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 14th to 20th April.
This Week In Irish News
1991: Sittings at Seanad Éireann televised for the first time
Sittings at Seanad Éireann was televised for the first time on RTÉ.
Irish people could see what happened in the Seanad chamber for the first time. The move arrived shortly after television coverage of Dáil Éireann began earlier that year.
2023: Joe Biden ends Ireland trip with address in Ballina, Co Mayo
The 46th US President Joe Biden paid a visit to Ireland which concluded with an address to thousands of people outside St Muredach's Cathedral in Ballina, Co Mayo.
It was estimated that 27,000 people gathered to hear his speech, where he said speaking in the town "feels like coming home". His speech ended with applause as he left the stage after announcing "Mayo for Sam".
This Week In Irish Sports
1987: End Of An Era For Shamrock Rovers At Milltown
Shamrock Rovers confirmed they would leave their home of Glenmalure Park in Milltown after more than 60 years.
The club crossed the city to share Tolka Park with Home Farm in Drumcondra. The reasons given were falling attendances and the hope that moving would bring fans back again.
It would be a long time before Rovers had a home again, eventually moving into Tallaght Stadium in 2009.
2016: Gymnast Ellis O'Reilly creates history with Olympic place
Ellis O’Reilly became the first Irish female gymnast to qualify for an Olympic Games, creating history in the process.
She secured a place in Rio 2016 through her performance at the Aquecce Rio test event, the final qualifying event for the Games.
This Week In Irish Entertainment
1988: Hothouse Flowers Take To The Streets
Crowds gathered on the streets of Dublin to see Hothouse Flowers perform.
The band performed on Henry Street, O'Connell Street, and Grafton Street to promote the release of their new album 'People’,
The event attracted hundreds of people, with many running from one street to another to catch the band again.
This Week In Irish Culture
1998: Áras an Uachtaráin opens to the public for the first time.
The residence of the President of Ireland opened to the public for the first time this week in 1998.
Then president Mary McAleese implemented public tours of Áras an Uachtaráin with the Office of Public Works where she and her husband Martin welcomed the very first visitors.
2013: RTÉ launches a new children's channel
RTÉ launched a new dedicated digital channel for children on TV, radio, online and mobile.
RTÉjr began with 14 new shows made especially for children and allowed children to watch, listen and play.
What was Number 1 in Ireland This Week?
1977 'Knowing Me, Knowing You' by ABBA
This was the Swedish supergroup’s third single from their fourth album ‘Arrival’.
1987 'With or Without You' by U2
The Joshua Tree featured several iconic U2 songs including With or Without You. It was the band’s first number-one hit in the United States and Canada.
2008 'Galway Girl' by Sharon Shannon and Mundy
Written by multi-Grammy award winner Steve Earle, this cover of Galway Girl became the most downloaded song of 2008 and is currently the eighth highest-selling single in Irish chart history.
Irish Celebrities Celebrating Birthdays This Week
Michael D. Higgins (84)
Current President of Ireland who was first elected in 2011.
Rosanna Davison (41)
Author, model, and former Miss World winner.
Ed Byrne (45)
Comedian and actor best known for BBC's Mock the Week and RTÉ’s The Panel.
Other Irish Trivia From This Week
2022: Irish family's home made into LEGO
An Irish family of five who won a UK competition got a complete replica of their home at Legoland's Windsor Resort outside London.
Primary school teacher Áine Molloy, husband Jarlath and their three sons, Fionn, Darragh, and Oisín, won a competition to have their Southampton home reimagined in one of the UK's most exclusive postcodes - the resort's Miniland.
The 13,623-brick house was crafted by Lego’s model makers and was displayed next to the Eiffel Tower in Miniland.
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
