# 2008 in Ireland

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For Northern Ireland, see [2008 in Northern Ireland](/source/2008_in_Northern_Ireland).

Events from the year **2008 in Ireland**.

## Incumbents

- [President](/source/President_of_Ireland): [Mary McAleese](/source/Mary_McAleese)
- [Taoiseach](/source/Taoiseach): - [Bertie Ahern](/source/Bertie_Ahern) ([FF](/source/Fianna_F%C3%A1il)) (until 7 May 2008) - [Brian Cowen](/source/Brian_Cowen) ([FF](/source/Fianna_F%C3%A1il)) (from 7 May 2008)
- [Tánaiste](/source/T%C3%A1naiste): - [Brian Cowen](/source/Brian_Cowen) ([FF](/source/Fianna_F%C3%A1il)) (until 7 May 2008) - [Mary Coughlan](/source/Mary_Coughlan_(politician)) ([FF](/source/Fianna_F%C3%A1il)) (from 7 May 2008)
- [Minister for Finance](/source/Minister_for_Finance_(Ireland)): - [Brian Cowen](/source/Brian_Cowen) ([FF](/source/Fianna_F%C3%A1il)) (until 7 May 2008) - [Brian Lenihan](/source/Brian_Lenihan_Jnr) ([FF](/source/Fianna_F%C3%A1il)) (from 7 May 2008)
- [Chief Justice](/source/Chief_Justice_of_Ireland): [John L. Murray](/source/John_L._Murray_(judge))
- [Dáil](/source/D%C3%A1il_%C3%89ireann): [30th](/source/30th_D%C3%A1il)
- [Seanad](/source/Seanad_%C3%89ireann): [23rd](/source/23rd_Seanad)

## Events

### January

- 2 January – The [Burlington Hotel](/source/Burlington_Hotel_(Dublin)) in [Dublin](/source/Dublin) closed after 36 years in business with the loss of 400 jobs.[1]
- 4 January – An unforecast blizzard hit the country, leading to the heaviest snowfall in Ireland since December 2000.
- 8 January – [Clare O'Leary](/source/Clare_O'Leary) became the first Irish woman to reach the [South Pole](/source/South_Pole).
- 9 January – After days of heavy rainfall in the southwest, serious flooding occurred in [Fermoy](/source/Fermoy) and [Mallow](/source/Mallow,_County_Cork) with parts of Mallow under 1.3 metres of water.[2]
- 13 January – Following months of protest, [Aer Lingus](/source/Aer_Lingus) completed its last [Shannon](/source/Shannon_Airport) to [Heathrow](/source/London_Heathrow_Airport) flight.
- 16 January – Wayne O'Donoghue was released from prison after serving three years of a four-year jail term for the manslaughter of Robert Holohan (aged 11) in January 2005.[3]
- 21 January – €4bn was wiped off the [Irish Stock Exchange](/source/Irish_Stock_Exchange) due to the effects of the [2008 financial crisis](/source/2008_financial_crisis).
- 23 January – The brother of a [Real IRA](/source/Real_Irish_Republican_Army) leader was one of two Irish citizens arrested in [Lithuania](/source/Lithuania) on suspicion of buying firearms and explosives for the Real IRA.[4]
- 25 January – The closure of the [Jacob's](/source/Jacob's) biscuit plant in [Tallaght](/source/Tallaght), County Dublin, was announced, with the loss of 220 jobs by March 2009.[5]
- 26 January – [Martin Foley](/source/Martin_Foley_(criminal)) ("The Viper") was shot in Dublin possibly as part of a feud between criminal gangs. It was the fifth failed attempt on Foley's life.[6]

### February

- 1 February – The [Taoiseach](/source/Taoiseach), [Bertie Ahern](/source/Bertie_Ahern), travelled to [Ballymena](/source/Ballymena), County Antrim to meet the Northern Ireland [First Minister](/source/Office_of_the_First_Minister_and_Deputy_First_Minister), [Ian Paisley](/source/Ian_Paisley), and open a resort and spa.[7]
- 4 February – Dublin-based gangland criminal, Paddy Doyle, was shot dead in Southern Spain.[8]
- 6 February – [Éamon Ó Cuív](/source/%C3%89amon_%C3%93_Cu%C3%ADv), [Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs](/source/Minister_for_Children,_Disability_and_Equality), announced a €250,000 grant to allow [Orange Lodges](/source/Orange_Institution) to employ a development officer.[9]
- 13 February – Italian coach [Giovanni Trapattoni](/source/Giovanni_Trapattoni) was confirmed as the new manager of the [Irish football team](/source/Republic_of_Ireland_national_football_team).
- 23 February – Two Polish men were attacked with screwdrivers by a gang of teenagers in [Drimnagh](/source/Drimnagh) in Dublin. Both died later from their injuries.
- 29 February – Ireland became the 22nd nation to [recognise Kosovan independence](/source/International_recognition_of_Kosovo).

