2002 in Ireland

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Decades: 1980s • 1990s • 2000s • 2010s Centuries: 19th • 20th • 21st See also: 2002 in Northern Ireland Other events of 2002 List of years in Ireland

Events

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

Arts and literature

• 25 October – Peter Mullan's film The Magdalene Sisters released in Ireland.

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 Ruairi Quinn resigns as leader of the Labour Party.

Sport

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.

Soccer

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 for the tenth time.

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 Minister 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).