Ireland's History 1970 AD - 1979 AD
1970 AD: Minister Charles Haughey and Neil Blaney are dismissed from Jack Lynch's Irish government for an alleged arms smuggling conspiracy (neither minister is convicted in a later trial). US President, Richard Nixon, visits Ireland. Gerry Fitt forms the Social Democratic Labour Party (SDLP) in Northern Ireland. The Republican movement splits into the Provisional IRA and the Official IRA. The Ulster Defence Regiment replaces the B Specials. Moderate Protestants and Catholics form the Alliance Party. The Catholic hierarchy removes its ban on Catholics attending Trinity College, Dublin. Irish banks go on strike for six months, many small businesses go broke as a result. "All Kinds of Everything", sung by Dana, wins the Eurovision Song Contest for Ireland. Van Morrison releases "Moondance". Christy O'Connor is selected as Texaco Golf Sportstar of the Year (one of five times) and Supreme Sports Star. Nijinsky, trained by Vincent O'Brien, becomes the first horse to win the English Classic "grand slam" since 1935. The All Ireland champions are Cork (hurling) and Kerry (football).
1971 AD: The first British soldier is killed in the current troubles (February 6). Internment is introduced in Northern Ireland without trial for suspected Republicans (9 August). By the end of the year, 1,500 people have been placed in custody. Brian Faulkner becomes Prime Minister of Northern Ireland. The Rev Ian Paisley forms the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). The Republic of Ireland aopts decimal coinage. The "Children of Lir" group (sculptor, Oisin Kelly) is unveiled in the Garden of Remembrance, Dublin. Donal Lunney, Christie Moore, Liam O'Flynn and Andy Irvine form the Irish folk group, Planxty. Mary Lavin publishes "Collected Stories". The All Ireland champions are Tipperary (hurling) and Offaly (football). The death of Sean Lemass (born 1899).
1972 AD: Republic of Ireland voters opt to join the European Economic Community (EEC). The voting age in the Republic is lowered from 21 to 18. The Special Criminal Court (three judges, no jury) is initiated in Dublin to try political offences, "Bloody Sunday" in Derry, 13 demonstrators are killed by soldiers of the Parachute Regiment (30 January). The British Embassy in Dublin is burnt down during riots (2 February). The Northern Ireland parliament is suspended in favour of direct rule by the British parliament. William Whitelaw becomes first Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. The "Bloody Friday" bombings take place in Belfast, 19 people are killed and 130 injured (21 July). By the end of 1972, the "troubles" have claimed 678 lives since 1969. A referendum removes the special status of the Catholic Church from the constitution of Ireland. The Irish government introduces calue added tax (VAT). The Irish Farmers Association is founded. The NIHE, Limerick (now the University of Limerick), is officially opened. Radio na Gaeltachta begins broadcasting. Phil Lynott and Thin Lizzy have a UK hit with "Whiskey in the Jar". Seamus Heaney publishes "Wintering Out". The All Ireland champions are Kilkenny (hurling) and Offaly (football). The death of Padraic Colum (born 1881), writer.
1973 AD: The Republic of Ireland joins the EEC. Northern Ireland joins the EEC with the United Kingdom. As a result of the Republic of Ireland's general election, a Fine Gael and Labour coalition is formed under Liam Cosgrave. Erskine Hamilton Childers becomes President of Ireland. The "Claudia" arms shipment is intercepted by the Irish Navy. Elections are held for the new Northern Ireland power-sharing assembly. The Ulster United Unionist Council (UUUC) is founded by the Orange Order, DUP and other Loyalist groups. At the Sunningdale Conference, Northern Irish political parties, the UK and the Republic of Ireland agree to establish a "Council of Ireland". The Irish Civil Service removes its bar on female employees marrying. The Supreme Court rules that the ban on importing contraceptives is unconstitutional. The compulsory pass in Irish is removed from the Intermediate and Leaving Certificate Examinations. Hugh Leonard stages "Da". The All Ireland champions are Limerick (hurling) and Cork (football).
1974 AD: Cearbhall O'Dalaigh becomes the fifth President of Ireland (unopposed). Loyalist terrorists explode three bombs in the centre of Dublin (24 killed) and a fourth in Monaghan town (6 killed). Ireland's biggest robbery to date takes place near Tralee, County Kerry, 75,000 pounds are stolen from a Post Office van. The UUUC win 11 out of 12 Northern Irish seats in the British general election. A Loyalist general strike closes electrical services and blockades Belfast (May). The Northern Ireland power sharing assembly is abandoned and the British government resumes direct rule. An IRA attempt to tunnel out of the Maze Prison is foiled. The Irish National Liberation Army (INLA) is formed from militant dissidents in the Official IRA. In the UK, the Guildford bombing leaves 5 dead and the Birmingham pub bombings, 21 dead. The new Central Bank building in Dublin is ordered to be lowered by 13 feet (4 metres) after planners find it has exceeded its permitted height. An oil spillage from the tanker "Universal 1" threatens the West Cork coast. Powerscourt House, County Wicklow, is burnt down. Sean MacBride wins the Nobel Peace Prize. The All Ireland champions are Kilkenny (hurling) and Dublin (football). The deaths of Kate O'Brien (born 1894), and Seamus Murphy (born 1907), sculptor.