### March

- 5 March – A jury found Brian Kearney guilty of the murder of his wife, Siobhán Kearney, at their home in [Goatstown](/source/Goatstown), Dublin in February 2006.[10]
- 12 March – [Libertas](/source/Libertas_Institute_(Ireland)) lobby group launched a campaign called *Facts, not politics* which advocated a No vote in the [Treaty of Lisbon](/source/Treaty_of_Lisbon) [referendum](/source/Twenty-eighth_Amendment_of_the_Constitution_Bill,_2008_(Ireland)).[11]
- 14 March – The [Economic and Social Research Institute](/source/Economic_and_Social_Research_Institute) predicted that economic growth in Ireland for 2008 will be 1.6%, the lowest level since 1988. It was also forecast that no new jobs will be added to the Irish economy for the first time since 1991.[12]
- 24 March – [RTÉ](/source/RT%C3%89) last broadcast radio programmes on the [medium wave](/source/Medium_wave).[13]
- 26 March – Farmer Michael Hanrahan, 60, and his son Denis Hanrahan, 27, were found shot dead at their home in [Moyvane](/source/Moyvane), County Kerry.

### April

- 2 April – Bertie Ahern announced that he would resign as Taoiseach on 6 May.
- 8 April – [Brian Cowen](/source/Brian_Cowen) was elected as the seventh leader of the [Fianna Fáil](/source/Fianna_F%C3%A1il) party.
- 12 April – [Patrick Hillery](/source/Patrick_Hillery), sixth [Irish President](/source/President_of_Ireland), former government minister, and [European Commissioner](/source/European_Commissioner), died aged 84.
- 15 April – The legal case of broadcaster [Pat Kenny](/source/Pat_Kenny) and his neighbour, Gerard Charlrton, involving the [claiming of an area of land](/source/Adverse_possession) near their home, was settled in court. It was decided that Kenny would pay an undisclosed sum of money for the land called Gorse Hill.
- 17 April – [Ciarán Cannon](/source/Ciar%C3%A1n_Cannon) became the leader of the [Progressive Democrats](/source/Progressive_Democrats) party.
- 21 April – It was revealed that four laptop computers belonging to [Bank of Ireland](/source/Bank_of_Ireland) and containing personal information of approximately 10,000 customers were stolen between June and October 2007.
- 30 April – Bertie Ahern became the sixth Irish leader to address both houses of the [United States Congress](/source/United_States_Congress).

### May

- 6 May – As part of one of his last engagements as Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern opened a new visitors centre at the site of the [Battle of the Boyne](/source/Battle_of_the_Boyne) in [County Meath](/source/County_Meath) alongside Northern Ireland First Minister [Ian Paisley](/source/Ian_Paisley).
- 7 May – [Dáil Éireann](/source/D%C3%A1il_%C3%89ireann) elected Fianna Fáil leader Brian Cowen as Taoiseach.
- 10 May – Sixteen-year-old Roman Vysochan, a Ukrainian national, was found stabbed to death in Corbally on the outskirts of [Limerick](/source/Limerick).
- 11 May – A 51-year-old man was killed and another seriously injured in a small plane crash in [Kilmovee](/source/Kilmovee), County Mayo.
- 14 May – An excavation was carried out in the [Slieve Bloom Mountains](/source/Slieve_Bloom_Mountains) for the remains of Fiona Pender, who was missing since 1996, following the discovery of a cross with her name printed on it.
- 20 May – The television puppet [Dustin the Turkey](/source/Dustin_the_Turkey) failed to qualify for the [Eurovision Song Contest 2008](/source/Eurovision_Song_Contest_2008) after being knocked out at the first semi-finals stage.
- 24 May – Celebrations took place across [Munster](/source/Munster) as the [Munster rugby team](/source/Munster_rugby) beat [Toulouse](/source/Stade_Toulousain) 16–13 in the [2007–08 Heineken Cup](/source/2007%E2%80%9308_Heineken_Cup) at the [Millennium Stadium](/source/Millennium_Stadium) in [Cardiff](/source/Cardiff), Wales.
- 30 May – The international [Convention on Cluster Munitions](/source/Convention_on_Cluster_Munitions) was adopted at the end of a ten-day diplomatic conference in [Croke Park](/source/Croke_Park), Dublin.

