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On This Week: Oasis bring Morning Glory to Cork
On This Week: Irish Moments from History (11th - 17th August)
Welcome to On This Week, where we delve into the standout stories from the years gone by, featuring standout news stories, major sporting events, and pop culture highlights that helped shape Irish life.
Here's your dose of Irish nostalgia from 11th - 17th August.
This Week In Irish News
1970: First jumbo jet to land at Shannon Airport
The first scheduled jumbo jet landed at Shannon Airport this week.
The Pan Am Boeing 747 landed after a transatlantic crossing from the US, carrying 311 passengers. After a smooth landing at Shannon, the flight continued to London.
This was the first scheduled landing of a jumbo jet at Shannon Airport. There had been previous landings, but they were for training purposes.
2020: Donegal woman becomes the first female diver in naval history
Donegal woman Sub-Lieutenant Tahlia Britton made Irish naval history by becoming the Navy's first female diver.
She and two others, Able Mechanic Rob Mulqueen from Limerick and Able Seaman Emmet O'Hanlon from Cork, received their diving log books in a ceremony at the naval base in Haulbowline.
The three went through a gruelling 11-week training course, which has a 70% drop-out rate. The three were the only ones of the original ten to finish the course.
This Week In Irish Sports
1982: John O'Leary clinches the Irish Open
John O'Leary finished one under par to win the Irish Open tournament.
After a seven-year wait, the Irish Open had an Irish winner again, as O'Leary was the only player on the field to finish under par. Englishman Maurice Bembridge finished second, while Christy O'Connor Senior finished joint third with Greg Norman and Nick Faldo.
He made par on the final hole to secure victory, to the delight of the 28,000 people attending at Portmarnock.
2011: Coyne claims world Light Middleweight title in Castlebar
Henry Coyle claimed the vacant WBF Light Middleweight title at the Royal Theatre in Castlebar.
The Mayo man beat Italy's Elio Cotena on a technical knockout, where he sustained a deep cut above his eye after a clash. The doctor was forced to intervene after the end of the fifth round, giving Coyle the victory.
This Week In Irish Entertainment
1996: Oasis bring Morning Glory to Cork
Manchester band Oasis played two gigs at Páirc Uí Chaoimh in Cork in front of more than 70,000 fans,
One of the biggest bands of the Britpop era, tight security and organisers meant that the band's arrival was kept a secret.
Such was their popularity that trains were full, meaning not all attendees could fit in. As a result, last-minute buses were added to ensure all would reach the venue.
The stage took a week to build, with technicians working around the clock. On stage, there were 36 guitars, three pianos, 56 microphones, video screens, miles of wiring and thousands of lights.
Support band The Bootleg Beatles warmed up the crowd before Oasis took the stage.
This Week In Irish Culture
1962: New discoveries made at Newgrange
A team of archaeologists made fresh findings at the centre mound of Newgrange in Co Meath.
The team was led by Professor Michael J O'Kelly from University College Cork, who uncovered decorated kerbstones with chevron ornamentation and a mound of turf, which may have been part of the passage grave itself or part of a preexisting structure.
2007: Replica Viking longship arrives in Dublin
A replica Viking longship arrives in Dublin following a six-week voyage from Denmark.
The world's biggest replica Viking longship, The Sea Stallion From Glendalough, set sail from Denmark six and a half weeks previously.
It was a reconstruction of a vessel built in the Dublin region in the 11th century, which sailed over a thousand miles to reach its home.
What was Number 1 in Ireland This Week?
1982: 'Come On Eileen' by Dexys Midnight Runners
Coming from their second album, Come On Eileen reached the number one spot in the US, UK and Ireland.
1996: 'Wannabe' by the Spice Girls
The debut single that helped usher in Girl Power, Wannabe topped the charts in 37 countries..
2001: Hey Baby (Uhh, Ahh) by DJ Ötzi
A cover version released by Austrian artist DJ Ötzi, the song became the unofficial theme song for the 2002 FIFA World Cup held in Japan and South Korea.
Irish Celebrities Celebrating Birthdays This Week
Claire Byrne (50)
Radio and TV presenter who hosts Today With Claire Byrne on RTÉ Radio 1.
Evanna Lynch (34)
Actor best known for portraying Luna Lovegood in the Harry Potter film series.
Hector Ó hEochagáin (56)
TV and radio presenter best known for his travel shows on TG4.
Other Irish Trivia From This Week
1963: All gather for the barrel rolling race in Nenagh
Nenagh County Tipperary was the venue for a spot of barrel rolling.
Young men lined up with the barrels to roll them through the streets of Nenagh. The winner is John Talbot who raises his barrel in the air to celebrate.
While it's not clear why the race was taking place, barrel races typically occurred as part of a larger festival or when a carnival came to town.
Looking Ahead
