On This Week: Irish moments from history (September 14th to 20th)
Welcome to On This Week, where we delve into the standout stories from the years gone by, featuring standout news stories, major sporting events, and pop culture highlights that helped shape Irish life. Here’s your dose of Irish history from September 14th – 20th
This week in life and news
1985: Victory in sight for anti-apartheid strikers
The first sign of an end to the anti-apartheid strike by supermarket workers came on this week 41 years ago in an announcement from the Minister for Labour. The major supermarkets told the Minister for Labour Ruairí Quinn that they intended to phase out South African produce. Quinn believed the aims of the strike could now be achieved by a return to work, by concentrating on consumer boycotts and keeping South African goods off the shelves. The key question was how quickly the stores, especially Dunnes Stores, will switch from South African produce.
Karen Gearon was one of the strikers
The union wanted to meet with Dunnes Stores directly to ensure there is no victimisation of the strikers, something the Labour Court had strongly opposed. On foot of the announcement by the minister, Karen Gearon, shop steward in the Henry Street branch of Dunnes Stores in Dublin, said that
It forms the beginning of the end of the strike because I think that if all South African goods are phased out in every other store, it’s a hell of a lot more than what we hoped to achieve. Because it means that every store, not only Dunnes Stores, is going to phase out South African goods eventually.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 14 September 1985. The reporter is Liam Cahill.
1994: the British broadcasting ban on Sinn Féin is lifted
On this week 32 years ago, British Prime Minister John Major announced that the British broadcasting ban would be relaxed and committed to a referendum on the political future of Northern Ireland. On his first visit to Northern Ireland since the IRA ceasefire, Major made a gesture to Sinn Féin by lifting the broadcasting ban that prevented their members from being heard on television and radio in the United Kingdom.
John Major announced the lifting of the ban at a press conference in Belfast
During his brief visit to Belfast, Major had a meeting with Belfast Lord Mayor Hugh Smith and also met leaders of the main churches who gave their assessment of the mood in both the catholic and protestant communities.
The lifting of the broadcasting ban meant that Sinn Féin could say directly whether the ceasefire was in fact permanent.
Sinn Féin can put it in any words they like provided it is unambiguous.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 16 September 1994. The reporter is David Davin-Power.
This week in arts and entertainment
1966: Bing Crosby in Dublin
In September 1966, Bing Crosby flew into Dublin Airport and was persuaded to sing ‘Galway Bay’ for RTÉ News.
Bing Crosby and wife Kathryn were taken by surprise with a request for a song. Photo © RTÉ Stills Library
The American entertainer visited Ireland a number of times through his interest in horse racing.On this visit, just as he was getting into his chauffeur-driven car, reporter Mícheál Ó Briain got him to sing, much to the amusement of Bing’s wife Kathryn Crosby.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 16 September 1966. The reporter is Mícheál Ó Briain.
1984: Phil Lynott pays tribute to Sandy Denny
On this week in 1984 Phil Lynott appeared on the Late Late Show with Howth band ‘Clann Eadair’, The Family of Howth. Phil spoke to Gay Byrne about the band and performs a tribute to the late Sandy Denny. Clann Eadair were a traditional group from Howth, Co. Dublin, with whom Phil Lynott had guested on stage. Having first seen them in a Howth bar, Lynott made plans to produce and record the group.
Phil Lynott and Clann Eadair performing their tribute to the late Sandy Denny © RTÉ Stills Library
They collaborated on a single to Sandy Denny, which they performed on the Late Late Show broadcast on 15 September, 1984. Sandy Denny was lead singer in folk rock band Fairport Convention. She died from a brain haemorrhage at the age of 31.
This week in sport
1968: Camogie finals at Croke Park
There’s been plenty of controversy over camogie kits in recent times – the rule allowing players to wear shorts was only changed two years ago. Things were even more restrictive in 1968, when female athletes took to the Croke Park pitch in old-fashioned gymslips. On this week 58 years ago, Wexford beat Cork at Croke Park to win the All Ireland Camogie Championship. In this clip from the early part of the first half of the match Áine Comerford scores a goal from a free for Cork, followed by another goal for Cork scored by Anna Crotty. Wexford replied shortly after when a Bridget O’Connor free was finished to the back of the net by Josie Keogh.
The camogie kits of the day weren’t exactly streamlined
The referee for the match was Nancy Murray from Antrim. Wexford went on to win the game with a final score of 4-02 to Cork’s 2-05. Highlights shown here are taken from ‘Sports Final’ broadcast 15 September 1968. The commentator is Liam Campbell.
2010: Katie Taylor is world champion
There was a warm welcome for world boxing champion Katie Taylor as she returned home from Barbados on this week 16 years ago. The then-23 year old boxer from Bray arrived home to a jubilant reception at Dublin Airport. Following previous success in India and China, this third World Championship title enhanced the reputation of Katie Taylor as one of the most formidable female fighters ever.
Taylor described the championships as an amazing two weeks. She fought five fights in one week, coming back from being a point down in the semi-final and then defeating Chinese boxer Cheng Dong in the final.
Katie Taylor speaking to reporters on her return to Ireland
Minister for Sport Mary Hanafin was under no doubt Irish boxers would continue their success at the Olympics in 2012. As for Katie Taylor she says
If she never went any further the fact that she’s after coming home as world champion here today has helped all of us to celebrate with her.
Taylor went on to win Olympic gold in the London Olympics.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 20 September 2010. The reporter is Eamon Horan.
What was Number 1 in Ireland this week?
1978: ‘Three Times a Lady’ by the Commodores
This smooth ballad stayed at number one for three weeks in 1978.
The Commodores in 1978
1997: ‘Tubthumping’ by Chumbawamba
The anarcho-communist band that formed in the 1980s became unlikely pop stars 29 years ago when this unforgettable song topped the charts.
Members of Chumbawamba pose during the Guinness Fleadh at San Jose State University on June 28, 1998 in San Jose, California. Photo: Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images
2008: ‘I Kissed A Girl’ by Katy Perry
Katy Perry’s debut single was a massive hit 18 years ago, staying at number one for four weeks in 1998.
Katy Perry in 2008
Famous Irish names celebrating birthdays this week
Brendan O’Carroll
The man behind Mrs Brown turns 71 on September 17th.
Don Wycherley
The actor celebrates his 59th birthday on September 15th.
Joseph O’Connor
The award-winning author turns 63 on September 20th.