### June

- [Treaty of Lisbon Referendum](/source/Twenty-eighth_Amendment_of_the_Constitution_Bill,_2008_(Ireland)): - 12 June – Irish citizens voted on whether to amend the [Irish Constitution](/source/Constitution_of_Ireland) in order to [ratify](/source/Ratification) the [European Union](/source/European_Union)-reforming [Lisbon Treaty](/source/Lisbon_Treaty). - 13 June – The result of the Lisbon Treaty vote was 53% voting "No" and 47% voting "Yes" meaning that the proposed amendment to the Irish Constitution and ratification of the Lisbon Treaty were both rejected.
- 16 June – [Minister for Foreign Affairs](/source/Minister_for_Foreign_Affairs_and_Trade), [Micheál Martin](/source/Miche%C3%A1l_Martin), met with European Union leaders to discuss the future of the Lisbon Treaty.
- 28 June – A syndicate of workers at a concrete products plant in [County Carlow](/source/County_Carlow) became the winners of Ireland's biggest ever [national lottery](/source/National_Lottery_(Ireland)) jackpot of €18,963,441.
- 30 June – The law requiring [learner drivers](/source/L-plate) on a [second provisional licence](/source/Driving_licence_in_the_Republic_of_Ireland) to be accompanied by a fully qualified driver came into effect.

### July

- 1 July – New [vehicle registration tax](/source/Vehicle_registration_tax_(Ireland)) rates based on carbon dioxide emissions were introduced.
- 8 July – The [Department of Finance](/source/Department_of_Finance_(Ireland)) announced a €440m spending cutback in the Government budget, including a €144m deduction from the [Department of Health and Children](/source/Department_of_Health_(Ireland)).
- 11–13 July – The [Oxegen 2008](/source/Oxegen_2008) music festival took place at [Punchestown Racecourse](/source/Punchestown_Racecourse) in [County Kildare](/source/County_Kildare).
- 21 July – French President [Nicolas Sarkozy](/source/Nicolas_Sarkozy) visited Ireland to discuss the future of the Lisbon Treaty with Taoiseach Brian Cowen.
- 28 July – The [Ryanair](/source/Ryanair) airline revealed a loss in profit for the first time since becoming a [public company](/source/Public_company) in 1997.
- 31 July – [Heavy rainfall](/source/2008_Irish_flash_floods) brought [flash floods](/source/Flash_floods) to [Newcastle West](/source/Newcastle_West) in [County Limerick](/source/County_Limerick) and [Mallow, County Cork](/source/Mallow,_County_Cork).

### August

- 2 to 10 August – [Jamboree 2008](/source/Jamboree_2008_(Ireland)), an international scouting Jamboree, took place in [Punchestown](/source/Punchestown), County Dublin.
- 3 August – [Ger McDonnell](/source/Ger_McDonnell) (37), the first Irishman to reach the summit of the [K2](/source/K2) mountain in Pakistan, was presumed dead after being [hit by falling ice upon descent](/source/2008_K2_disaster).
- 9 August – [Chloe Magee](/source/Chloe_Magee) became the first Irish Olympian to win a [badminton match](/source/Badminton_at_the_2008_Summer_Olympics_%E2%80%93_Women's_singles) at the [2008 Beijing Olympics](/source/2008_Summer_Olympics).[14]
- 9 August – Flash floods occurred in [County Dublin](/source/County_Dublin) and [County Kildare](/source/County_Kildare) due to [record rainfalls](/source/2008_Irish_flash_floods) of approximately 80 litres per square metre.
- 10 August – Golfer [Pádraig Harrington](/source/P%C3%A1draig_Harrington) won the [US PGA Championship](/source/2008_PGA_Championship), his third [major](/source/Men's_major_golf_championships) win.
- 16 August – A [Dublin](/source/Dublin) to [Cork](/source/Cork_(city)) train derailed south of [Portarlington, County Laois](/source/Portarlington,_County_Laois).
- 22 August – [A bogslide](/source/2008_Kerry_bogslide) displaced 30,000 people and caused massive ecological and infrastructural damage in [County Kerry](/source/County_Kerry).

### September

- Early September – The 68-metre [Elysian](/source/The_Elysian) building was completed in [Cork](/source/Cork_(city)) as the [tallest storeyed building in the Republic of Ireland](/source/List_of_tallest_structures_in_Ireland#Tallest_storeyed_buildings).
- 3 September – Ireland's unemployment rate reached 6.1%, the highest since 1999.
- 7 September – [Kilkenny](/source/Kilkenny_GAA) beat [Waterford](/source/Waterford_GAA) 3–30 to 1–13 in the final of the [All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship 2008](/source/All-Ireland_Senior_Hurling_Championship_2008).
- 19 September – Three people suffered minor injuries following a helicopter crash in a school playground in [Bettystown](/source/Bettystown), [County Meath](/source/County_Meath).
- 21 September – The [Tyrone](/source/Tyrone_GAA) football team beat [Kerry](/source/Kerry_GAA) 1–15 to 0–14 to be crowned [All-Ireland Senior Football Championship 2008](/source/All-Ireland_Senior_Football_Championship_2008) winners.
- 25 September – It was announced that the Irish economy had officially entered recession in January 2008 for the first time since 1983.
- 30 September – The Government decided during the night to offer a €400 billion guarantee to, initially, six leading Irish banks to prevent their collapse due to the worldwide [Great Recession](/source/Great_Recession).

