On This Week: Irish moments from history (August 3rd – 9th)
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 August 3rd – 9th.
This week in Irish life and news
1965: People-watching at the Horse Show
The perils of ragwort, a glamorous menu and life in Ireland for a Dutch woman were all part of Ladies Day at the Dublin Horse Show. Estimating that there were approximately five thousand people to every one horse at the Dublin Horse Show, Frank Hall met some of the people who were attending the event. He talks to some of the women who are taking part in
Mrs Pallmann shared her love for the Irish way of life
Dutch woman Mrs Pallmann shares her experience of the show and her plans to write a book about living in Ireland. She enjoys the slower pace of life in Ireland and says that Irish horses are very like Irish people describing them both as “very sincere”.
Why should you worry? Life is too short. Live like the Irish.
Meanwhile a representative from the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) talked about the dangers of ragwort and other noxious plants such as laburnum seed and privet. She believes that a publicity campaign is needed around the dangers of these weeds to horses.
The Dublin Horse Show is not just about horses and the visitors need to be fed. Hall talked to head waiter John Conroy about what was on offer on the Horse Show menu.
This episode of Newsbeat was broadcast on 5 August 1965.
1969: The UVF bomb RTÉ
On this week in 1969, the UVF planted a bomb at RTÉ television studios, which exploded This RTÉ News radio report gives details of the damage to the television studios at Donnybrook in Dublin. The explosion occurred at exactly 1.30 am and could be heard over a wide area of Dublin city.
It was believed that the explosion may have been caused by a time bomb placed at the rear wall of the studio building. There was no structural damage to the building but there was damage to the large structural plate glass panels which are a feature of the building. No staff were injured by the explosion.
The aftermath of the bomb at the RTÉ television studio building
At this stage Gardaí were investigating what happened but so far there had been no arrests. It was later discovered that the bomb had been planted by the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF).
An RTÉ News report broadcast 5 August 1969. The reporter is Tom McCaughren.
1971: Internment news sparks riots in Derry
Rioting erupted in Derry on this week 55 years ago following the introduction of internment by Northern Ireland Prime Minister Brian Faulkner. On the morning of 9 August 1971 Faulkner maded the formal announcement that the power to imprison suspects without trial has been exercised.
Rioting followed and during the 9 August and the early hours of 10 August 1971, Northern Ireland experienced the worst violence since August 1969. Thousands of families fled their homes, many of them going crossing the border.
A young man faces British troops in Derry in 1971
On the streets of Derry young men threw missiles at British troops. The violence centred on the Rosemount Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) Barracks which faced a day long barrage of stones and petrol bombs. A group of young men tore up a Union Jack flag.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 9 August 1971.
This week in arts and entertainment
1987: U2 fly into Cork after their American number one
On this week in 1987, U2 and their entourage arrived in Cork for their concert at Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Over 50,000 fans are expected in the stadium for the concert and every hotel and guesthouse in the city is booked out. Support acts include UB40, The Dubliners and The Subterraneans.
When they flew into Cork Airport on a plane emblazoned with the words U2: THE OUT OF OUR TREE TOUR, the band were greeted by hundreds of fans.
Bono emerging from a plane in Cork
The band had plenty to celebrate as their single ‘I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For’ had just hit the number one spot in the United States.
The reporter is Michael Walsh.
1988: A controversial sculpture in Kinsale
On this week 48 years ago there was dispute in Kinsale over artwork that claimed to be the longest sculpture in Ireland but that protesters said was dangerous.
The Band of the Southern Command played at the unveiling of Kinsale’s new sculpture, and the children were entertained by Piper and Reeves funfairs, but the protesters were not far away. Cork sculptor Eilís O’Connell’s work, commissioned to celebrate Kinsale’s achievements in the Tidy Towns competitions, did not attract universal approval.
The Great Wall of Kinsale became controversial
The rust coloured sculpture, which comprises of a central archway and smaller arches on each side, and a snake-like seat, is located at the main entrance to the town park. It was officially the longest sculpture in Ireland, measuring 179 feet.
