1959 in Ireland
Encyclopedia
Events
- January 7 - Dáil ÉireannDáil ÉireannDáil Éireann is the lower house, but principal chamber, of the Oireachtas , which also includes the President of Ireland and Seanad Éireann . It is directly elected at least once in every five years under the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote...
debates a motion that Éamon de ValeraÉamon de ValeraÉamon de Valera was one of the dominant political figures in twentieth century Ireland, serving as head of government of the Irish Free State and head of government and head of state of Ireland...
's position as controlling director of the Irish Press could be regarded as incompatible with his duties as TaoiseachTaoiseachThe Taoiseach is the head of government or prime minister of Ireland. The Taoiseach is appointed by the President upon the nomination of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas , and must, in order to remain in office, retain the support of a majority in the Dáil.The current Taoiseach is...
. - January 23 - The government is considering that a Pay-As-You-Earn system of income tax should be introduced.
- February 10 - Unions vote to end the 15-year split in the Irish trade union movement. The Irish Congress of Trade UnionsIrish Congress of Trade UnionsThe Irish Congress of Trade Unions , formed in 1959 by the merger of the Irish Trade Union Congress and the Congress of Irish Unions , is a national trade union centre, the umbrella organisation to which trade unions in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland affiliate.-Influence:There...
results from the merger of the TUC and the CIU. - April 8 - Fine GaelFine GaelFine Gael is a centre-right to centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland. It is the single largest party in Ireland in the Oireachtas, in local government, and in terms of Members of the European Parliament. The party has a membership of over 35,000...
's James Dillon wants to abolish compulsory IrishIrish languageIrish , also known as Irish Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family, originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish people. Irish is now spoken as a first language by a minority of Irish people, as well as being a second language of a larger proportion of...
as he feels it is counter-productive. - June 25 - Éamon de ValeraÉamon de ValeraÉamon de Valera was one of the dominant political figures in twentieth century Ireland, serving as head of government of the Irish Free State and head of government and head of state of Ireland...
is inaugurated at Dublin CastleDublin CastleDublin Castle off Dame Street, Dublin, Ireland, was until 1922 the fortified seat of British rule in Ireland, and is now a major Irish government complex. Most of it dates from the 18th century, though a castle has stood on the site since the days of King John, the first Lord of Ireland...
as the third President of IrelandPresident of IrelandThe President of Ireland is the head of state of Ireland. The President is usually directly elected by the people for seven years, and can be elected for a maximum of two terms. The presidency is largely a ceremonial office, but the President does exercise certain limited powers with absolute...
. - July 9 - The first 12 female recruits are selected to join An Garda SíochánaGarda Síochána, more commonly referred to as the Gardaí , is the police force of Ireland. The service is headed by the Commissioner who is appointed by the Irish Government. Its headquarters are located in the Phoenix Park in Dublin.- Terminology :...
. - July 29 - The new Department of Transport and PowerDepartment of Transport (Ireland)The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport is a department of the Government of Ireland that is responsible for transport policy and overseeing transport services and infrastructure. The Department is led by the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport who is assisted by two Ministers of State...
is established. Erskine H. ChildersErskine Hamilton ChildersErskine Hamilton Childers served as the fourth President of Ireland from 1973 until his death in 1974. He was a Teachta Dála from 1938 until 1973...
is the first Minister. - September 22 - At its inaugural conference the Irish Congress of Trade UnionsIrish Congress of Trade UnionsThe Irish Congress of Trade Unions , formed in 1959 by the merger of the Irish Trade Union Congress and the Congress of Irish Unions , is a national trade union centre, the umbrella organisation to which trade unions in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland affiliate.-Influence:There...
attacks the government of Northern IrelandNorthern IrelandNorthern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
for not recognising the new organisation. - October 4 - Three men collapse and die at Croke ParkCroke ParkCroke Park in Dublin is the principal stadium and headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association , Ireland's biggest sporting organisation...
during the All-Ireland Hurling Final Replay. - October 21 - James Dillon is elected leader of the Fine GaelFine GaelFine Gael is a centre-right to centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland. It is the single largest party in Ireland in the Oireachtas, in local government, and in terms of Members of the European Parliament. The party has a membership of over 35,000...