### October

- 2 October – For the first time in its history since 1922, [Seanad Éireann](/source/Seanad_%C3%89ireann) (the Irish Senate) began debate of a bill after midnight, the [Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Act 2008](/source/Credit_Institutions_(Financial_Support)_Act_2008) which it passed at 8 am.
- 7 October – Amateur astronomer Dave McDonald in [Celbridge](/source/Celbridge), County Kildare discovered [asteroid](/source/Asteroid) (281507) 2008 TM9, only the third [minor planet](/source/Minor_planet) found by observation from Ireland, the last ([9 Metis](/source/9_Metis)) being found by [Andrew Graham](/source/Andrew_Graham_(astronomer)) at [Markree Observatory](/source/Markree_Observatory) in [County Sligo](/source/County_Sligo) on 25 April 1848.[15][16]
- 14 October – Minister for Finance [Brian Lenihan](/source/Brian_Lenihan_Jnr) unveiled [Budget 2009](/source/2009_Irish_emergency_budget), the toughest government budget in recent years and also the most controversial. He announced that the automatic entitlement of over-70s pensioners to a medical card, entitling them to free medical care, would be withdrawn, all workers would be exposed to a 1% income level,[clarification needed] and an increase in college fees would come into effect.
- 21 October – Following country-wide outrage, Taoiseach Brian Cowen increased the higher income thresholds for the elderly that would allow 95% of those over 70 to retain their full medical cards.
- 22 October – Over [25,000 old age pensioners and angry students marched](/source/2009_Irish_budget) on [Dáil Éireann](/source/D%C3%A1il_%C3%89ireann) to protest at their treatment in the [government budget](/source/Government_budget).
- 25 October – Two adults and two teenagers from [Bristol](/source/Bristol), England were killed in a plane crash in the [Wicklow Mountains](/source/Wicklow_Mountains).[17]

### November

- 6 November – €750 million worth of cocaine was seized off the Irish coast in [Operation Seabight](/source/Operation_Seabight).
- 8 November – Rugby player [Shane Geoghegan](/source/Shane_Geoghegan) was shot dead outside his home in [Limerick](/source/Limerick) in a case of mistaken identity. The murder led to a nationwide appeal to the end of gangland killing in Ireland.

### December

- 6 December – [2008 Irish pork crisis](/source/2008_Irish_pork_crisis): All Irish pork products were recalled following an announcement that [animal feed](/source/Compound_feed) used since 1 September might contain between 80 and 200 more times [dioxins](/source/Dioxins_and_dioxin-like_compounds) than the recognised safety limit.
- 11 December – Irish pork was confirmed to be safe and began to return to the market.
- 15 December – [Celine Cawley](/source/Celine_Cawley), founder and manager of the advertising agency Toytown Films and a former [Bond girl](/source/Bond_girl) (*[A View to a Kill](/source/A_View_to_a_Kill))*, was found murdered at her home in [Howth](/source/Howth), Dublin.[18]
- 20 December – [Labour Party](/source/Labour_Party_(Ireland)) [Teachta Dála](/source/Teachta_D%C3%A1la) [Sean Sherlock](/source/Sean_Sherlock) called on [Bishop of Cloyne](/source/Roman_Catholic_Diocese_of_Cloyne), [John Magee](/source/John_Magee_(bishop)) to resign after a report on child sexual abuse by clergy in his diocese found the [Roman Catholic Church](/source/Roman_Catholic_Church) had not responded appropriately to abuse allegations.[19]
- 31 December – Three teenagers in [Nenagh](/source/Nenagh), County Tipperary became the final Irish road traffic accident victims of 2008, a year which ended with the fewest traffic deaths since records began, according to Transport Minister [Noel Dempsey](/source/Noel_Dempsey).[20]

### Year long

- [Scouting in Ireland](/source/Scouting_in_Ireland) celebrated its centenary. Events to celebrate were planned throughout the year with the [National Jamboree](/source/Jamboree_2008_(Ireland)) and an exhibition in the [National Museum](/source/Collins_Barracks_(Dublin)) as highlights.

