See also:
1985 in Ireland,
other events of 1986,
1987 in Ireland and the
list of 'years in Ireland'.
Events
- January 2 - The national offices of the Progressive Democrats are officially opened.
- January 4 - Phil Lynott, lead singer with Thin Lizzy, dies aged 35.
- February 11 - Ireland's new soccer team manager, Jack Charlton, arrives in Dublin.
- March 18 - Irish citizenship is conferred on Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tip O'Neill, for inspiring constitutional nationalists to launch a new initiative for a new Ireland.
- March 31 - President Hillery and Mrs. Hillery start a four-day official visit to Austria. This is the first-ever official visit there by an Irish head of state.
- May 6 - The Divorce Action Group launches its campaign for the forthcoming referendum.
- May 30 - Knock Airport, County Mayo is officially opened.
- June 6 - John Stalker is removed from the 'shoot to kill' inquiry.
- June 12 - Two giant pandas, Ming Ming and Ping Ping, arrive at Dublin zoo.
- June 21 - An anti-divorce rally takes place in Dublin.
- June 27 - Across the country counting begins in the Divorce Referendum. Tallymen predict a strong 'no' vote.
- August 7 - The deputy-leader of the DUP, Peter Robinson MP, is arrested as a loyalist mob vandilises a garda barracks in County Monaghan.
- December 25 - Dublin Airport opens for the first time on Christmas Day.
- December 31 - At the United States Embassy in Dublin, visa applications rise by 25%. 30,000 people emigrate during 1986.
Arts and literature
Sports
- Joey Dunlop wins the Formula One motorcycle world championship for the fifth time in a row
- The Northern Ireland football team plays in the World Cup Finals in Mexico, reaching the second round
Births
Deaths