Party. He replaces Richard MulcahyRichard MulcahyRichard James Mulcahy was an Irish politician, army general and commander in chief, leader of Fine Gael and Cabinet Minister...
as leader and John A. CostelloJohn A. CostelloJohn Aloysius Costello , a successful barrister, was one of the main legal advisors to the government of the Irish Free State after independence, Attorney General of Ireland from 1926–1932 and Taoiseach from 1948–1951 and 1954–1957....
as parliamentary leader. - December 4 - Twelve new female members of An Garda SíochánaGarda Síochána, more commonly referred to as the Gardaí , is the police force of Ireland. The service is headed by the Commissioner who is appointed by the Irish Government. Its headquarters are located in the Phoenix Park in Dublin.- Terminology :...
, known as bhanghardaí, pass out of the training depot in the Phoenix ParkPhoenix ParkPhoenix Park is an urban park in Dublin, Ireland, lying 2–4 km west of the city centre, north of the River Liffey. Its 16 km perimeter wall encloses , one of the largest walled city parks in Europe. It includes large areas of grassland and tree-lined avenues, and since the seventeenth...
.
Arts and literature
- The film of Mise ÉireMise ÉireMise Éire is a 1912 Irish-language poem by the Irish poet and Republican revolutionary leader Patrick Pearse. In the poem, Pearse personifies Ireland as an old woman whose glory is past and who has been sold by her children. The poem inspired a 1959 film of the same name by George Morrison and a...
, made by George MorrisonGeorge Morrison (documentary maker)George Morrison is an Irish director of film documentaries. His works include Mise Éire and Saoirse?.Morrison was born in Tramore, Co. Waterford. His mother was an actress at Dublin's Gate Theatre, while his father worked as a neurological anaesthetist...
with music by Seán Ó RiadaSeán Ó RiadaSeán Ó Riada , was a composer and perhaps the single most influential figure in the revival of Irish traditional music during the 1960s...
for Gael LinnGael LinnGael Linn is an organization devoted to the Irish language and arts.It is a non-governmental, non-profit organization, founded in 1953 to foster the Irish language and promote artistic events. On the business side, they run the Gael-Linn Records record label, which is partly funded by the Irish...
, is premiered at the Cork Film FestivalCork Film FestivalThe Cork Film Festival is a film festival held annually in Cork City, Ireland. It was established in 1956 and has grown to be an internationally recognised festival, particularly in the area of short films....
, the first feature-length Irish languageIrish languageIrish , also known as Irish Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family, originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish people. Irish is now spoken as a first language by a minority of Irish people, as well as being a second language of a larger proportion of...
film.
FootballFootball (soccer)Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
- St Patrick's Athletic won the FAI CupFAI CupThe Football Association of Ireland Challenge Cup, known as the FAI Ford Cup for sponsorship reasons, is a knock-out association football competition contested annually by teams from the Republic of Ireland...
- Shamrock Rovers won the League of IrelandLeague of IrelandThe League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
January to June
- 20 February - Patrick Walker, soccer player and manager.
- 22 February - Matthew DwyerMatthew DwyerMatthew Damian Dwyer is a former Irish cricketer.A left-handed batsman and slow left-arm bowler, he was very much a late starter as far as international cricket is concerned, making his debut for the Ireland cricket team at the age of 39 against Glamorgan in May 1998...
, cricketer. - 21 March - Rachel AllenRachel AllenRachel Allen is an Irish celebrity chef, known most widely for her work on television and as a writer.-Career as chef:...
, celebrity chef. - 21 May - Brian LenihanBrian Lenihan, JnrBrian Joseph Lenihan was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician and barrister who served in the government of Ireland as Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform from 2007 to 2008 and as Minister for Finance from 2008 to 2011...
, Fianna FáilFianna FáilFianna Fáil – The Republican Party , more commonly known as Fianna Fáil is a centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland, founded on 23 March 1926. Fianna Fáil's name is traditionally translated into English as Soldiers of Destiny, although a more accurate rendition would be Warriors of Fál...
TDTeachta DálaA Teachta Dála , usually abbreviated as TD in English, is a member of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas . It is the equivalent of terms such as "Member of Parliament" or "deputy" used in other states. The official translation of the term is "Deputy to the Dáil", though a more literal...
for Dublin West and Minister for FinanceMinister for Finance (Ireland)The Minister for Finance is the title held by the Irish government minister responsible for all financial and monetary matters. The office-holder controls the Department of Finance and is considered one of the most important members of the Government of Ireland.The current Minister for Finance is...
. (d 2011) - 2 June - Gerry HannanGerry HannanGerry Hannan is a Limerick-based broadcaster and author. Best known for his criticism of fellow Limerick author, Frank McCourt, on The Late Late Show. Hannan claimed McCourt's Angela's Ashes was riddled with no less than 117 inaccuracies...
