1966 in Ireland - Definition and Overview

See also: 1965 in Ireland, other events of 1966, 1967 in Ireland and the list of 'years in Ireland'.

Events

• February 13 - The Bishop of Clonfert protests over the content of The Late Late Show. The bishop took exception when a woman told the host Gay Byrne that she didn't wear a nightie on her wedding night.
• March 6 - A memorial is to be opened at Kilmichael, County Cork to commemorate the 1920 ambush there.
• March 8 - Nelson's Pillar in O'Connel Street is blown up.
• March 31 - The flag flown over the GPO in 1916 is handed back by the British to An Taoiseach Sean Lemass in London.
• April 1 - Author and satirist Brian O'Nolan (Flann O'Brien) dies.
• April 10 - Celebrations take place to mark the 50th anniversary of the Easter Rising. Nine hundred 1916 survivors hear the reading of the Proclamation. President de Valera takes the salute at a military parade.
• April 11 - President de Valera opens the Garden of Rememberence in Dublin's Parnell Square.
• April 17 - In Belfast the Easter Rising is commemorated by large Republican parades.
• June 2 - Eamon de Valera is re-elected President of Ireland. He defeats Tom O'Higgins by 10,500.
• June 25 - President de Valera is inaugurated for a second term.
• July 7 - The Minister for Education, Donagh O'Malley, announces details of his free seconadary education scheme.
• July 18 - Exactly fifteen years after being burned down the new Abbey Theatre opens.
• October 21 - An anti-apartheid demonstartion takes place outside the National stadium as the South African Amateur Boxing Team visit.
• November 8 - Tributes are paid to Sean Lemass who announces his resignation as Taoiseach.
• November 10 - The new Taoiseach, Jack Lynch, and his ministers receive their seals of office from President de Valera at Áras an Uachtaráin.
• November 25 - The body of Seán T. O'Kelly, fourth President of Ireland, lies in state at the Pro-Cathedral.

Arts and literature

Sports

Births

• October 6 - Niall Quinn, former International footballer.
• December 8 - Sinéad O'Connor, singer and song writer.
• December 16 - Paul McGinley, golfer.

Deaths

• March 10 - Frank O'Connor, author.
• April 1 - Brian O'Nolan, satirist and humourist.
• November 23 - Seán T. Ó Ceallaigh, Second President of Ireland and former Tánaiste.