20th Century Ireland by Decade Quiz

Answer: Home Rule Party

A split had occurred in the Home Rule Party in the late nineteenth century as a result of Charles Stewart Parnell's affair with Kitty O'Shea. Redmond had supported Parnell but anti-Parnellites disagreed and so the party split. Parnell died in 1891, and slowly but surely, Redmond set about reuniting the party, which finally happened in 1900.

Answer: 1916

In Easter 1916, seven men signed the Proclamation of Independence. It was read out at the General Post Office in Dublin and the rising ensued. The seven men were Padraig Pierce, James Connolly, Tom Clarke, Joseph Plunkett, Sean McDermott, Eamonn Ceantt and Thomas McDonagh. All seven were shot dead after the rising.

Answer: Fianna Fail

Fianna Fail means 'Soldiers of Destiny' in English. One of the main reasons as to why Fianna Fail came into being was due to Sinn Fein's stance on not taking part in a government under British Rule. Eamann De Valera felt more would be achieved for the Irish Republican cause if he entered government. Hence, Fianna Fail came into being in 1926.

Answer: Douglas Hyde

The position of the President of Ireland was created in 1937 by the Irish Constitution. Douglas Hyde was president until 1945. Sean T. O'Kelly was the second president of Ireland (1945 - 1959), Eamonn De Valera the third (1959 - 1973) and Patrick Hillery was the sixth (1977 - 1990).

The role of president in Ireland does not come with the powers you would associate with America, for example. The position is more ceremonial in Ireland. Mary Robinson became the first female president in 1990. From 1922-1937, Ireland was known as the Irish Free State and a king's representative filled a similar role known as the Governal-General or Lord Lieutenant. Timothy Healy (1922-1927), James MacNeill (1928-1932) and Domhnall O'Buachalla (1933-1936) all filled this role.

Answer: Phil Lynott

Phil was actually born in West Bromwich in England. His fame is closely associated with his days as Thin Lizzy front man. He died on 4 January 1986 after a long battle with drugs. Van Morrison was born in 1945, Bono in 1960 and Bob Geldof in 1951.

Answer: All of these

Roddy had 'The Commitments' published in 1987 (Alan parker directed the film in 1991), 'The Snapper' in 1990 (Stephen Frears directed the film in 1993) and 'The Van' in 1991 (Stephen Frears directed the film in 1996). Colm Meaney starred in all three films. Roddy was born in Kilbarrack in Dublin, which served as inspiration for most of his work.

Answer: The Late Late Show

The Late Late Show has been synonymous with Friday night television in Ireland since 1962. Gay Byrne presented it from 1962 - 1968 and 1969 - 1999. Frank Hall presented it from 1969-1970 and Pat Kenny began presenting it in 1999. Famous guests through its history included Fred Astaire, Joan Collins, U2, Elton John and John Cleese, to name but a few.

Answer: Britain and Denmark

The European Economic Community was founded in 1957. Ireland, Britain and Denmark joined The Netherlands, France, West Germany, Luxembourg, Italy and Belgium, the founding members of the organisation in 1973. By 2009 the European Union counted 27 members.

Answer: Ray Houghton

Ray scored with a headed goal. Ireland also drew with the U.S.S.R. 1-1 (Ronnie Whelan scored in the game) and lost to the eventual winners 1-0 in the group stages. Jack Charlton managed Ireland in the win against England, the irony being that he won the World Cup in 1966 as an English player.

Answer: The Good Friday Agreement

The 'Troubles' in Northern Ireland cannot be accurately traced back to any specific date in Irish history. They emerged in the late 1960s and early 1970s. In essence, they emerged as a result of hardcore Republicans (through the I.R.A.) and hardcore Loyalists (to the Union with Britain) waging a war of terror throughout the north of Ireland in an attempt to achieve their political agendas.

In April, 1998, the Good Friday Agreement was signed by the major political parties of Northern Ireland to effectively end these 'Troubles' and remains an historic day in Irish history.

The Omagh bombing on the 15th of August 1998 still lives in infamy as an initial hardcore republican rejection of the Good Friday (or Belfast) Agreement. Republican and Loyalist parties heavily condemned this attack.