Speaking at the event, Arts Council chairman Mairtín McCullough asked the protesters not to write off this piece of public art altogether,
Our reservations about this dramatic piece of sculpture and contemporary art would I think be well-advised to hold their peace just for a little while in terms of judgement.
Joe Walsh, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture and Food, cut the ribbon and formally presented Kinsale with the sculpture, which is part of its prize for winning the Tidy Towns competition. Most people seemed happy with the latest installation in the town, in spite of the protesters. And the challenge of climbing up the sloping sides of the sculpture proved irresistible to many younger citizens.
The kids were busy making use of the sculpture. In the background it had become a slide.
The sculpture remained controversial, and as a result of what she felt was a lack of respect for her work, which has been modified by the authorities over the years, O’Connell stopped working in Ireland. “For me, the piece has been destroyed,” she told the Irish Examiner in 2021. “I couldn’t bear to see it now.”
This report was broadcast on 3 August 1988. The reporter is Tom MacSweeney.
This week in sports
1977: Water-skiing in County Monaghan
When thinking of water-skiing, Monaghan might not be the first place that springs to mind, but on this week 49 years ago the National Water-Skiing Championships took place in County Monaghan.
For the third year in a row scenic Annaghmakerrig Lough near Newbliss was the location for the National Water-Skiing Championships.
One of the competitors at the National Waterskiing Championships in 1977
The Senior Men’s title was won for the seventh time by Alan Dagg, and the Senior Ladies prize by Monica Meleady, both members of the Golden Falls Ski Club in County Wicklow.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 5 August 1977. The reporter is Dermot Mullane.
1992: Michael Carruth takes Olympic gold
Celebrations took place this week in Dublin in 1992 when boxer Michael Carruth won Olympic gold medal in Barcelona. Carruth became the Olympic Welterweight Boxing Champion having beaten Juan Hernandez of Cuba to take gold in Barcelona. The reigning world champion Juan Hernandez was the favourite but it was the boxer from Greenhills in Dublin hat took the title.
The Carruth family celebrate Michael’s victory
His dream of Olympic gold focused the eyes of the nation on his family’s front room. Carruth’s family and friends, including his brother Austin, his mother Joan, his wife Paula and his triplet brothers Martin and William watched the fight at the family home in Greenhills. Fred Tiedt, the last Irish boxer to reach the final of an Olympic Games, also joined the Carruth family to cheer on Michael.
The familiar chant of “Olé, Olé, Olé” rang out from the Carruth family home. When Michael Carruth was declared the winner there was an outpouring of joy and cheers in the family home, and throughout Greenhills and the rest of Ireland. Colleagues of the new Olympic champion in the Defence Forces paid a fitting tribute with a helicopter fly by.
Joan Carruth, Michael’s mother only emerged from her bedroom when she was sure that the fight was over. She was lost for words at the thought that her son is an Olympic champion.
Michael’s brother said,
It’s a great day for Greenhills. It’s a great day for Ireland in general. It’s a great day for boxing.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 8 August 1992. The reporter is Mark Little.
What was Number 1 in Ireland this week?
1985: ‘There Must Be An Angel (Playing With My Heart) by Eurythmics
Annie Lennox’s vocals soared in this iconic electro-pop hit, which featured a harmonica solo from none other than Stevie Wonder.
nnie Lennox and Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics, along with Stevie Wonder, work on the song ‘There Must Be an Angel (Playing with My Heart)’ at the Villiage Recorder in Los Angeles, California, circa 1985. Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images
1996: ‘Wannabe’ by the Spice Girls
The debut single by the best selling girl-group of all time hit the top of the charts on this week thirty years ago.
The Spice Girls in Paris in 1996
2005: ‘You’re Beautiful’ by James Blunt
The self-deprecating star scored a massive hit with this song, which stayed at the top of the Irish charts for four weeks 21 years ago.
James Blunt had a massive hit with ‘You’re Beautiful’
Famous Irish names celebrating birthdays this week
Eamonn Dunphy
The former footballer and broadcaster turns 81 on August 3rd.
Louis Walsh
The entertainment manager and reality TV star celebrates his 74th birthday on August 5th.
The Edge
The guitarist born Dave Evans is 65 on August 8th.