories, and moments that matter. Join us every week as we look back at the moments of yesteryear.
For more information visit 75 Years In Ireland | Celebrate our Birthday | VW Ireland
