Reeling in the Years

Charles Haughey takes centre stage at his first Ard Fheis as Taoiseach and leader of Fianna Fail. Hundreds of thousands of PAYE workers march to demand tax reform. It is the biggest demonstration of organised labour in the history of the Irish state. A Dublin court cancels a Boomtown Rats concert because of fears for crowd safety. Singer Bob Geldof rejects the court's decision. The battle goes on for two weeks. The Rats finally play at Leixlip Castle to fourteen thousand fans.....Bob Geldof claims victory. Afghanistan: as the Soviet military occupation continues, US President Carter puts on the pressure. The Moscow Olympic Games are threatened... ...but the International Olympic Committee stands firm. The USA and several other Western nations boycott the Moscow Olympic Games. Eurovision Song Contest: Johnny Logan wins for Ireland with Shay Healy's "What's Another Year?" Derrynaflan: using a metal detector, an amateur archaeologist discovers an eighth century chalice. Irish Television has a new star: Dermot Morgan is 'Father Trendy'. British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher flies in for a series of Anglo-Irish talks, described jointly as 'extremely constructive and significant'. London: The SAS end a six- day siege of the Iranian Embassy. They kill four terrorists and free nineteen hostages. The Middle East. An attempted US military rescue of American hostages in Iran ends in disaster. The region grows more unstable as war breaks out between Iran and Iraq. El Salvador: Archbishop Oscar Romero is murdered. He has been an outspoken defender of human rights. His funeral becomes a scene of carnage: 40 people die and 200 are injured. Ireland gets a new drama series and a new sex symbol. Gabriel Byrne wins a Jacob's Award, as do Mick Lally, Marian Finucane and Mike Murphy. But 1980's biggest TV question is: "Who Shot JR?" (Answer: Kirsten, Sue-Ellen's sister) Poland: The workers unite against the Communist government. Lech Walesa le

Ronald Reagan is sworn in as President of the U.S.....there are celebrations in his ancestral birthplace in Ballyporeen, County Tipperary. The Stardust Club, Dublin: A St. Valentine's disco turns to tragedy. 44 young people die. Politicians and the public unite in protest when the IRFU announce plans to tour South Africa. Petitions are presented and vigils are held, but the tour goes ahead anyway. Doireann Ni Bhriain presents the Eurovision Song Contest from the RDS in Dublin. Sheeba sing "Horoscopes" for Ireland. The contest is won by Great Britain's Buck's Fizz. Republican prisoners in the H Blocks go on hunger strike to demand political status. Bobby Sands leads the hunger strike and is elected MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone. Support grows across Ireland for the hunger strikers. When Sands dies in March, tens of thousands attend his funeral. There is widespread rioting. The hunger strike continues. An Aer Lingus jet is hijacked en route from Dublin to London. Minister for Transport Albert Reynolds briefs the press .The hijacker demands the publication of the Third Secret of Fatima. The politicians go on tour in the 1981 General Election campaign. The main issues are the depressed economy and Northern Ireland. Charles Haughey makes a prediction on the future of the North. The 22nd Dail meets on June 30. Garret Fitzgerald leads a Coalition government with Michael O'Leary, the new Labour leader. They rely on the support of Independents. The government will last 8 months. Prince Charles marries Lady Diana Spencer in St. Paul's Cathedral, London. Gardai prevent a H Block protest march from reaching the British Embassy. A vicious riot ensues. Kieran Doherty becomes the eighth hunger striker to die. He was one of two H Block prisoners elected to the Dail. The hunger strike is called off in October. Ten hunger strikers have died. The prisoners are eventually granted their demands. 1981 is a year of assasination attempts. President R

Ireland freezes in January. It is the worst winter weather for fifty years. Finance Minister John Bruton delivers a controversial Budget. Independent TDs hold the balance of power. The Fine Gael - Labour Government collapses and a general election is called. As Ireland heads for another hung Dail, Charles Haughey survives a leadership challenge and becomes Taoiseach. Independent TD Tony Gregory trades his vote in a deal worth £90m to Dublin's inner city. Gay Byrne is the victim of Mike Murphy's Candid Camera. Poland is a country under martial law. The government bans the 'Solidarity' trade union. The workers remain defiant. Their leader Lech Walesa is freed from detention. Ollie Campbell kicks Ireland to victory against Scotland and Ireland win the Triple Crown for the first time in 33 years. Argentine troops invade the islands they call 'Malvinas'. When diplomatic moves fail, a British battle fleet sails 8,000 miles. A bloody campaign begins. The fighting ends on June 14 when British troops retake Port Stanley. 255 Britons and 652 Argentinians have died. Belfast's De Lorean car plant closes. Owner John DeLorean is arrested on drugs charges. After £80 million in British Government aid, 1500 jobs are lost. The IRA take their war to London. 'No warning' bombs target an army band and a Horseguards display . Eight people die. A young nurse is brutally murdered in the Phoenix Park. On July 25, a Co. Offaly farmer is also murdered. Three weeks later, Malcolm MacArthur is charged with murder. He was arrested at the home of the Attorney General, Patrick Connolly. Although he is not implicated in the murders, the AG resigns. McArthur is later convicted of murder. The Taoiseach defends his handling of the affair. Fianna Fail debates a motion of no confidence in the Taoiseach, Charles Haughey. His opponents want a secret ballot. Charles Haughey wins an open vote by 58 to 22. In November, the government loses a vote of confidence and the co