, broadcaster and writer. - 13 June - Mairead McGuinnessMairead McGuinnessMairead McGuinness is an Irish politician and Member of the European Parliament for the East constituency. She is a member of Fine Gael, part of the European People's Party.-Education and media career:...
, journalist, Member of the European ParliamentMember of the European ParliamentA Member of the European Parliament is a person who has been elected to the European Parliament. The name of MEPs differ in different languages, with terms such as europarliamentarian or eurodeputy being common in Romance language-speaking areas.When the European Parliament was first established,...
for the East constituency. - 13 June - Mary WallaceMary WallaceMary Wallace is a former Irish Fianna Fáil politician. She served as a Teachta Dála for the Meath and Meath East constituencies from 1989 to 2011.Wallace was born in County Dublin in 1959...
, Fianna FáilFianna FáilFianna Fáil – The Republican Party , more commonly known as Fianna Fáil is a centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland, founded on 23 March 1926. Fianna Fáil's name is traditionally translated into English as Soldiers of Destiny, although a more accurate rendition would be Warriors of Fál...
TDTeachta DálaA Teachta Dála , usually abbreviated as TD in English, is a member of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas . It is the equivalent of terms such as "Member of Parliament" or "deputy" used in other states. The official translation of the term is "Deputy to the Dáil", though a more literal...
for Meath East and Minister of StateMinister of State (Ireland)A Minister of State in Ireland is of non-Cabinet rank, attached to one or more Departments of State of the Government of Ireland....
at the Department of Agriculture and Food.
July to December
- 4 August - John GormleyJohn GormleyJohn Gormley is an Irish politician. He was the leader of the Irish Green Party from 2007 to 2011, and was a Teachta Dála for the Dublin South East constituency from 1997 to 2011. He served as Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government from 2007–11...
, former leader of the Green PartyGreen Party (Ireland)The Green Party is a green political party in Ireland. It was founded as the Ecology Party of Ireland in 1981 by Dublin teacher Christopher Fettes. The party became the Green Alliance in 1983 and in 1987 was renamed to its current title in English...
, Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and TDTeachta DálaA Teachta Dála , usually abbreviated as TD in English, is a member of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas . It is the equivalent of terms such as "Member of Parliament" or "deputy" used in other states. The official translation of the term is "Deputy to the Dáil", though a more literal...
for Dublin South EastDublin South East (Dáil Éireann constituency)Dublin South–East is a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The constituency elects 4 deputies...
. - 28 August - Lorcan CranitchLorcan CranitchLorcan Cranitch is an Irish actor.Born in Dublin, Cranitch became involved in drama while a student, and moved to London where he entered RADA in 1980. His first major role on British television was as Tim Healy in the 1991 BBC drama series, Parnell and the Englishwoman...
, actor. - 1 October - Billy TimminsBilly TimminsBilly Timmins is an Irish Fine Gael politician. He is currently a Teachta Dála for the Wicklow constituency.Timmins was born in Baltinglass, County Wicklow. He was educated at Patrician College, Ballyfin, County Laois; and University College Galway where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in...
, Fine Gael TD. - 8 October - Gavin FridayGavin FridayGavin Friday is an Irish singer and songwriter, composer, actor and painter.-Career:Gavin was born in Dublin and grew up in Finglas, a neighbourhood located on Dublin's Northside...
, singer, songwriter, composer and painter. - 20 October - Niamh CusackNiamh CusackNiamh Cusack is an Irish actress. The daughter of late Irish actor Cyril Cusack, she is the sister of Sinéad Cusack and Sorcha Cusack, and half sister of Catherine Cusack. Cusack played Dr Kate Rowan in the television drama series Heartbeat...
, actress. - 7 November - John AndersonJohn Anderson (Irish footballer)John Christopher Patrick Anderson is a former Irish international footballer who played as a defender. His clubs included West Bromwich Albion, Preston North End and Newcastle United.-Club career:...
, soccer player. - 28 November - Stephen RocheStephen RocheStephen Roche is a retired professional road racing cyclist. In a 13-year professional career, he peaked in 1987, becoming only the second cyclist to win the Triple Crown of victories in the Tour de France and the Giro d'Italia stage races, plus the World road race championship...
, road racing cyclist, in 1987 won Tour de FranceTour de FranceThe Tour de France is an annual bicycle race held in France and nearby countries. First staged in 1903, the race covers more than and lasts three weeks. As the best known and most prestigious of cycling's three "Grand Tours", the Tour de France attracts riders and teams from around the world. The...
