1994
Down won the All Ireland Senior Football Champions
Offaly won the All Ireland Senior Hurling Champions
IRISH MOVIES INCLUDED
Patriots
The Secret of Roan Irish
The Snapper
ALSO THAT YEAR
After many years the English Channel is opened joining England to France for the first time.
This year also marks the 50th Anniversary of the Allied landings in France and the beginning of the end of the Second World War.
In the US the First Genetically Engineered Tomatoes become available and the use and sale of GM Foods is approved
ANC triumphs in first Multiracial elections Nelson Mandella becomes president of South Africa
Soccer, The world cup is played in the USA
June 18th, Ireland beat Italy 1-0 in Giants Stadium, Ray Houghton scores for Ireland after 9 minutes, and Ireland beat Italy in a revenge game for being knocked out by Italy in the Previous world cup.
Ireland v Mexico, 24 June: tempers and temperatures rise in the heat of Orlando. Mexico beat Ireland 2-1. John Aldridge scores Irelands consolation goal.
June 28th A draw with Norway puts Ireland into the next round:
Ireland v Holland on July 4. Holland win 2 – 0. Brazil are the eventual World Cup winners.
April 30th. The point, Dublin, Riverdance is one of the highlights of Eurovision 94, hosted by Cynthia ni Mhurchu and Gerry Ryan. Charlie McGettigan and Paul Harrington are runaway winners with the song Rock ‘n’ Roll Kids, giving Ireland its third victory in a row.
May 26 – Jack Charlton, manager of Republic of Ireland national football team since 1986, is awarded the freedom of Dublin City.
July 26 – The Minister for Education, Niamh Bhreathnach, pledges the introduction of free third-level education for everyone over the next three years.
August 31 – The IRA announces a complete cessation of military operations.
September 1 – Transition Year is introduced mainstream, to secondary schools.
September 6 – Taoiseach Albert Reynolds, John Hume and Gerry Adams hold an historic meeting at Government Buildings. All three pledge their commitment to the democratic idea.
September 30 – Taoiseach Albert Reynolds and members of the government wait at Shannon Airport to greet President Boris Yeltsin. He fails to leave the aircraft to meet them.
October 13 – Loyalist paramilitary groups announce a ceasefire six weeks after the IRA.
November 16 – The Fianna Fáil-Labour coalition collapses.
November 17 – Albert Reynolds tenders his resignation as Taoiseach. However, the Dáil is not dissolved.
November 19 – Bertie Ahern is elected leader of Fianna Fáil.
December 15 – John Bruton, leader of Fine Gael, becomes Taoiseach of the so-called “Rainbow” government in coalition with Labour and the Democratic Left parties
MUSIC
Christmas number 1 is Stay Another Day by East 17.
OTHER POPULAR SONGS
R.E.M. – What’s The Frequency, Kenneth?
Perez ‘Prez’ Prado – Guaglione
Whigfield – Saturday Night
Oasis – Live Forever
Bill Whelan/ Anuna/ RTE Concert Orchestra – Riverdance
Paul Harrington/ Charlie McGettigan – Rock’n’Roll Kids
Cranberries – Zombie
Crowded House – Distant Sun
Deep Forest – Sweet Lullaby
Boyzone – Love Me For A Reason
Shampoo – Trouble
A House – Here Come The Good Times