Industrial unrest and factory closures dominate the news. Jobs are lost when Ranks closes. Dunlops leave Cork after 48 years. 680 workers lose their jobs. The public mood is gloomy. The new government dishes the dirt on the old one. Fianna Fail ministers were involved in 'bugging' conversations and in 'tapping' journalists' phones. The scandal brings a series of resignations but Charles Haughey survives as party leader. Ballymany Stud Farm, Co. Kildare: the champion racehorse 'Shergar' is kidnapped. Despite a nationwide search, 'Shergar' is never found. After the kidnap of businessman Don Tidey, a soldier and Garda officer are killed in a shootout. Don Tidey is rescued unharmed. RTÉ screens the first episode of a new series "Glenroe". Starring Mick Lally and Joe Lynch as Dinny and Miley Byrne, it takes up where "Bracken" left off. World Athletics Championships, 14 August 1983: Eamonn Coghlan wins the 5000m final. The US pursues a 'get tough' policy in Central America. In Nicaragua, the US backs the right-wing 'Contra' rebels against the ruling 'Sandinista' government. Grenada, 27 October 1983 . After the murder of Premier Maurice Bishop, American troops invade the island . The US claims that Cuba was planning a military base there. A constitutional amendment on abortion provokes fierce debate. Critics say the amendment's wording is sectarian. Anti-abortion campaigners say the new law is necessary. The campaign is divisive and sometimes bitter. The amendment is carried by 841,233 votes to 416,136. The Divorce Action Group launches a campaign for constitutional change in Ireland. Nuclear arms talks are deadlocked. President Reagan unveils his 'Star Wars' plan to create a defensive 'missile shield' in the sky. The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament gets underway . The women of Greenham Common in England fail to stop the delivery of Cruise missiles. All-Ireland Football Final: Dublin and Galway battle it out. A 12-man Dublin team beats 14

President and Nancy Reagan come to Ireland on a four-day official visit. Thousands demonstrate against US foreign policy as the President addresses Dáil Éireann. The Colin McStay Appeal gets a huge response. £100,000 is the target sum: within a week, £200,000 is raised. Colin McStay travels to the United States. His operation is a success. Britain's coal industry grinds to a halt as miners fight cutbacks and pit closures. The New Ireland Forum report is published. At an Anglo-Irish summit six months later, the British Prime Minister is not impressed. Prisoner Nicky Kelly is freed on 'humanitarian grounds'. Campaigners claim he was the victim of a miscarriage of justice. In Dublin, hard drugs like heroin become more easily available. Heroin devastates Dublin's inner-city communities. There are an estimated 4,500 users in the city. A 17 year-old Irishman dreams of soccer glory. Niall Quinn joins Arsenal as an apprentice. Despite a boycott by several Communist countries, the 1984 Olympic Games go ahead. John Treacy takes silver in the marathon. Music Television comes to Ireland with Vincent Hanley and 'MT USA'. PW Botha is South Africa's new President. Even though there are elections and a new constitution, black people still have no voting rights. A Dunnes Stores worker refuses to handle South African goods. When she is suspended, her colleagues go on strike. A chemical factory leak in Bhopal, India kills over 2,000 people. India also mourns a lost leader when Prime Minister Indira Gandhi is assassinated. In the Philippines, an Irish missionary priest provokes the Marcos government by continually defending the rights of his parishioners. In an effort to suppress him, the authorities charge him with murder. After five months in custody, Fr Niall O'Brien is released. The IRA bomb a hotel at the Tory party conference in an attempt to assassinate most of the British cabinet. Four people die. Charles Mitchel, Telefis Éirean

