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Events
- January 2 - The lowest temperature recorded in Ireland in the 20th century, -18.8C (-1.8F) at Lullymore, Co. Kildare. See 1881 for the lowest on record [1].
- January 8 - Fifty are killed when an explosion destroys the French oil tanker Betelgeuse off Whiddy Island.
- February 17 - Twelve people are killed in the La Mon Restaurant Bombing.
- March 4 - Legendary hurler Christy Ring is buried in Cork.
- March 9 - PAYE workers across the country take to the streets to protest against the tax system.
- March 20 - A huge anti-PAYE demonstration is held in Dublin.
- March 30 - The Republic of Ireland ends its pound's parity with sterling.
- April 12 - Patrick McGilligan, the last surviving member of the first government celebrates his 90th birthday in Dublin.
- May 10 - Petrol shortages due to crisis in the Middle East cause long delays in Ireland.
- June 2 - Protesters opposed to the building of civic offices on the site of Viking excavations in Wood Quay occupy the area.
- June 15 - Aer Lingus's first female pilot, Gráinne Cronin, gets her wings.
- July 14 - In Crossmaglen, County Armagh, Gaelic Athletic Association supporters parade silently in protest against the British Army's commandeering of part of the local football pitch. Former Gaelic Athletic Association president Con Murphy addresses the crowd.
- August 9 - The first group of Vietnamese refugees arrives in Ireland.
- August 27 - Lord Mountbatten, his 15-year-old son grandson and 15-year-old Paul Maxwell are killed in an explosion on his boat in County Sligo. On the same day, the IRA blow up 18 British soldiers with 2 bombs in the Warrenpoint ambush
- September 29 - Pope John Paul II arrives in Ireland for a three day visit. 1.25 million people, just over one-quarter of the population, welcome him at a special mass in the Phoenix Park. Later in the day His Holiness speaks to 200,000 people at Drogheda, County Louth. The Pope returns to Dublin in the evening where an estimated 750,000 people witness his motorcade travel through the city.
- September 30 - Pope John Paul II addresses 285,000 people at a youth rally in Galway, before travelling to Knock, County Mayo where a further 300,000 people hear him speak. visits Clonmacnoise and Galway.
- October 1 - On the final day of his visit Pope John Paul II visits the Nunciature at Maynooth College and celebrates mass before 400,000 people in Limerick. His Holiness then leaves Shannon Airport for the United States.
- November 29 - An Taoiseach Jack Lynch greets European Economic Community heads of government as they arrive for a summit meeting at Dublin Castle.
- December 5 - Jack Lynch announces his resignation as Taoiseach and leader of Fianna Fáil. He has led the party for 13 years spending 9 years as Taoiseach.
- December 7 - Charles Haughey is elected leader of the Fianna Fáil Party.
- December 11 - Charles Haughey is elected Taoiseach by Dáil Éireann.
- December 31 - 1979 is the worst year ever for industrial disputes in Ireland. Industrial disputes cost the economy over 1,460,000 working days this year.
Arts and literature
Sport
Athletics
- John Treacy wins the world cross-country championship for the second time .
Golf
Births
January to June
- 14 January - Richard Sadlier, soccer player.
- 21 January - Brian O'Driscoll, captain of the Irish rugby union national team and captain of the British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand in 2005.
- 25 January - Ben O'Connor, Cork hurler.
- 25 January - Jerry O'Connor, Cork hurler.
- 2 March - Damien Duff, footballer.
- 14 March - Gary Duggan, playwright.
- 6 April - Michael Kavanagh, Kilkenny hurler.
- 13 April - Tony Lundon, Irish dancer and singer.
- 4 May - Georgina Ahern, daughter of Bertie Ahern.
- 9 May - Barry Quinn, soccer player.
- 14 May - Ruby Walsh, National Hunt jockey.
- 15 May - Mary Goode, hockey player.
- 18 May - Justin Sheriff, hockey player.
- 30 May - Colm Foley, soccer player.
- 13 June - Alan Quinn, soccer player.
- 16 June - Declan O'Brien, soccer player.
July to December
- 5 July - Shane Filan, lead singer with Westlife.
- 31 July - Damien Lynch, soccer player.
- 1 September - James O'Connor, soccer player.
- 1 September - Neil Ronan, Cork hurler.
- 16 September - Barry Geraghty, jockey.
- 21 September - Richard Dunne, soccer player.
- 20 October - Paul O'Connell, international rugby player.
- 1 November - Henry Shefflin, Kilkenny hurling player.
- 9 November - Thos Foley, slalom skier.
- 12 November - Cian O'Connor, equestrian.
- 20 December - Niall James Holohan, musician
- 25 November - David Freeman, soccer player.
- 31 December - Elaine Cassidy, actress.
Full date unknown
- Robin Banks, television presenter and radio DJ.
- Aideen Barry, multimedia and performance artist.
- Brian Begley, Limerick hurler.
- Jimmy Coogan, Kilkenny hurler.
- Conor Cusack, Cork hurler.
- Pearse Doherty, Sinn Féin Senator.
- Bryan MacDonald, playwright and journalist.
- Mickey O'Connell, Cork hurler.
- Kieran O'Connor, Cork Gaelic footballer.
- Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh, fiddle player.
- Síle Seoige, television presenter.
Deaths
January to June
July to December
Full date unknown
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