1983 in Ireland - Definition and Overview

See also: 1982 in Ireland, other events of 1983, 1984 in Ireland and the list of 'years in Ireland'.

Events

• January 19 - The government confirm that the Gardaí were involved in the bugging of politicians and journalists telephones.
• February 8 - A motion calling for the resignation of Charles Haughey as leader fails after a 12 hour Fianna Fáil meeting.
• February 9 - The racehorse Shergar is kidnapped from Ballymany Stud, County Kildare.
• April 14 - The inaugural meeting of Aosdána, an affiliation of creative artists, takes place in the Old Parliament Building, Dublin.
• April 25 - 2,000 people demonstrate in Dublin against the proposed Pro-Life Amendment Bill.
• May 20 - The funeral takes place of former Tánaiste Frank Aiken.
• May 23 - The Bushmills Distillery in County Antrim celebrates its 350th anniversary.
• May 27 - A Mexican jet stranded for five weeks at Mallow Racecourse departs.
• May 30 - The inaugural meeting of the New Ireland Forum takes place at Dublin Castle.
• June 10 - Gerry Adams of Sinn Féin is elected the new MP for West Belfast.
• September 8 - The referendum on the constitutional amendment in relation to abortion is carried by a two to one majority.
• September 20 - Leading politicians pay tribute to former Tánaiste George Colley as he is laid to rest.
• November 25 - Quinnsworth executive Don Tidey is kidnapped outside his home in Dublin.
• December 16 - Don Tidey is rescued in County Leitrim.

Arts and literature

• Tom Murphy's The Gigli Concert is performed at the Abbey Theatre.
• Brendan Kennelly's poem sequence Cromwell is published.

Sports

• Eamonn Coghlan wins the 5000m gold medal at the World Championships in Helsinki.
• Pat Jennings become the first footballer to play in 1,000 Football League matches.

Births

• January 18 - Samantha Mumba, singer.

Deaths

• March 25 - Constantine Fitzgibbon, cookery expert and author.
• May 18 - Frank Aiken, former Tánaiste, Fianna Fáil TD and Cabinet Minister.
• September 17 - George Colley, former Tánaiste, Fianna Fáil TD and Cabinet Minister.
• December 23 - Colin Middleton, painter.
• March 15 - Dame Rebecca West, journalist.