Today in History

Newlyweds Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex and Sophie Rhys Jones make their first overseas visit on August 27, 1999. The couple arrived at Dublin Castle to celebrate the opening of the Millennium Gold Encounter. Prince Edward attended as chairperson of the International Awards Association. … [Read more...] about August 27, 1999

Ireland-based Waterford Crystal's "Star of Hope" cut glass ball was selected by New York City on this day in 1999 to welcome the new millennium for Times Square's New Year's Eve. The glass ball had a six foot diameter and was covered with 572 crystal panels, each consisting of five diamond shapes. … [Read more...] about August 24, 1999

Three time Olympic gold medalist and Irish swimmer Michelle de Bruin was stripped of her swimming records on this day in 1999 and was officially banned from swimming competitively for four years after it was discovered that she had tampered with a required urine sample. De Bruin was suspected by many as having taken performance-enhancing drugs and the ban effectively ended her … [Read more...] about July 16, 1999

Fidelma Macken, former judge of the Supreme Court of Ireland, became the first woman ever appointed to the European Court of Justice on this day in 1999. Macken, who was educated at Trinity College Dublin and Kings Inn, currently serves as a High Court judge in Ireland. … [Read more...] about July 14, 1999

On this day in 1998, President Bill Clinton followed in the footsteps of fellow Irish American President John F. Kennedy and became a Freeman of Limerick. This day also marked the last day of President Clinton's visit to Ireland. During this visit, both Bill and Hillary visited the town of Omagh, which was still suffering the effects of the car bombing a month prior. … [Read more...] about September 5, 1998