On This Week: Irish Moments from History (18th - 24th 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 18th - 24th August.
This Week In Irish News
1995: Microsoft launch Windows 95 for PCs
Microsoft launched Windows 95 in Ireland, a new operating system designed to make computers easier to use for consumers.
A worldwide launch saw great fanfare as the operating system improved navigation, multimedia use, and internet access.
Windows 95 was manufactured in Ireland for distribution across Europe. For £70, demand for it was steady, and it sold out quickly in retailers.
2024: Carlow man crowned Supreme World Ploughing Champion
Eamonn Tracey from Carlow has been crowned Supreme World Ploughing Champion at the 69th World Ploughing Contest in Tartu, Estonia's second city.
It marked his third successive victory in the Conventional Class.
Jer Coakley, from West Cork, also returned home with glory after storming to victory as Reversible World Ploughing Champion.
This Week In Irish Sports
1984: Liverpool FC pay a visit to Dublin
Liverpool football club visited Dublin to play a friendly against Home Farm, which featured players selected from the League of Ireland.
Fans were out in force at Dublin Airport to greet the team, which included players like Ian Rush, Kenny Dalglish, and Alan Hansen and is considered one of the club’s greatest teams.
Rush was awarded a Player of the Year award by the Dublin branch of the Liverpool Supporters Club.
Liverpool would go on to win the match 3 - 0.
2018: Limerick hang on to end 45 years of pain
Limerick won its first All-Ireland hurling title since 1973, surviving a valiant comeback from defending champions Galway to secure the title.
The game exploded into life in the final 10 minutes as Galway cut a 68th-minute eight-point deficit to just one in injury time.
But Limerick dug deep to win in front of a full house in Croke Park.
This Week In Irish Entertainment
2003: Red Hot Chili Peppers rock Slane
Two years after playing support to U2, Red Hot Chilli Peppers headlined a sold-out show at Slane Castle in Co Meath.
The band promised to return at their last gig in Slane and did so in front of an 80,000 crowd. They were supported by the Foo Fighters, Queens of the Stone Age, PJ Harvey, Feeder, Morcheeba, and Halite.
The concert saw music fans travel from all around Ireland and abroad to enjoy the lineup.
2024: Half a million tune in to see Rose of Tralee crowned
Over half a million viewers tuned in to watch New Zealand Rose Keely O’Grady crowned the 2024 International Rose of Tralee.
It was the second time a rose from New Zealand won the competition; the last time was in 1988. O’Grady was studying Speech and Language Therapy at Canterbury University when she won the 64th Rose of Tralee festival.
The Co Kerry festival drew a peak of 599,100 viewers on RTÉ One, while an average audience of 543,000 watched the festival.
This Week In Irish Culture
2005: Phil Lynott sculpture unveiled
A sculpture of Thin Lizzy frontman Phil Lynott was unveiled outside Bruxelles Bar, just off Grafton Street.
Thin Lizzy was regarded as Ireland’s first successful rock band, and hundreds turned up to witness the unveiling by the musician's mother, Philomena Lynott, and then-Lord Mayor Catherine Byrne.
The life-size sculpture was sculpted by Paul Daly and commissioned by the Róisín Dubh trust, which was established to commemorate Lynott's life and work.
What was Number 1 in Ireland This Week?
1970: 'The Wonder of You’ by Elvis Presley
The Ray Peterson cover became one of Elvis’ most successful records in the UK ever and stayed number one in Ireland for three weeks.
1992: ‘Rhythm is a Dancer’ by Snap!
The German Eurodance group’s song was an international success, topping the charts in France, Italy, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, and the UK.
2000: Rock DJ by Robbie Williams
Coming from his third studio album, Rock DJ became Robbie Williams’ second number-one single in Ireland, the other being Millennium.
Irish Celebrities Celebrating Birthdays This Week
Elaine Crowley (48)
TV journalist, presenter and newsreader who presents Ireland AM on Virgin Media TV
Kevin Long (35)
Irish footballer who plays for Toronto FC and the Republic Of Ireland
Michael McGrath (49)
Fianna Fail politician and EU Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection
Other Irish Trivia From This Week
1986: The three-mile human chain formed on Croagh Patrick
3,000 pilgrims participated in a ‘hands link’ at Croagh Patrick, creating a three-mile human chain from the base to the summit.
Croagh Patrick is traditionally climbed by pilgrims on Reek Sunday every year, which falls on the last Sunday in July.
This was a special pilgrimage to help raise funds for the Rehabilitation Institute, which was co-organised with Co-Operation North, the 32-county organisation dedicated to creating links between people in the North and South.
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