, the Giro d'ItaliaGiro d'ItaliaThe Giro d'Italia , also simply known as The Giro, is a long distance road bicycle racing stage race for professional cyclists held over three weeks in May/early June in and around Italy. The Giro is one of the three Grand Tours , and is part of the UCI World Ranking calendar...
and the World Cycling ChampionshipWorld Cycling ChampionshipThe UCI Road World Championships, often referred to as the World Cycling Championships, is the annual world championship for bicycle road racing organized by the Union Cycliste Internationale . The UCI Road World Championships include championships for elite men's road race and individual time trial...
. - 4 December - Paul McGrathPaul McGrath (footballer)Paul McGrath is a retired Irish footballer, who played as a defender. McGrath is widely recognised as one of the greatest players to have ever come out of Ireland....
, Irish international soccer player.
Full date unknown
- Dermot BolgerDermot BolgerDermot Bolger is an Irish novelist, playwright and poet born in Finglas, a suburb of Dublin.His work is often concerned with the articulation of the experiences of working-class characters who, for various reasons, feel alienated from society. Bolger questions the relevance of traditional...
, novelist, playwright and poet. - Hugh R. BradyHugh R. BradyHugh R. Brady, FRCPI, is President and Chief Officer of University College Dublin. He was one of the two Professors of Medicine and Therapeutics in UCD before becoming the eighth President of the University....
, President and Chief Officer of University College DublinUniversity College DublinUniversity College Dublin ) - formally known as University College Dublin - National University of Ireland, Dublin is the Republic of Ireland's largest, and Ireland's second largest, university, with over 1,300 faculty and 17,000 students...
. - Fergus JohnstonFergus JohnstonFergus Johnston is an Irish composer and member of Aosdána. He studied for both a degree in music and a Master's Degree in Music and Media Technology at Trinity College Dublin and has a PhD in composition from the National University of Ireland, Maynooth...
, composer. - Lorcan O'HerlihyLorcan O'HerlihyLorcan O'Herlihy is an architect. While studying architecture in Europe in the late 1970s, Lorcan became deeply immersed in painting, developing a highly international abstract expressionism style...
, architect and artist. - Michael ScottMichael Scott (Irish author)Michael Scott is an Irish author.Michael Scott is a seasoned and prolific writer of over 100 books during his 25 plus years of writing thus far...
, author. - Davy SpillaneDavy SpillaneDavy Spillane is a songwriter and a player of uilleann pipes and low whistle.early yearsDavy was born in Dublin in 1959 . At the age of 12 he started playing the uilleann pipes. His father encouraged him and inspired him with his love of all music genres...
, uillean piperUilleann pipesThe uilleann pipes or //; ) are the characteristic national bagpipe of Ireland, their current name, earlier known in English as "union pipes", is a part translation of the Irish-language term píobaí uilleann , from their method of inflation.The bag of the uilleann pipes is inflated by means of a...
.
Deaths
- 9 January - A. M. SullivanA. M. Sullivan (Irish lawyer)Alexander Martin Sullivan, Serjeant-at-law, better known as A M Sullivan was an Irish Lawyer, best known as the leading counsel for the defence in the 1916 treason trial of Roger Casement....
, lawyer (b.18711871 in Ireland-Events:*1 January - Church of Ireland disestablished.*J. P. Mahaffy appointed to the Chair of Ancient History at Trinity College, Dublin at the age of 32.*16 June - The Westmeath Act is enacted allowing arrest and detention without trial.-Births:...
). - January - Patrick O'Connell, soccer player and manager (b.18871887 in Ireland-Events:*29 January - The Dublin newspaper The Union is founded. The Unionist newspaper's goals are stated in its first edition as "A Journal devoted to the maintenance of the Union in the three kingdoms."...
). - 4 February - Una O'ConnorUna O'ConnorUna O'Connor was an Irish actress who worked extensively in theatre before becoming a notable character actress in film.-Life and work:...
, actress (b.18801880 in Ireland-Events:*2 February - Charles Stewart Parnell addresses the United States Congress.*March - April - General election.*27 April - Charter founding the Royal University of Ireland.*17 May - Parnell elected chairman of the Irish Parliamentary Party....
). - 7 March - T. C. MurrayT. C. MurrayThomas Cornelius Murray was an Irish dramatist who was closely associated with the Abbey Theatre. He was born in Macroom, County Cork, and educated at St Patrick's Teacher Training College in Drumcondra, Dublin. He worked as a schoolteacher and in 1900 was appointed headmaster of the national...