Schoolchildren claim to have seen a 'moving' statue in Asdee, Co. Kerry. Other reports come from Ballinspittle, Co. Cork. The faithful claim a miraculous event. Sceptics say it is an optical illusion. Ireland beat Scotland at Murrayfield. Wales at Cardiff. England at Lansdowne Road.... and win the 1985 Triple Crown. An Air India Boeing 747 crashes into the Atlantic. A terrorist bomb is the suspected cause. All 329 people on board are killed. Dozens of soccer supporters are crushed to death when Liverpool fans riot at Heysel Stadium in Brussels. The European Cup Final is a disaster. Pressure grows for divorce legislation but the government defers a referendum until next year. After the death of Konstantin Chernenko, Mikhail Gorbachev becomes Party leader. His policy of 'glasnost' (openness) brings change to the Soviet Union. Although the USA pursues its 'Star Wars' plans, relations improve between the superpowers. Barry McGuigan becomes World Featherweight champion. Monaghan cheers on the 'Clones Cyclone'. 13 July 1985 is a day to remember. Bob Geldof organises Live Aid at Wembley. Ireland is the highest 'per capita' donor. Ireland gets a new political party with the formation of the Progressive Democrats. New Zealand: French secret agents blow up a Greenpeace ship.One crew member is killed. France admits its agents acted 'under orders' but continues its nuclear tests anyway. The Anglo-Irish Agreement is signed on 15 November. The Republic gets a formal role in the North's affairs. Unionists unite to say 'No'. They pledge to bring down the Agreement. Spike Island: the government transforms a naval base into a prison for 'joyriding' offenders. The prison is wrecked in a riot. 20,000 teachers attend a rally in Croke Park. They demand a 10 per cent pay award. A clampdown on casual trading brings Dublin's street traders out in force. Playlist: Eurythmics: There Must Be An Angel The Concerned: Show Some Concern Simple Min

1986 is a year of Unionist opposition to the recent Anglo-Irish Agreement. 1986 is also the year of the 'Challenger' disaster. Seven people die on board the space shuttle. At Chernobyl in the Soviet Union, a nuclear reactor explodes. It is the world's worst civil nuclear disaster. As the Lebanese civil war worsens, Belfastman Brian Keenan is kidnapped. He will spend four years as a hostage. Hurricane 'Charlie' reaches Ireland in August. The East and Southeast are worst hit. Claims of misconduct are made against John Stalker. He is removed from his two-year investigation into an alleged RUC 'shoot to kill' policy. Rubbish piles up in Dublin's streets as Corporation workers go on strike. When the Army are sent in to clear the rubbish, the dispute turns nasty. The Irish Sweepstakes closes after 56 years. A new National Lottery will begin next year. London, 23 July 1986: Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew are married. The 'Self Aid' telethon highlights unemployment as the jobless figure reaches 250,000. The Kowloon Bridge tanker runs aground off the County Cork Coast. Ireland goes to the polls over proposals to introduce divorce. Voters reject divorce by 935,844 to 538,279. At the RDS in Dublin Barry McGuigan fights Danilo Cabrera. With the help of manager Barney Eastwood, the 'Clones Cyclone' retains his world title, although he will lose it later in the year. Evelyn Glenholmes is released from court as British extradition warrants are deemed defective. She is wanted for questioning on an IRA bomb campaign. Gardai follow her through the streets. One detective fires shots into the air. Despite the efforts of Republican supporters, Evelyn Glenholmes is re-arrested. A new airline opens for business: Ryanair cuts fares on flights to Britain. Another generation turns its back on Ireland. Thousands of young people emigrate. At the U.S. Embassy in Dublin, visa applications rise by 25 per cent . 30,000 people emigrate in 1986. Play

The Fine Gael - Labour coalition collapses. Budget cuts are the main election issue. The new Progressive Democrat party wins 14 seats but Fianna Fail still return to power. Charles Haughey becomes Taoiseach by one Dail vote. Tony Gregory + Bertie Ahern. Garret FitzGerald resigns as leader of Fine Gael. He is replaced by Alan Dukes. In Britain, Margaret Thatcher is re-elected for a record-breaking third successive term. 1987 is also the year of 'Black Monday'. World financial markets suffer huge losses. In New York, share values fall 22% in one day. Eurovision Song Contest: Johnny Logan wins with 'Hold Me Now'. He is the first person ever to win two Eurovisions. A hard-hitting Budget closes several State agencies. 1,000 jobs are threatened at B & I Line. Hospital closures and the prospect of 2,000 job losses provoke an angry response from health workers. In Antarctica, scientists discover a huge hole in the ozone layer. After an illegal border incursion at Clontibret the previous year, Peter Robinson of the DUP pays a brief visit to the Republic's jails. The 'Irangate' and 'Contragate' revelations put President Reagan under pressure.The man at the centre of the investigation becomes a new American hero: his name is Oliver North. In the European Championship qualifying games, Ireland beat Scotland 1-0. Under Jack Charlton's management, Ireland qualify for a major Finals for the first time ever. Loughgall: as an IRA unit attacks an RUC base, British security forces launch an ambush. Eight IRA men and an innocent civilian are killed. After nineteen reported cases of AIDS in Ireland, the government launches an awareness campaign. 1987 is a remarkable year for cyclist Stephen Roche. He wins the Giro d'Italia and the World Championship. He is also the first Irish winner of the Tour de France. A 'Gay Byrne Radio Show' experiment sends Gerry Ryan and a team of volunteers into the wild. Did these desperate 'survivors' really kill a lamb

