1979 in Northern Ireland
Encyclopedia
January to March
- 5 January - Two members of the Provisional Irish Republican ArmyProvisional Irish Republican ArmyThe Provisional Irish Republican Army is an Irish republican paramilitary organisation whose aim was to remove Northern Ireland from the United Kingdom and bring about a socialist republic within a united Ireland by force of arms and political persuasion...
(IRA), are killed in ArdoyneArdoyneArdoyne is an Irish nationalist, working class and mainly Catholic district in north Belfast, Northern Ireland. It gained notoriety due to the large number of incidents during "The Troubles". It is home to approximately 20,000 inhabitants...
, BelfastBelfastBelfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
, when the car bomb they are transporting explodes prematurely. - 4 February - A former prison officer and his wife are shot dead at their home in Oldpark Road, Belfast, by the IRA.
- 17 February - Twelve people are killed in the La Mon Restaurant BombingLa Mon Restaurant BombingThe La Mon restaurant bombing was an incendiary bomb attack by the Provisional Irish Republican Army on 17 February 1978. The target was a hotel/restaurant near Belfast, Northern Ireland. The IRA unit who planted the bomb tried to send warnings by telephone, but was unable to do so until nine...
near Belfast. - 20 February - Eleven Loyalists, known as the Shankill ButchersShankill ButchersThe Shankill Butchers is the name given to an Ulster loyalist gang, many of whom were members of the Ulster Volunteer Force . The gang conducted paramilitary activities during the 1970s in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It was most notorious for its late-night kidnapping, torture and murder of random...
, are sentenced to life imprisonment for 112 offences, including nineteen sectarian murders. - 24 February - Two Catholic teenagers, mistaken in the dark for a British ArmyBritish ArmyThe British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
foot patrol, are killed by the IRA in a remote controlled bomb explosion at DarkleyDarkleyDarkley is a small village and townland near Keady in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. In the 2001 Census it had a population of 282 people.- History :Historically Darkley was a mill village and produced linen....
, County ArmaghCounty Armagh-History:Ancient Armagh was the territory of the Ulaid before the fourth century AD. It was ruled by the Red Branch, whose capital was Emain Macha near Armagh. The site, and subsequently the city, were named after the goddess Macha...
. - 16 March - The Bennett Report, investigating allegations of ill-treatment of people held in interrogation centres in Northern Ireland, is published and Government undertakes to implement major recommendations.
- 22 March - The IRA kills Richard SykesRichard Sykes (diplomat)Sir Richard Sykes was the British Ambassador to the Netherlands, who was killed by the IRA in The Hague in 1979. Footman Karel Straub was also killed, both being shot in the head as they left the ambassador's residence for the short trip to the embassy.He served in Havana, Peking and Washington,...
, British Ambassador to the NetherlandsNetherlandsThe Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
, and his Dutch valet, in a gun attack in The HagueThe HagueThe Hague is the capital city of the province of South Holland in the Netherlands. With a population of 500,000 inhabitants , it is the third largest city of the Netherlands, after Amsterdam and Rotterdam...
, Netherlands. - 22 March - The IRA carries out a series of attacks across Northern Ireland with 24 bomb explosions.
- 30 March - Airey NeaveAirey NeaveAirey Middleton Sheffield Neave DSO, OBE, MC was a British soldier, barrister and politician.During World War II, Neave was one of the few servicemen to escape from the German prisoner-of-war camp Oflag IV-C at Colditz Castle...
, Conservative PartyConservative Party (UK)The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
Spokesman on Northern Ireland, is killed by an Irish National Liberation ArmyIrish National Liberation ArmyThe Irish National Liberation Army or INLA is an Irish republican socialist paramilitary group that was formed on 8 December 1974. Its goal is to remove Northern Ireland from the United Kingdom and create a socialist united Ireland....
(INLA) booby trap bomb attached to his car at the House of Commons, London.
April to June
- 5 April - Two British Army soldiers are shot dead by the IRA while standing outside Andersonstown joint Royal Ulster ConstabularyRoyal Ulster ConstabularyThe Royal Ulster Constabulary was the name of the police force in Northern Ireland from 1922 to 2000. Following the awarding of the George Cross in 2000, it was subsequently known as the Royal Ulster Constabulary GC. It was founded on 1 June 1922 out of the Royal Irish Constabulary...
(RUC) and British Army base in Belfast. - 11 April - Two British Army soldiers die as the result of a gun attack carried out by the IRA in Ballymurphy, Belfast.
- 16 April - A prison officer is shot dead by the IRA as he leaves a church in ClogherClogherClogher is a village in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It lies on the River Blackwater, south of Omagh. The United Kingdom Census of 2001 recorded a population of 309.-History:...