## Arts and literature

See also: [2008 in Irish music](/source/2008_in_Irish_music)

- 9 September – [Elaine Murphy](/source/Elaine_Murphy_(playwright))'s play *[Little Gem](/source/Little_Gem)* debuted in Dublin.
- 29 September – [Sebastian Barry](/source/Sebastian_Barry)'s novel *[The Secret Scripture](/source/The_Secret_Scripture)* was published and won the [James Tait Black Memorial Prize](/source/James_Tait_Black_Memorial_Prize) in fiction, Book of the Year in the [2008 Costa Book Awards](/source/2008_Costa_Book_Awards) and Irish Novel in the 2009 [Irish Book Awards](/source/Irish_Book_Awards).
- 1 December – [Raidió Teilifís Éireann](/source/Raidi%C3%B3_Teilif%C3%ADs_%C3%89ireann)'s [digital radio](/source/Digital_radio) revolution began with the official launch of five new digital radio and broadband services which had been on trial for twenty months. They were [RTÉ Choice](/source/RT%C3%89_Choice), a sister speech station to [RTÉ Radio 1](/source/RT%C3%89_Radio_1); easy listening and ambient service [RTÉ Chill](/source/RT%C3%89_Chill); [RTÉ Junior](/source/RT%C3%89_Junior), which was aimed at two to ten-year-olds; the dance-based [RTÉ Pulse](/source/RT%C3%89_Pulse); and [RTÉ 2XM](/source/RT%C3%89_2XM), a sister station to the rock and indie components of [RTÉ 2fm](/source/RT%C3%89_2fm).[21]
- [Sorj Chalandon](/source/Sorj_Chalandon)'s novel *[My Traitor](/source/My_Traitor)* was published.
- [Marian Keyes](/source/Marian_Keyes)' novel *[This Charming Man](/source/This_Charming_Man_(novel))* was published and won the Popular Fiction award in the 2009 Irish Book Awards.

## Sport

### Association football

- **Internationals**

- 6 February – [Ireland](/source/Republic_of_Ireland_national_football_team) 0–1 [Brazil](/source/Brazil_national_football_team)
- 24 May – Ireland 1–1 [Serbia](/source/Serbia_national_football_team)

- **[World Cup 2010 Qualifiers](/source/2010_FIFA_World_Cup_qualification_(UEFA))**[22]

- 6 September – [Georgia](/source/Georgia_national_football_team) 1–2 Ireland
- 10 September – [Montenegro](/source/Montenegro_national_football_team) 0–0 Ireland
- 15 October – Ireland 1–0 [Cyprus](/source/Cyprus_national_football_team)

- **[Setanta Sports Cup](/source/Setanta_Sports_Cup)** - [Summary](/source/2008_Setanta_Sports_Cup) - Winner: [Cork City](/source/Cork_City_FC)
- **[League of Ireland](/source/League_of_Ireland)** - [Summary](/source/2008_League_of_Ireland) - [Div.Premier](/source/League_of_Ireland_Premier_Division) winner: [Bohemians](/source/Bohemian_F.C.) - [Div. 1](/source/League_of_Ireland_First_Division) winner: [Dundalk](/source/Dundalk_F.C.) - [Div.A](/source/A_Championship) winner: [Mervue United](/source/Mervue_United_A.F.C.)
- **[FAI Cup](/source/FAI_Cup)** - [Summary](/source/FAI_Cup_2008) ([Final](/source/2008_FAI_Cup_Final)) - Winner: [Bohemians](/source/Bohemian_F.C.)

### Athletics

- 26 January-27 January – Irish Indoor Athletics Championships, [Odyssey Arena](/source/Odyssey_(Belfast)), [Belfast](/source/Belfast).

### Gaelic games

- [Football](/source/Gaelic_football)

- [All-Ireland Senior Football Championship 2008](/source/All-Ireland_Senior_Football_Championship_2008) (Winners – [Tyrone](/source/Tyrone_GAA))
- [National Football League 2008](/source/National_Football_League_(Ireland)_2008) (Winners – [Derry](/source/Derry_GAA))

- [Hurling](/source/Hurling)

- [All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship 2008](/source/All-Ireland_Senior_Hurling_Championship_2008) (Winners – [Kilkenny](/source/Kilkenny_GAA))
- [National Hurling League 2008](/source/National_Hurling_League_2008) (Winners – [Tipperary](/source/Tipperary_GAA))

### Golf

- Irish Open – [Adare Manor](/source/Adare_Manor), May 2008 (winner – [Richard Finch](/source/Richard_Finch_(golfer)))

### Rugby league

**[2008 Rugby League World Cup](/source/2008_Rugby_League_World_Cup)**- Ireland reach the final 6 knockout stage

### Rugby union

**[2008 Six Nations Championship](/source/2008_Six_Nations_Championship)**- 2 February – [Ireland](/source/Ireland_national_rugby_union_team) 16–11 [Italy](/source/Italy_national_rugby_union_team)
- 9 February – [France](/source/France_national_rugby_union_team) 26–21 Ireland
- 23 February – Ireland 34–13 [Scotland](/source/Scotland_national_rugby_union_team)
- 8 March – Ireland 12–16 [Wales](/source/Wales_national_rugby_union_team)
- 15 March – [England](/source/England_national_rugby_union_team) 33–0 Ireland

