2002 in Ireland

Events

*January 1 - The Euro is introduced across the European Union. The people of Ireland adapt without any major confusion.
*January 9 - Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev receives the "Freedom of Dublin."
*March 7 - A referendum on a proposal to amend the Consititution to remove the threat of suicide as a ground for legal abortion is narrowly defeated.
*April 2 - Brendan Comiskey, the Catholic Bishop of Ferns resigns after criticism of his handling of abuses cases in the diocese.
*April 5 - The first recruits of the new Police Service of Northern Ireland graduate.
*May 17 - The Fianna Fáil-Progressive Democrats coalition is re-elected. It is the first government to be re-elected since 1969.
*June 1 - The Republic of Ireland begin their soccer world cup campaign
*October 11 - Geraldine Kennedy is appointed the first female editor of the "Irish Times".
*October 14 - As of midnight the Northern Ireland Assembly and the Executive are suspended by order of the Secretary of State.
*October 19 - Irish voters accept the "Nice Treaty" in the second referendum held on the issue.

Arts and literature

Politics

* General Election - The Fianna Fáil-Progressive Democrats government is returned to power. Fianna Fáil achieve 80 seats, just 4 short of an overall majority. Fine Gael lose 23 seats and the Labour Party remain static. Increased support for Sinn Féin results in 4 extra TDs. Michael Noonan resigns as leader of Fine Gael and Ruairí Quinn resigns as leader of the Labour Party.

port

Equestrianism

*Show Jumping::Dermott Lennon wins the individual Show Jumping World Championship on "Liscalgot"

Gaelic games

*All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final::Kilkenny 2-20 - 0-19 Clare
*All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final::Armagh 1-12 - 0-14 Kerry

Golf

*Murphy's Irish Open is won by Søren Hansen (Denmark).

Rugby Union

*2002 Six Nations Championship::Ireland lose to England and France
*"'2001-02 Heineken Cup::Munster and Leinster advance from the pool stage. Leinster are defeated in the quarter-finals while Munster are defeated by Leicester in the final.

occer

Football World Cup

::Group stage:::Republic of Ireland 1-1 Cameroon:::Republic of Ireland 1-1 Germany:::Republic of Ireland 3 - 0 Saudi Arabia::"Republic of Ireland qualify for the second round of the World Cup"::Knockout stage:::Republic of Ireland 1-1 Spain (Spain win 3-2 on penalties)::"Republic of Ireland are knocked out at the second round of the World Cup"

*Shelbourne win the League of Ireland championship for the tenth time.

Births

Deaths

January to June

*14 January - Colm Hilliard, Fianna Fáil TD (b.1936).
*16 January - Jim Tunney, former Fianna Fáil TD, Minister of State and Lord Mayor of Dublin (b.1923).
*22 February - Paddy Ambrose, soccer player and coach (b.1930).
*22 February - Brendan O'Dowda, tenor singer (b.1925).
*27 February - Spike Milligan, comedian, poet and writer (b.1918).
*14 March - Kevin Danaher, folklorist and writer (b.1913).
*8 May - Sylvester Barrett, former Fianna Fáil TD, Cabinet Minster and MEP (b.1926).
*30 May - John B. Keane, playwright, novelist and essayist (b.1928).

July to December

*1 August - Brendan Menton Sr., soccer administrator and president of the Football Association of Ireland (b.1912).
*28 August - Jim McFadden, ice hockey player (b.1920).
*4 September - David Molony, lawyer, former Fine Gael TD and Seanad member (b.1950).
*20 September - Pat Saward, soccer player (b.1928).
*17 October - Derek Bell, harpist and composer (b.1935).
*25 October - Richard Harris, actor (b.1930).
*2 November - Brian Behan, writer and trade unionist (b.1926).
*2 December - Jim Mitchell, former Fine Gael TD and Cabinet Minister (b.1946).
*3 December - Glenn Quinn, actor (b.1970).
*18 December - Lucy Grealy, poet and memoirist (b.1963).
*24 December - Alan Clodd, book collector, dealer and publisher (b.1918).

Full date unknown

*David Grene, classical scholar (b.1913).
*Frances Kelly, painter (b.1908).
*David Beers Quinn, historian (b.1909).
*Owen Walsh, artist (b.1933).