On This Week: Irish moments from history (July 20th - 26th)
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 July 20th - 26th.
This week in Irish life and news
1969: Irish people react to the moon landings
On this week 57 years ago, human beings walked on the moon for the first time - and Ireland was watching. On 20 July 1969, Apollo 11 landed on the moon with astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin on board. Hours later at 3.56 am on 21 July, man walked on the moon for the first time.
Broadcast live on television, Neil Armstrong stepped onto the moon describing the event as,
One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.
RTÉ News got the views of people on the streets of Dublin to the moon landing. Many of them had stayed up until the early hours of the morning to watch the event live on television.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 21 July 1969. The reporter is Ultan McElligott.
1974: Women 'invade' the Forty Foot
These days the Forty Foot in Dublin's Sandycove is a hugely popular public swimming spot. But 52 years ago the space was reserved for men only. And so on this week in 1974 a group of about 10 women calling themselves the Dublin City Women's Invasionary Force "invaded" the Forty Foot.
Some of the women held placards with one stating,
We'll fight on the beaches, we'll win between the sheets.
But the men were not impressed. An angry male swimmer told RTÉ News to leave the area adding,
There was a time when no self-respecting women would be in here anyway.
Another man tries to be more pragmatic, pointing out that people do not have the right to go anywhere they like. They cannot just turn up to Dún Laoghaire Golf Club and expect it to be open to everybody.
We don't rush into Telefís Éireann and say we should have our coffee in your canteen and so on. Why should we?
One of the women swimming at the Forty Foot says she is asserting her rights and demonstrating that women are not inferior to men. Traditionally, men bathed nude at the Forty Foot before 9 am in the morning. The woman said if that was the rule, then she would also swim nude at the allotted time.
I mean, we came into this world naked.
Today the Forty Foot is open to all, although women have only been allowed to become official members of the Sandycove Bathers Association since 2014.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 20 July 1974. The reporter is John McAleese.
1975: Bombs in Coolock
On this week 51 years ago, An Garda Síochána issued urgent warnings to parents in the north Dublin suburb of Coolock after a number of explosive devices were found in the area. The explosives were thought to be part of a Provisional Irish Republican Army arms cache found in a ditch near Belcamp Lane in Coolock by two boys.
Gardaí feared that some children from the Bonnybrook housing estate remain at risk, as they were seen taking items away from the haul.
To highlight the dangers posed by the missing explosives, Inspector T Mulligan and Superintendent E J Loftus visited Northside Shopping Centre, where they displayed a mortar bomb and a flare to a large group of parents and children. Parents are asked to warn their children not to handle any strange objects they might find.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 26 July 1975. The footage shown here is mute.
This week in arts and entertainment
1986: Joan Armatrading in Dublin
On this week forty years ago, singer and songwriter Joan Armatrading talked to Marty Whelan ahead of her upcoming performance in Dublin. As Marty said,
Her live shows in Ireland are always sell outs, a testament to her popularity.
Joan Armatrading was born in Saint Kitts but lived in England most of her life. She chatted to Marty about writing the theme music to the film 'The Flight of the Wild Geese', explaining how she wrote the lyrics and music for the track and why she never plays the music live.
1991: Macnas kick off the Galway Arts Festival
More than 2000 visitors thronged the city streets in this week 35 years ago to watch the annual Galway Arts Festival's summertime pageant. Galway city streets came to life with sea monster creations as the Macnas parade marks the opening of the Festival.
Manannan Mac Lir, the giant King of the Sea, returned to the city of tribes in style with his twenty or so children and a harem of mermaid wives. Thousands lined the streets of Galway to welcome the Neptune family as part of the spectacular parade.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 21 July 1991. The reporter is Jim Fahy.
This week in sports
1987: France has confidence in Stephen Roche
On the eve of the final stage of the Tour de France, a victory by Stephen Roche is expected. This RTÉ report broadcast on July 25 1987 shows vox pop of French people saying that Stephen Roche will win the Tour de France, as well as an interview with Tadhg O'Sullivan, Irish Ambassador to France. Roche did indeed win the Tour de France on July 26th.
The reporter is Vere Wynne Jones.
2008: Padraig Harrington's back to back victories
Back to back wins at The Open Championship for Padraig Harrington put him in an elite group of golfers. Harrington joined a very exclusive club of golf players having won the British Open for the second year in a row, becoming the first European in over a century to retain the Open Championship following victory at Royal Birkdale.
The Dublin golfer produced a superb back nine which included two birdies and an eagle to win the tournament on three over par, four shots ahead of second place Ian Poulter.
Greg Allen talked to Padraig Harrington following his win.
I actually hit the ball probably better today than I have on the golf course forever.
A 'Morning Ireland' report broadcast on 21 July 2008.
What was Number 1 in Ireland this week?
1987: 'Who's That Girl' by Madonna
The queen of pop had yet another number one in summer 1987, with 'Who's That Girl' staying on the top of the charts for a fortnight.
1992: 'Ain't No Doubt' by Jimmy Nail
The actor became an unlikely pop sensation in 1992 with this song, which topped the Irish charts for three weeks.
2002: 'Dry Your Eyes' by the Streets
This plaintive song was a big hit for British rapper and producer Mike Skinner, staying at number one in Ireland for three weeks.
Famous Irish names celebrating birthdays this week
Sarah Greene
The actress turns 42 on July 21st.
Aodhán O' Riordain
The MEP celebrates his fiftieth birthday on July 22nd
Joy Neville
The former Irish rugby international player and referee turns 43 on July 24th.