Ireland come fourth, their lowest finishing position since 1999

**[2007–08 Heineken Cup](/source/2007%E2%80%9308_Heineken_Cup)**- [Munster](/source/Munster_rugby) champions – Toulouse 13–16 Munster

### Olympics

**[Beijing Olympics](/source/2008_Summer_Olympics)**- [Ireland at the 2008 Summer Olympics](/source/Ireland_at_the_2008_Summer_Olympics) – 3 medals
- [Ireland at the 2008 Summer Paralympics](/source/Ireland_at_the_2008_Summer_Paralympics) – 5 medals

## Deaths

- 1 January - [Philip Hogarty](/source/Philip_Hogarty), 19, chair of the Irish Chess Union, killed by a [Garda](/source/Garda_S%C3%ADoch%C3%A1na) patrol car. - [Peter Caffrey](/source/Peter_Caffrey), actor (born 1949).
- 3 January – [John O'Donohue](/source/John_O'Donohue), poet and philosopher (born 1956).
- 26 January – [Raymond Daniels](/source/Raymond_Daniels_(Gaelic_footballer)), [Wicklow](/source/Wicklow_GAA) Gaelic footballer (born 1979).[23]
- 27 January – Dan Kavanagh, 87, [Kerry](/source/Kerry_GAA) [Gaelic footballer](/source/Gaelic_football).
- 13 February – Paul Goldin, [hypnotist](/source/Hypnotist).[24]
- 20 February – [Bríd Mahon](/source/Br%C3%ADd_Mahon), 85, folklorist (born 1922).
- 23 February – [Jim English](/source/Jim_English), [Wexford](/source/Wexford_GAA) [hurler](/source/Hurling) (born 1932).
- 29 February – [Chris Cary](/source/Chris_Cary), 61, broadcaster and founder of [Radio Nova](/source/Radio_Nova_(Ireland)). Died in on a working trip in Tenerife from a stroke.
- 5 March – [Jimmy Faulkner](/source/Jimmy_Faulkner), guitarist with [Christy Moore](/source/Christy_Moore) and other groups.[25]
- 6 March – [Garry McMahon](/source/Garry_McMahon), 70, [Kerry](/source/Kerry_GAA) Gaelic footballer.[26]
- 3 April – Brendan O'Brien, 67, musician (The Dixies), probable [heart attack](/source/Myocardial_infarction).[27]
- 4 April – [Pat Stakelum](/source/Pat_Stakelum), [Tipperary](/source/Tipperary_GAA) hurler (born 1927).
- 12 April – [Patrick Hillery](/source/Patrick_Hillery), 84, former President of Ireland.
- 13 April – [Michael Mills](/source/Michael_Mills_(journalist)), 80, former journalist and Ireland's first [government ombudsman](/source/Ombudsman#Ireland) (1984–1994).[28]
- 28 April – [John Barron](/source/John_Barron_(hurler)), 74, former [Waterford](/source/Waterford_GAA) hurler.
- 2 May – [Martin Codd](/source/Martin_Codd), former [Wexford](/source/Wexford_GAA) hurler (born 1929).
- 9 May – [Nuala O'Faolain](/source/Nuala_O'Faolain), 68, journalist and writer.
- 21 May – [Brian Keenan](/source/Brian_Keenan_(Irish_republican)), 66, [Provisional Irish Republican Army](/source/Provisional_Irish_Republican_Army) member.
- 31 May – [Terry Keane](/source/Terry_Keane), 68, former gossip columnist.
- 28 June - [Christopher "Crip" McWilliams](/source/Christopher_%22Crip%22_McWilliams), 44, member of the [INLA](/source/Irish_National_Liberation_Army), convicted murderer, cancer.[29] - 28 June – [Paddy Canny](/source/Paddy_Canny), 89, fiddle player.
- 9 July – [Séamus Brennan](/source/S%C3%A9amus_Brennan), 60, Fianna Fáil [TD](/source/Teachta_D%C3%A1la) and former government minister.
- 22 July – [Paudie O'Donoghue](/source/Paudie_O'Donoghue), 64, former [Kerry](/source/Kerry_GAA) Gaelic footballer.
- 2 August – [Ger McDonnell](/source/Ger_McDonnell), 37, mountaineer, first Irishman to reach summit of K2, [climbing accident](/source/2008_K2_disaster).[30]
- 3 August – Con O'Shea, former [Kerry](/source/Kerry_GAA) Gaelic footballer.
- 9 August – [Colm Condon](/source/Colm_Condon), 87, lawyer, [Attorney General](/source/Attorney_General_of_Ireland) (1965–1973).[31]
- 13 August – [Nollaig Ó Gadhra](/source/Nollaig_%C3%93_Gadhra), 64, Irish language activist, journalist and historian, co-founder of [Teilifís na Gaeilge](/source/Teilif%C3%ADs_na_Gaeilge).[32]

