2002 in Ireland

← 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 2002 in Ireland → 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
Centuries:	19th 20th 21st
Decades:	1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s
See also:	2002 in Northern Ireland Other events of 2002 List of years in Ireland

Events from the year 2002 in Ireland.

Incumbents

• President: Mary McAleese (Independent)
• Taoiseach: Bertie Ahern (Fianna Fáil)

Events

• 1 January – The euro currency is introduced across the European Union. The people of the Republic of Ireland adapt to the loss of the Irish pound without any major confusion.
• 9 January – Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev receives the Freedom of the City of Dublin.
• 7 March – A referendum on a proposal to amend the Constitution to remove the threat of suicide as a ground for legal abortion is narrowly defeated.
• 21 March – The third Coimisiún na Gaeltachta publishes its report on strengthening the role of the Irish language in the Gaeltacht.
• 2 April – Brendan Comiskey, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Ferns resigns after criticism of his handling of abuse cases in the diocese.
• 5 April – The first recruits of the new Police Service of Northern Ireland graduate.
• 17 May – 2002 general election: The Fianna Fáil-Progressive Democrats coalition is re-elected. It is the first government to be re-elected since 1969. Fianna Fáil achieve 80 seats, just four short of an overall majority. Fine Gael lose 23 seats and Labour remains static. Increased support for Sinn Féin results in four extra TDs. Michael Noonan resigns as leader of Fine Gael and Ruairi Quinn resigns as leader of the Labour Party.
• 1 June – The Republic of Ireland national football team begins its 2002 FIFA World Cup campaign. It will be knocked out in the second round.
• 11 October – Geraldine Kennedy is appointed the first female editor of The Irish Times.
• 14 October – As of midnight the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive are suspended by order of the British Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
• 19 October – Irish voters accept the Treaty of Nice in the second referendum held on the issue.

Arts and literature

• February – Sebastian Barry's satire Hinterland, based on the life of Charles Haughey, is premièred at the Abbey Theatre, Dublin, causing controversy.
• 10 August – Niall Bruton's sculpture "Waiting on Shore" is unveiled at Rosses Point.
• 26 September – Five Old Master paintings from the Beit collection are stolen from Russborough House, the fourth major art theft from this location.
• 25 October – Peter Mullan's film The Magdalene Sisters released in Ireland.
• The Chester Beatty Library in Dublin wins the European Museum of the Year Award.
• John Banville's novel Shroud is published.

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

2002 FIFA 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.

Births

January to June

• 6 May - Feargal McKeever

Deaths

January to June

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

July to December

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

Full date unknown

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

External links

• 2002 at Reeling in the Years