On This Week: Irish Moments from History (2nd - 8th June)
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 nostalgia from 2nd - 8th June.
This Week In Irish News
2005: McDonagh Tower bites the dust
McDonagh Tower, a 15-storey block of flats in Ballymun, north Dublin, was reduced to rubble as part of a regeneration project.
Thousands of people gathered to witness the tower's demolition, which was brought down by a controlled explosion.
Oscar McAuley, the great-great-grandson of Thomas McDonagh, one of the leaders of the 1916 Rising, after whom the tower was named, pressed the detonator.
2024: CSO marked 75 years of counting the Irish economy
The Central Statistics Office (CSO) celebrated its 75th anniversary this week.
The CSO was established in 1949 to gather, analyse and publish independent statistics and insights about Irish society, its economy, and the environment.
In 1951, it carried out its first census, the first Census of Population, which is conducted every five years.
This Week In Irish Sports
1985: Barry McGuigan wins the world lightweight title
Barry McGuigan captured the WBA and lineal featherweight titles after 15 rounds against Eusebio Pedroza.
The fighter, nicknamed the 'Clones Cyclone', was on a 27-fight winning streak before facing Pedroza, who held the title for seven years and made 19 successful defences before this fight.
Yet it was McGuigan who had the upper hand, flooring Pedroza in the seventh round before winning unanimously.
2024: Gold for Ireland in 4x400m mixed relay in Europe
Team Ireland produced a magnificent performance to win gold at the European Athletics Championships.
The relay team included Chris O'Donnell, Rhasidat Adeleke, Thomas Barr & Sharlene Mawdsley who finished in a time of 3:09:92, a championship record.
The four join Sonia O'Sullivan as the only gold medallists for Ireland in the 90-year history of the European Championships.
This Week In Irish Entertainment
2012: Gay Byrne returns for Late Late Show's 50th anniversary
Gay Byrne returned to the Late Late Show set to mark the 50th anniversary of the talk show.
After receiving a standing ovation upon his arrival, Byrne spoke about how people hated it when the show started, but it quickly became popular, and the rest is history.
The anniversary also included Brendan Balfe, who was in the audience for the very first Late Late Show, who recalled his memories of the first show.
2020: Paul Mescal raises €70,000 raffling THAT chain for charity
Paul Mescal raised over €70,000 for suicide prevention charity Pieta by raffling off the iconic chain worn by his Normal People character Connell.
The chain became a hit with fans to the point that it had its own Instagram account with over 180,000 followers.
Mescal said he particularly wanted to help Pieta because "suicide and depression are themes directly linked to Normal People."
This Week In Irish Culture
2003: St Anthony relics tour Ireland
The relics of the Franciscan monk Saint Anthony of Padua, one of the Catholic Church's most popular saints, came to Ireland for a nine-day tour.
Saint Anthony is famous for his power to return lost possessions, and his tour began at Fairview in Dublin.
At one point, the poles used to carry the reliquary were lost in Dublin Airport, but Franciscan Conventual friar Father Xavier Goulet, who helped organise the tour, knew who to turn to. They found them about an hour before the official reception of the relics in Fairview started.
2023: Largest collection of Cumann na mBan memorabilia goes on display
One of the largest and most comprehensive collections of Cumann na mBan memorabilia has gone on display at the Cork Public Museum after its surprise discovery in a dusty attic.
The archive, which contains over 5,000 items, including photographs, letters, pamphlets, and newspaper clippings, gave insight into the role of the women's Republican paramilitary organisation during tumultuous times in the country's history, especially during the Civil War.
The collection would have been lost forever if a house owner had not contacted the museum and asked them to assess the material before selling the property in 2007.
What was Number 1 in Ireland This Week?
1979: 'Sunday Girl' by Blondie
Sunday Girl was written by Blondie's guitarist Chris Stein and was inspired by Debbie Harry’s cat having run away.
1983: 'Every Breath You Take' by The Police
The Police's signature song was recognised by BMI in the US as the most played song in radio history.
1998: 'C'est La Vie' by B*Witched
The iconic song from B*Witched made them the youngest girl group ever to have a UK number one.
Irish Celebrities Celebrating Birthdays This Week
Liam Cunningham (64)
Actor best known for roles in Game of Thrones, The Wind That Shakes The Barley, and Hunger.
Donal Skehan (39)
Television presenter, chef and food writer.
Helen McEntee (39)
Minister for Education and Youth, and Deputy Leader of Fine Gael.
Other Irish Trivia From This Week
2019: The Irish pigeon who played a vital role in D-Day
An Irish pigeon played a small but vital part in bringing the news of the Normandy landings on D-Day 75 years ago.
Paddy the Pigeon was one of 32 pigeons released from Normandy to bring back the news of D-Day to England.
He travelled 368 km (230 miles) in four hours and 50 minutes.
For this feat, Paddy was awarded the Dickin Medal, which has been described as the animal equivalent of Britain's Victoria Cross, and is the only Irish animal to have been so decorated.
Looking Ahead
Each Monday, On This Week will bring you a mix of stories from the last 75 years, to celebrate Volkswagen's 75 year anniversary, featuring the big news stories, sporting highlights and major pop culture moments. Volkswagen has been part of those unforgettable moments - driving families to milestones, memories, and moments that matter. Join us every week as we look back at the moments of yesteryear.
For more information visit 75 Years In Ireland | Celebrate our Birthday | VW Ireland