- 16 August – [Ronnie Drew](/source/Ronnie_Drew), 73, singer, founding member of [The Dubliners](/source/The_Dubliners), after long illness.[33]
- 28 August – Larry Fanning, 86, former [Waterford](/source/Waterford_GAA) hurler.
- 15 September – Ciaran Duffy, 42, managing director of [Namibia Breweries Limited](/source/Namibia_Breweries_Limited), cancer.[34]
- 21 September – [Paul Tansey](/source/Paul_Tansey), 59, economics editor of *[The Irish Times](/source/The_Irish_Times)*.[35]
- 24 September – [Claude Wilton](/source/Claude_Wilton), 89, Northern Irish politician, solicitor and civil rights campaigner
- 26 September – [Bernadette Greevy](/source/Bernadette_Greevy), 68, [mezzo-soprano](/source/Mezzo-soprano).
- 11 October – [Willie John Ring](/source/Willie_John_Ring), 91, [Cork](/source/Cork_GAA) hurler.[36]
- 16 October – Greg Fives, 59, [Waterford](/source/Waterford_GAA) Gaelic football [manager](/source/Manager_(Gaelic_Games)).

## See also

- [2008 in Irish television](/source/2008_in_Irish_television)

## References

1. ["Dublin's Burlington Hotel closes today"](http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0102/jurys-business.html). *RTÉ Business*. 2 January 2008. Retrieved 8 February 2008.

1. [RTÉ News](http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0110/weather.html)

1. Labanyi, David (16 January 2008). ["Wayne O'Donoghue released from prison"](http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2008/0116/breaking4.html?via=mr). *[The Irish Times](/source/The_Irish_Times)*. Retrieved 8 February 2008.

1. McDonald, Henry (23 January 2008). ["Real IRA man's brother arrested in Lithuania weapons sting"](https://www.theguardian.com/Northern_Ireland/Story/0,,2245593,00.html). *[The Guardian](/source/The_Guardian)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20080124183630/http://www.guardian.co.uk/Northern_Ireland/Story/0%2C%2C2245593%2C00.html) 24 January 2008 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 8 February 2008.

1. ["Jacob Fruitfield factory to lay off 220 staff"](http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2008/0125/breaking51.htm). *[The Irish Times](/source/The_Irish_Times)*. 25 January 2008. Retrieved 8 February 2008.

1. ["Criminal Foley remains critical after shooting"](http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0126/dublin1.html?rss). *RTÉ News*. 26 January 2008. Retrieved 8 February 2008.

1. McGinn, Dan (1 February 2008). "Taoiseach bound for Ballymena". *[The Belfast Telegraph](/source/The_Belfast_Telegraph)*. p. 2.

1. ["Irish criminal shot and killed in Spain"](http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2008/0204/breaking59.htm). *[The Irish Times](/source/The_Irish_Times)*. 4 February 2008. Retrieved 10 February 2008.

1. McNeilly, Claire (5 February 2008). "Dublin funds new Orange post". *[The Belfast Telegraph](/source/The_Belfast_Telegraph)*. p. 5.

1. ["Brian Kearney given life sentence for murder of Siobhán"](http://www.independent.ie/breaking-news/national-news/brian-kearney-given-life-sentence-for-murder-of-siobhn-1307775.html). *Irish Independent*. 5 March 2008. Retrieved 1 April 2009.

1. ["Anti-Lisbon treaty campaign was launched"](http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0312/eulisbon.html). [RTÉ News](/source/RT%C3%89_News). 12 March 2008. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20090414010729/http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0312/eulisbon.html) 14 April 2009 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 1 April 2009.

1. ["20-year low in economic growth predicted"](http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0314/economy.html). *RTÉ News*. [RTÉ](/source/RT%C3%89). 14 March 2008. Retrieved 1 April 2009.

1. ["Medium wave of nostalgia"](http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/weekend/2008/0329/1206144830168.html). *The Irish Times*. 29 March 2008. Retrieved 3 February 2010.

1. ["Magee reveals her winning secret"](https://web.archive.org/web/20080902032933/http://www.rte.ie/sport/olympics2008/2008/0809/mageec.html). *[RTÉ](/source/RT%C3%89)*. 9 August 2008. Archived from [the original](http://www.rte.ie/sport/olympics2008/2008/0809/mageec.html) on 2 September 2008. Retrieved 9 August 2008.