, County TyroneCounty TyroneHistorically Tyrone stretched as far north as Lough Foyle, and comprised part of modern day County Londonderry east of the River Foyle. The majority of County Londonderry was carved out of Tyrone between 1610-1620 when that land went to the Guilds of London to set up profit making schemes based on...
, where his sister had just been married. - 17 April - Four RUC officers are killed when the IRA explodes a 1,000-pound van bomb at BessbrookBessbrookBessbrook is a village in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. It lies about three miles northwest of Newry and close to the main Dublin–Belfast road and rail line...
, County Armagh. - 19 April - A female prison officer is shot dead and three colleagues are injured in an IRA gun and grenade attack outside Armagh women's prison.
July to September
- 14 July - In CrossmaglenCrossmaglenCrossmaglen or Crosmaglen is a village and townland in south County Armagh, Northern Ireland. It had a population of 1,459 people in the 2001 Census and is the largest village in south Armagh...
, County ArmaghCounty Armagh-History:Ancient Armagh was the territory of the Ulaid before the fourth century AD. It was ruled by the Red Branch, whose capital was Emain Macha near Armagh. The site, and subsequently the city, were named after the goddess Macha...
, Gaelic Athletic AssociationGaelic Athletic AssociationThe Gaelic Athletic Association is an amateur Irish and international cultural and sporting organisation focused primarily on promoting Gaelic games, which include the traditional Irish sports of hurling, camogie, Gaelic football, handball and rounders...
supporters parade silently in protest against the British ArmyBritish ArmyThe British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
's commandeering of part of the local football pitch. - 27 August - In the Warrenpoint ambushWarrenpoint ambushThe Warrenpoint ambush or the Warrenpoint massacre was a guerrilla assault by the Provisional Irish Republican Army on 27 August 1979. The IRA attacked a British Army convoy with two large bombs at Narrow Water Castle , Northern Ireland...
the IRA kill eighteen British soldiers in two bomb explosions.
Football
- Irish League
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- Winners: LinfieldLinfield F.C.Linfield F.C. , is a semi-professional, Northern Irish football club, whose home ground is Windsor Park in Belfast, which is also the home of the Northern Ireland international team....
- Winners: Linfield
- Irish CupIrish CupFor the equivalent tournament in the Republic of Ireland, see FAI Cup.The Irish Cup is the national cup knock-out competition in Northern Irish football. Inaugurated in 1881, it is the fourth oldest national cup competition in the world...
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- Winners: CliftonvilleCliftonville F.C.Cliftonville Football & Athletic Club is a semi-professional, Northern Irish football club playing in the IFA Premiership. Founded on 20 September 1879 by John McCredy McAlery in the suburb of Cliftonville in north Belfast, it is the oldest football club in Ireland and celebrated its 130th...
3 - 2 PortadownPortadown F.C.Portadown F.C. is a semi-professional, Northern Irish football club which plays in the IFA Premiership.The club was founded in the late 1880s and joined the Irish League in 1924. It is based in Portadown in County Armagh and plays its home games at Shamrock Park...
- Winners: Cliftonville
January to June
- 11 January - Michael DuffMichael Duff (footballer)Michael James Duff is a Northern Irish international footballer who plays for Burnley. He plays in the centre of defence or at right-back.-Career:Although born in Belfast Duff was raised in Bedale, North Yorkshire...
, soccer player. - 27 February - Neil Anderson, cricketer.
- 3 April - Neil BestNeil BestNeil Best is a rugby union footballer, He plays for Worcester Warriors and the Irish national team....
, rugby player. - 15 May - Sean FriarsSean FriarsSean Friars is a footballer and former Liverpool player. He currently plays for Institute.-Early career:...
, soccer player. - 18 May - Richard McKinney, soccer player.
- 25 May - Andy KirkAndy Kirk (footballer)Andrew "Andy" Kirk is a footballer, currently playing for Scottish Premier League side Dunfermline Athletic and Northern Ireland. He is a striker. He is the son of former footballer and former Lisburn Distillery manager Paul Kirk.-Hearts:Having had several unsuccessful trials in England...
, soccer player. - 28 May - Michael HallidayMichael Halliday (footballer)Michael Halliday is a footballer from Northern Ireland who plays in the IFA Premiership for Crusaders.Halliday is from the east of Belfast and started his career at Glentoran , where he played for 11 years and won many trophies...
, soccer player. - 19 June - John DuddyJohn DuddyJohn Francis Duddy is a retired middleweight professional boxer, from Derry, Northern Ireland. Duddy fought under the moniker of "Ireland's John Duddy" or "The Derry Destroyer"....
, boxer. - 20 June - Stuart RobinsonStuart RobinsonStuart Robinson is a Northern Ireland broadcaster with Cool FM and Downtown Radio, he had previously been a founding member and the longest running presenter on rival station Belfast CityBeat since 1996 before his defection in 2010.He has won and been nominated for a number top industry awards, he...