A 70ft giant is washed up in Dublin Bay. Jonathan Swift's 'Gulliver' visits Dublin for the city's Millennium celebrations. Eurovision: Pat Kenny and Michelle Rocca host a cliffhanger. Switzerland win by one point with an unknown singer called Celine Dion. After the Stalker-Sampson 'shoot to kill' inquiry, the British government announces that no RUC officers will be prosecuted. London: the Court of Appeal rejects a plea by the Birmingham Six. Controversial talks begin between Sinn Fein and the SDLP. John Hume defends his actions. On the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Palestinian uprising is called 'intifada'. The Israelis crack down - hard. Gibraltar: 7 March 1988: An SAS unit kills three unarmed IRA members. There are more claims of a 'shoot to kill' policy, although the IRA admits its members were on 'active service'. Ten days later, a loyalist gunman attacks the IRA funeral. Three people die, fifty people are injured. As one of those victims is buried, two British soldiers drive into the cortege. The men are beaten, then stripped and shot by the IRA. Jack Charlton leads Ireland to Germany in the 1988 European Championships. Ireland beat England and draw with the Soviet Union. Holland destroy the Irish dream and go on to win the Championship. Budget cuts hit the health services. 170,000 people avail of a tax amnesty. The government gets £500 million. Ireland's soccer heroes come home to a remarkable reception. France secures the release of its hostages in Beirut. Briton John McCarthy is still held. Belfast's Brian Keenan spends his 900th day in captivity. President Gorbachev continues his reforms. The Soviet Union and the USA sign a historic treaty reducing the numbers of nuclear weapons. The 1988 Olympics open in Seoul, South Korea. Ben Johnson is the fastest man in the world . Johnson fails a drugs test and returns home in disgrace. In the US presidential race, George Bush chooses Dan Quayle as his running mate. The Bus

The 25th Dail is dissolved and a general election is called. The election result is inconclusive. As Ireland heads for another hung Dail, Fianna Fail begins talks with the Progressive Democrats. Charles Haughey leads Fianna Fail into coalition. 1989 sees the launch of Century Radio. Plans are also announced for a third TV channel. TV3 intends to be on the air within a year. M1 Motorway, Kegworth, England: A British Midland plane en route to Belfast crashes near East Midlands Airport. 44 people die. Cork beat Mayo in the football final. Tipperary beat Antrim in the hurling. Mikhail Gorbachev stops over at Shannon for a brief summit meeting. Gorbachev brings sweeping reform to the Soviet Union and opens a new dialogue with the West. Soviet forces also pull out of Afghanistan. South Africa: The 'apartheid' system begins to fall apart as the ANC grows in strength.Some ANC leaders are released, but Nelson Mandela remains in prison. Army wives come out in protest. They seek better pay and conditions. Hillsborough Stadium, April 1989; an FA Cup semi-final turns into disaster. The final death toll is 96: Anfield in Liverpool becomes a shrine. The Forty Foot, Sandycove: Dublin women take over a male stronghold. Iran orders the death of Salman Rushdie for blasphemy in his 'Satanic Verses' book. Iran's Ayatollah Khomeini dies later in 1989. Over two million Iranians mourn their leader. Tianamen Square, Beijing: Chinese students defy the Communist regime. They demand social and political reform. The Chinese authorities brutally crush the protest. 20 October 1989: After 14 years in prison, the Guildford Four are freed. Daniel Day-Lewis stars as Christy Brown in the film 'My Left Foot'. Ireland beat Hungary, Northern Ireland and Malta - qualifying for the World Cup Finals for the first time ever. Prague, Czechoslovakia: The people celebrate the fall of Communism and the return of leader Alexander Dubcek. Communism also collapses in Po