On This Week: Irish Moments from History (28th July - 3rd August)
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 July to 3rd August.
This Week In Irish News
1973: First transatlantic flight arrives at Cork Airport
The Transocean Airways DC8 Jet became the first chartered transatlantic flight to fly directly to Cork Airport from New York City.
The landing came following a recent extension of a thousand feet to the Cork Airport runway. When the plane landed, The St. Finbar's Pipe Band, along with crowds of people, were there to greet them.
The then Lord Mayor of Cork, Councillor Chrissie Aherne, and Minister of State for Tourism and Transport, Denis Lyons, were also present to welcome its passengers to Cork.
2014: When the Jedi came to the great Skellig
Skellig Michael became a part of the Star Wars universe when filming of The Force Awakens took place there.
Local boatmen ferried crew members from Portmagee to the World Heritage Site for filming while the cast was brought by helicopter from a helipad on Valentia Island.
The island, located off the coast of County Kerry, featured in two Star Wars movies: The Force Awakens in 2015 and again in the following instalment, The Last Jedi, released in 2017.
This Week In Irish Sports
2015: Team Ireland finish on a high in Special Olympics
Team Ireland finished the Special Olympics in Los Angeles with an incredible 86 medals.
On the final day of the competition alone, Irish athletes won six gold, five silver, and five bronze medals. The final medal tally of 26 gold, 29 silver, 31 bronze, 31 personal bests and 43 placement ribbons.
The team obtained medals in disciplines such as basketball, soccer, athletics, badminton, equestrian, gymnastics and bowling,
2024: Paris Olympics bring medals for Ireland in multiple disciplines
Ireland had an Olympics to remember, with gold medals and more obtained in multiple disciplines.
Overall, the final tally was four golds, three bronzes, and 26 top-10 finishes.
In swimming, Daniel Wiffen took gold in the men's 800m freestyle and bronze in the men’s 1500m freestyle, while Mona McSharry took the bronze in the women’s 100m breaststroke.
In rowing, Fintan McCarthy and Paul O'Donovan took gold in the men’s lightweight double sculls, while Daire Lynch and Philip Doyle took bronze in the men’s double sculls.
Kellie Harrington took gold in the women’s lightweight boxing, and Rhys McClenaghan took gold in the men’s pommel horse.
This Week In Irish Entertainment
2001: Brian Dowling crowned winner of Big Brother 2
The reality TV game show Big Brother saw Brian Dowling crowned the winner of its second series.
Over four and a quarter million people cast telephone votes, making Dowling, from Rathangan in Co. Kildare, the winner.
The series was the most-watched Big Brother ever, with the final watched by 13.7 million viewers, making it Channel 4’s second most-watched show.
2019: Greg O’Shea wins fifth series of Love Island
Limerick rugby player Greg O’Shea and his partner Amber Gill, who is from Newcastle in the UK, were announced as the winners of Love Island 2019.
They were competing against Longford model Maura Higgins and her partner Curtis Pritchard, Tommy Fury and Molly-Mae Hague, and Ovie Soko and India Reynolds.
O’Shea entered the villa on day 43 before coupling up with Gill on day 46
This Week In Irish Culture
1965: The first Grand Canal Festival in Co Kildare
The first Grand Canal Festival opened in Robertstown, Co. Kildare in 1965.
Created as part of an effort to maintain the canals for boating, the festival evolved into an annual event featuring people dressed in 18th-century costumes, entertainment, archaeological and art exhibitions, and more.
The festival centre was the Grand Canal Hotel, which operated as a museum showcasing weapons, Georgian maps and rare books relating to the canal.
Funds raised from the festival were used to cover additional repairs to the building.
What was Number 1 in Ireland This Week?
1976: 'The Boys Are Back in Town’ by Thin Lizzy
Considered to be the band’s best song, the song was the first single from their album Jailbreak.
2003: ‘Crazy in Love’ by Beyoncé featuring Jay-Z
The lead single in Beyoncé’s debut solo album Dangerously in Love, her song has been ranked in several best-of lists.
2022: ‘Running Up That Hill’ by Kate Bush
The 1985 hit gained a new lease of life after featuring in the fourth season of Stranger Things, reaching number one in eight countries.
Irish Celebrities Celebrating Birthdays This Week
Eamon Dunphy (80)
Media personality, journalist, broadcaster, author, and sports pundit
Frances Fitzgerald (75)
Former Fine Gael politician who was Tánaiste from 2016 to 2017
Micheál Martin (65)
Taoiseach of Ireland and leader of Fianna Fáil
Other Irish Trivia From This Week
1994: Having tea with Daniel O’Donnell
Thousands of fans turned out in County Donegal, travelling as far as Australia, to chat and have tea with Daniel O’Donnell.
The tea party hosted by the singer in his mother’s home in Kincasslagh, Co Donegal, is a highlight of the Mary from Dungloe Festival.
Several thousand fans queued up outside his mother’s house to have a cup of tea and a chat with the man himself. The tradition began four years previously when he invited some fans to call around.
The tradition would continue until 2000 when large numbers made it unfeasible.
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