1975 AD: The IRA agree to a cease-fire in February, but this ends in November. Elections are held for the Northern Ireland Constitutional Convention. The proposed assembly fails when the UUUC reject power sharing. In the Miami Showband massacre, three band members and two UVF men are killed. Internment in Northern Ireland ens (5 December). The Herrema kidnapping and the Monasterevan siege take place (September-October). Five people are killed in the Clogh Bridge train disaster in County Wexford. The Blessed Oliver Plunkett, executed in 1681, is canonised. The Druid Theatre, in Galway, opens. The All Ireland champions are Kilkenny (hurling_ and Kerry (football). The death of Eamon de Valera (born 1882).
1976 AD: President O'Dalaigh resigns on a point of constitutional principle, he is replaced by Dr. Patrick Hillery. A report states that the Irish inflation rate is the highest in the EEC. 150,000 pounds are stolen in the Sallins mail train robbery. Christopher Ewart-Biggs, the British Ambassador, and his secretary are killed by a landmine near his Rathfarnham residence. In the Kingsmill massacre, County Armagh, ten Protestants are murdered in retaliation for the murder of five Catholics on the previous day. The Peace People movement is inaugurated in Belfast after three children die in a terrorist incident. The "blanket protest" is initiated by H Block Republican prisoners against the removal of their "special category" political status. A new Adoption Act permits couples in the Irish Republic to adopt children of a different religion. Mairead Corrigan and Betty Wilson, founders of the Peace People, win the Nobel Peace Prize. Seamus Heaney publishes "North". The All Ireland champions are Cork (hurling) and Dublin (football).
1977 AD: Fianna Fail are re-elected with a clear majority in the general election in the Republic of Ireland. Jack Lynch forms the government. Dr. Garret Fitzgerald succeeds Liam Cosgrave as leader of Fine Gael. The Workers' Party is founded after a split in Sinn Fein. 1,400 jobs are lost in Limerick when the Ferenka factory closes down after a long-running industrial dispute. The Treasures of Ireland Exhibition opens in the US. Alex Higgins wins the World Professional Snooker championship. The All Ireland champions are Cork (hurling) and Dublin (football). The death of Sean Keating (born 1889), artist.
1978 AD: An Irish army battalion is sent to join the UN Peacekeeping Force in southern Lebanon. Jack Lynch addresses the UN General Assembly. David Cook of the Alliance Party is elected as Belfast's first non-Unionist Mayor. In the La Mon hotel bombing in County Down, 16 people are killed. The Matt Talbot Memorial Bridge opens in Dublin (the first new bridge to cross the Liffey since 1880). The Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) is founded. RTE 2, Ireland's second TV station, begins broadcasting. Bob Quinn screens "Poitin" (an Irish language film). Thin Lizzy release "Live and Dangerous". The All Ireland champions are Cork (hurling) and Kerry (football). The death of Micheal MacLiammoir (born 1899).
1979 AD: The Republic census: 3,365,000 (an increase of 13 per cent). Jack Lynch retires from politics. He is replaced as leader of Fianna Fail and Taoiseach by Charles Haughey (December). European parliament elections are helf for the first time (15 seats in the Republic of Ireland). Successful candidates in Northern Ireland (3 seats) include John Hume and the Rev Ian Paisley. The French oil tanker "Betelgeuse" explodes at Whiddy Island Oil Refinery in Bantry Bay, killing 50 people. The death of Lord Mountbatten and three others in the Mullaghmore boat bombing. On the same day, 18 British soldiers are killed in a bomb and gun attack at Warrenpoint, County Down (27 August). The Irish Republic joins the European Monetary System which means the end of parity between sterling and the punt. The Irish postal workers' strike lasts four months. Pope John Paul II visits Ireland, 1,000,000 people attend an outside mass at Phoenix Park. In Drogheda, the Pope appeals for peace in Northern Ireland. Tomas O'Fiaich, Archbishop of Armagh, is appointed Cardinal. The Irish Film Board is established. Seamus Heaney publishes "Fieldwork". The All Ireland champions are Kilkenny (hurling) and Kerry (football).
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