, radio DJ. - 30 June - Darren KellyDarren KellyDarren Kelly is a Northern Irish footballer who plays for Garforth Town as a defender.He began his career at home-town club Derry City and made nearly 150 league appearances for the team before moving to English Football League side Carlisle United, following financial difficulties at Derry...
, soccer player.
July to December
- 30 July - Graeme McDowellGraeme McDowellGraeme McDowell MBE is a Northern Irish professional golfer.McDowell has won seven events on the European Tour, including the 2010 U.S. Open which was also his first win on the PGA Tour...
, golfer. - 3 August - Paul McCloskeyPaul McCloskeyPaul McCloskey is an Irish southpaw professional boxer who fights in the light welterweight division....
, boxer. - 5 August - Richard GrahamRichard Graham (Northern Irish footballer)Richard Stephen Graham is a Northern Ireland footballer who plays for Dartford as a left-midfielder.-Career:Born in Newry, County Down, Graham began his career in the Queens Park Rangers youth system, making two first team appearances in the Football League, but he was released in 2001...
, soccer player. - 5 August - David HealyDavid Healy (footballer)David Jonathan Healy, MBE is a Northern Ireland international footballer who plays as a striker for Scottish Premier League champions Rangers...
, international soccer player. - 8 November - Aaron HughesAaron HughesAaron William Hughes is a Northern Irish footballer who plays for Fulham. Hughes is able to play centre back, right back or left back, as well as anywhere in midfield. He is usually deployed in a centre half position for his club and country, and is the current Northern Ireland captain...
, international soccer player. - 24 November - Aidan O'KaneAidan O'KaneAidan O'Kane is an footballer, currently playing for Glentoran.While at Cliftonville, he played in the UEFA Intertoto Cup. From his time at York he played against Leeds, Boro, Sheff Wed and Sunderland in friendly games and played in both the FA Cup and League Cup...
, soccer player. - 5 December - Gareth McAuleyGareth McAuleyGareth Gerald McAuley is a Northern Ireland footballer who plays for West Bromwich Albion as a defender.-Early career:...
, soccer player.
Deaths
- 4 June - James Hamilton, 4th Duke of AbercornJames Hamilton, 4th Duke of AbercornJames Edward Hamilton, 4th Duke of Abercorn . He was the son of James Hamilton, 3rd Duke of Abercorn and Lady Rosalind Cecilia Caroline Bingham...
, soldier and politician (b.19041904 in Ireland-Events:*26 April - King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra arrive at Kingstown. The royal couple attend the Punchestown Races for the day.*2 May - The King and Queen travel to Waterford where they stay at Lismore Castle, home of the Duke of Devonshire....
). - 10 August - Joseph O'DohertyJoseph O'DohertyJoseph O'Doherty was an Irish politician. Born in Derry, Ireland, he was a teacher and a barrister and a member of the Irish Volunteers Executive from 1917–21....
, Sinn FéinSinn FéinSinn Féin is a left wing, Irish republican political party in Ireland. The name is Irish for "ourselves" or "we ourselves", although it is frequently mistranslated as "ourselves alone". Originating in the Sinn Féin organisation founded in 1905 by Arthur Griffith, it took its current form in 1970...
MPMember of ParliamentA Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
, 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...
TD and Seanad member (b.18911891 in Ireland-Events:*June - Charles Stewart Parnell marries Kitty O'Shea in Sussex.*6 October - Charles Stewart Parnell dies. Up to 200,000 people attend the funeral of the 'Uncrowned King of Ireland.'...
). - 15 November - Patrick McGilliganPatrick McGilliganPatrick McGilligan was an Irish lawyer and Cumann na nGaedheal/Fine Gael politician.McGilligan was born in Coleraine, County Londonderry, Ireland. He was educated at St...
- Cumann na nGaedheal/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...
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...
and Cabinet Minister (b.18891889 in Ireland-Events:*June — Edward Carson becomes the youngest QC in Ireland .*16 July — Ballymena and Larne Railway taken over by Belfast and Northern Counties Railway....
). - 17 December - Harold JacksonHarold Jackson (cricketer)Harold Jackson was an Irish cricketer. A left-handed batsman, he played twice for the Ireland cricket team in the 1920s. including one first-class match....
, cricketer (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...
).
Full date unknown
- Billy McCrackenBilly McCrackenBilly McCracken was a Northern Irish association football player. His position was defender....
, footballer and football manager (b.18831883 in Ireland-Events:*April - The narrow gauge Castlederg and Victoria Bridge Tramway opens in County Tyrone.*1 November - Mater Infirmorum Hospital in Belfast admits its first patients.-Soccer:*International*Irish Cup-Births:...
).