, dramatist (b.18731873 in Ireland-Events:*February - Home Rule Confederation of Great Britain founded at Manchester.*March - Gladstone's University Bill defeated.-Sport:* October - Foundation of County Carlow Football Club, Rugby Union Club-January to June:...
). - 13 March - Robert FordeRobert FordeRobert Forde was an Antarctic explorer and member of the Terra Nova Expedition under Captain Robert Falcon Scott from 1910–1912....
, Antarctic explorer (b.18751875 in Ireland-Events:May - Ballymena, Cushendall and Red Bay Railway opens, with services between Ballymena and Retreat in County Antrim.-Births:*14 March - Patrick McLane, Democratic member of the U.S...
). - 21 April - Sep LambertSep LambertSeptimus Drummond "Sep" Lambert was an Irish cricketer. A right-handed batsman and wicket-keeper, he played 14 times for the Ireland cricket team between 1896 and 1921, including seven first-class matches.Lambert was educated at Rathmines School and Wesley College in Dublin and at St John's...
, cricketer (b.18761876 in Ireland-Events:*1 April - Great Northern Railway formed by a merger of the Irish North Western Railway, Northern Railway of Ireland and the Ulster Railway.-Births:*21 January**James Larkin, trade union leader, socialist and Irish Labour Party TD ....
). - 15 May - Liam de RóisteLiam de RóisteLiam de Róiste was an Irish Sinn Féin politician, diarist and Gaelic scholar.He was a member of the Irish Volunteers and fought in the Easter Rising in 1916 with the Cork City Battalion. He was elected as a Sinn Féin MP for the Cork City constituency at the 1918 general election...
, company director, member 1st Dáil (Pro Treaty), representing Cork CityCork City (UK Parliament constituency)Cork City was a parliamentary constituency in Ireland, represented in the Parliament of the United Kingdom. From 1880 to 1922 it returned two Members of Parliament to the House of Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland...
. - 16 May - Elisha ScottElisha ScottElisha Scott was an Irish football goalkeeper who most notably played for Liverpool from 1912 to 1934 .-Life and playing career:...
, footballer (b.18941894 in Ireland-Events:* The former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom William Ewart Gladstone retires from politics. In his career he introduced land reform to Ireland and also attempted to grant Home Rule.* The first meeting of the Irish Trade Union Congress takes place....
). - 13 June - Seán LesterSeán LesterSeán Lester was an Irish diplomat and the last Secretary General of the League of Nations, from 31 August 1940 to 18 April 1946.-Early life:...
, diplomatDiplomacyDiplomacy is the art and practice of conducting negotiations between representatives of groups or states...
and last Secretary General of the League of NationsLeague of NationsThe League of Nations was an intergovernmental organization founded as a result of the Paris Peace Conference that ended the First World War. It was the first permanent international organization whose principal mission was to maintain world peace...
(b.18881888 in Ireland-Events:*March — The Pan-Celtic Society is founded by William Butler Yeats.*April — Pope Leo XIII issues a decree denouncing the "Plan of Campaign" as the Holy Office issued a rescript to the Bishops of Ireland to boycott the Campaign...
). - 25 June - Mick Kenny, GalwayGalway GAAThe Galway County Boards of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Galway GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Galway. The county boards are also responsible for the Galway inter-county teams.Unlike all other counties in Ireland,...
hurler (b.18931893 in Ireland-Events:*February - Prime Minister Gladstone introduces his second Home Rule Bill to the House of Commons, where it is passed.*26 April - Edward Carson is called to the English Bar at the Middle Temple...
).
Full date unknown
- Dick DoyleDick Doyle (Kilkenny hurler)Dick Doyle was a famous Irish sportsperson who played hurling for Mooncoin and Kilkenny in the 1900s. He is regarded as one of Kilkenny's greatest ever players.- Club :...
, KilkennyKilkenny GAAThe Kilkenny County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland and is responsible for Gaelic Games in County Kilkenny. The county board has its head office and main grounds at Nowlan Park and is also responsible for Kilkenny inter-county teams...
hurler (b.18881888 in Ireland-Events:*March — The Pan-Celtic Society is founded by William Butler Yeats.*April — Pope Leo XIII issues a decree denouncing the "Plan of Campaign" as the Holy Office issued a rescript to the Bishops of Ireland to boycott the Campaign...
).