1996 in Ireland - Definition and Overview

See also: 1995 in Ireland, other events of 1996, 1997 in Ireland and the list of 'years in Ireland'.

Events

• January 24 - The international body proposes six principles of democracy and non-violence ('the Mitchell principles') as conditions for entry to all-party talks in Northern Ireland.
• February 5 - The FAI appoint Mick McCarthy as the Republic of Irelands soccer team manager.
• February 9 - The IRA ends its ceasefire by exploding a huge bomb at Canary Wharf in London.
• March 11 - The Hepatitis Tribunal opens in Dublin.
• May 18 - Ireland wins the Eurovision Song Contest for the seventh time with the song The Voice.
• June 6 - President Mary Robinson meets Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace, London.
• June 7 - Detective Garda Jerry McCabe is shot dead by the IRA in Adare, County Limerick.
• June 26 - Crime reporter Veronica Guerin is shot in her car in Dublin.
• November 6 - The Michael Collins film is shown in Dublin and Cork.
• November 25 - Micheál Ó Hehir, broadcaster and sports commentator, dies aged 76.
• November 29 - It is revealed that Dunnes Stores paid £208,000 for an extension to Minister Michael Lowry's house.
• December 13 - On the opening day of a Dublin summit, EU leaders achieve a breakthrough in the row over preparations for a single European currency.

Arts and literature

• Seamus Deane's Reading in the Dark is published.

Sports

• Olympic Games: Swimmer Michelle Smith wins three gold medals and one bronze in the Atlanta Olympics.

Births

Deaths

• January 8 - Joyce McCartan, community activist.
• February 12 - James Camlin Beckett, historian.
• February 18 - Cathal Ó Sandair, writer.
• April 22 - Molly Keane, novelist and playwright.
• April 24 - Tomás de Bhaldraithe, Irish language scholar and lexicographer.
• June 10 - Peter Raftery, diplomat.
• July 9 - Christopher Casson, actor.
• July 16 - Joe Dunn, Roman Catholic priest and broadcaster.
• August 6 - Havelock Nelson, composer and pianist.
• August 18 - Charles Mitchel, actor and Teilifís Éireann's first newsreader.
• August 25 - Erskine B. Childers, diplomat.
• November 24 - Micheál Ó Hehir, sports commentator and broadcaster.