On this day in 1998, British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern meet at Ashford Castle, Co. Mayo to discuss peace processes in the aftermath of Omagh's August 15th car bombing. The two leaders decide to join forces in fighting terrorism and discuss possible laws for the future. … [Read more...] about August 26, 1998
Today in History
July 13, 1998
The second stage of the Tour de France takes place for the first time in Ireland and ends on July 13, 1998 in Cork. A crowd of almost 50,000 people turn out to watch this historic event. The race was won by Italian Marco Pantani, with German Jan Ullrich taking second and American Bobby Julich finishing in third. … [Read more...] about July 13, 1998
June 8, 1998
Irish playwright Martin McDonagh's debut play "The Beauty Queen of Leenane" wins four Tony awards for its 1998 Broadway production. Director Garry Hynes wins for best director, the first woman to do so at the Tonys. Marie Mullen wins best actress. Annie Manahan wins best supporting actress and Tom Murphy wins best supporting actor. The success of "The Beauty Queen of Leenane" … [Read more...] about June 8, 1998
October 15, 1995
Seamus Heaney won the Nobel Prize for Literature on this day in 1995. Heaney became the fourth Irish writer to be honored with the Nobel Prize, following WB Yeats, George Bernard Shaw, and Samuel Beckett. The Nobel committee awarded Heaney for his "works of lyrical beauty and ethical depth, which exalt everyday miracles and the living past." … [Read more...] about October 15, 1995
September 8, 1994
A Roundabout Theater Company revival of Brian Friel's famous 1964 play "Philadelphia Here I Come!" opens at the Criterion Center in New York. The production starred Robert Sean Leonard as Gareth O'Donnell as well as a supporting cast of notable Irish character actors, including Milo O'Shea, Pauline Flanagan, Leo Leyden and Jarlath Conroy. "This 1964 work established the Irish … [Read more...] about September 8, 1994