1987 in Ireland - Definition and Overview

See also: 1986 in Ireland, other events of 1987, 1988 in Ireland and the list of 'years in Ireland'.

Events

• January 20 - Labour ministers resign from the government over a disagreement over budget proposals.
• February 19 - A general election returns a Fianna Fáil minority government with Charles Haughey as Taoiseach.
• March 11 - Former Taoiseach Dr. Garret FitzGerald resigns the leadership of Fine Gael. He is succeeded by Alan Dukes.
• March 22 - The National Lottery is launched.
• May 8 - The SAS kills 8 IRA members and a civilian at Loughgall, County Tyrone.
• May 9 - Johnny Logan of Ireland wins the Eurovision Song Contest for a second time with the song 'Hold Me Now.'
• May 26 - Voters go to the poll in the referendum on the Single European Act. Nearly 70% vote in favour of the 10th amendment to the constitution.
• July 26 - Stephen Roche wins the Tour de France.
• November 8 - 11 civilians are killed in an explosion during a Remembrance Day service in Enniskillen.
• November 10 - The funeral takes place in Dublin of the broadcaster Eamonn Andrews.

Arts and literature

Sports

• September 6 - Stephen Roche completes a remarkable treble by winning the Giro d'Italia, the Tour de France and the World Championship.

Births

Deaths

• January 2 - Roger McHugh, professor, author and playwright.
• January 14 - Ewart Milne, poet.
• April 8 - Kevin McNamara, Archbishop of Dublin.
• April 19 - Cornelius Cremin, diplomat.
• April 23 - Oliver J. Flanagan, former Fine Gael TD and Cabinet Minister.
• May 13 - Richard Ellmann, Professor of English at Oxford.
• May 17 - Liam Miller, publisher.
• October 29 - Monk Gibbon, man of letters and teacher.
• November 5 - Eamonn Andrews, broadcaster.
• November 25 - James McDyer, Roman Catholic priest and community leader.
• December 29 - Francis Llewellyn Harrison, musicoligist.