1. [A star is born in a back garden](https://m.independent.ie/irish-news/a-star-is-born-in-a-back-garden-26483303.html) Irish Independent, 2008-10-10.

1. [Dave McDonalds asteroid discovery now numbered. (281507)](https://www.irishastronomy.org/kunena?view=topic&catid=11&id=89791) Irish Federation of Astronomical Societies. Retrieved: 2023-03-24.

1. [Fatal plane crash investigated](http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/1026/109683-missing/) RTÉ News, 2008-10-28.

1. ["Witnesses to Howth murder sought"](http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/1215/cawleyc.html). [RTÉ](/source/RT%C3%89). 15 December 2008. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20090118072748/http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/1215/cawleyc.html) 18 January 2009 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 9 January 2009.

1. ["Call for Bishop of Cloyne to consider position"](http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/1220/abuse.html). [RTÉ](/source/RT%C3%89). 20 December 2008. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20081223024024/http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/1220/abuse.html) 23 December 2008 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 9 January 2009.

1. ["Three teenagers die in car crash"](http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0101/rta.html). [RTÉ](/source/RT%C3%89). 1 January 2009. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20090101200119/http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0101/rta.html) 1 January 2009 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 9 January 2009.

1. ["2XM Promises to take risks"](http://www.hotpress.com/news/5049478.html). *[Hot Press](/source/Hot_Press_(magazine))*. 18 November 2008. Retrieved 2008-11-18.

1. ["Matches – 2010 FIFA World Cup"](https://web.archive.org/web/20080206081007/http://fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/europe/teams/team%3D43953/fixturesresults.html). *FIFA*. Archived from [the original](https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/europe/teams/team=43953/fixturesresults.html) on 6 February 2008. Retrieved 27 January 2008.

1. [GAA star dies on night out](http://www.independent.ie/national-news/gaa-star-dies-on-night-out-1275631.html) Irish Independent, 2008-01-28.

1. [Hypnotist Paul Goldin dies in Dublin](http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2008/0213/breaking59.htm) Irish Times, 2008-02-13.

1. [Jimmy Faulkner](http://www.rte.ie/arts/2008/0305/faulknerj.html) RTÉ, 2008-03-05. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20080308193145/http://www.rte.ie/arts/2008/0305/faulknerj.html) 8 March 2008 at the Wayback Machine

1. [Sideline View . . . with Martin Kiely](http://www.limerickleader.ie/farmleader/Sideline-View---.3870617.jp) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20110116073611/http://www.limerickleader.ie/farmleader/Sideline-View---.3870617.jp) 16 January 2011 at the Wayback Machine Limerick Leader, 2008-03-12.

1. [Brendan O'Brien](http://www.rte.ie/arts/2008/0404/obrienb.html) RTÉ, 2008-04-04. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20080408013652/http://www.rte.ie/arts/2008/0404/obrienb.html) 8 April 2008 at the Wayback Machine

1. [Former Ombudsman Michael Mills dies](http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0414/101984-millsm/) RTÉ News, 2008-04-14.

1. ["Billy Wright's killer dies of cancer"](http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0628/105110-billywright/). *[RTÉ.ie](/source/RT%C3%89.ie)*. 28 June 2008.

1. [\[1\]](http://www.irishecho.com/newspaper/story.cfm?id=18790) Irish Echo [Archived](https://archive.today/20080902024331/http://www.irishecho.com/newspaper/story.cfm?id=18790) 2 September 2008 at archive.today

1. [\[2\]](http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/obituaries/article4607229.ece)[dead link] The Times (subscription required)

1. [Cowen leads tributes to Nollaig Ó Gadhra](http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/0815/1218477654087.html) Irish Times, 2008-08-15.

1. [Dubliners Musician Ronnie Drew Dies](https://web.archive.org/web/20080819030427/http://www.kerryman.ie/breaking-news/national-news/dubliners-musician-ronnie-drew-dies-1457347.html) The Kerryman, 2008.

1. [Namibia: Former Breweries MD Passes Away](http://allafrica.com/stories/200809220915.html) All Africa, 2008-09-22.

1. [Irish Times' Paul Tansey dies suddenly](http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0922/tanseyp.html) RTÉ News, 2008-09-22.

1. ["The death has occurred of Willie John RING"](https://rip.ie/death-notice/willie-john-ring-cork-cloyne-54733). rip.ie. 13 October 2008. Retrieved 14 August 2023.

## External links

- [2008](http://www.rte.ie/tv/reelingintheyears/2008.html) at *[Reeling in the Years](/source/Reeling_in_the_Years)*

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [2008 in Ireland](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_in_Ireland) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_in_Ireland?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.