1977

The 'Brendan Voyage' comes to an end. Having followed the legendary journey of sixth-century Irish monks, the crew reaches harbour in Newfoundland. The 'Brendan' has sailed 4,000 miles across the Atlantic. Queen Elizabeth celebrates twenty-five years on Britain's throne. The Queen visits Northern Ireland for the first time in 11 years. Republicans march in protest down the Falls Road. 'Punk rock' storms the music charts this year. The Sex Pistols deliver their own version of 'God Save The Queen'. Ireland gets a new music magazine this year. 'Hot Press' targets the growing youth market. FAIRVIEW, DUBLIN: An armed siege begins at a cash-and-carry store, as raiders hold nine hostages at gunpoint. The siege lasts for over twelve hours before the eight-man gang surrenders to Gardai. The Fine Gael-led Coalition responds to rising crime with strong legislation and strongarm tactics. SHANNONBRIDGE ESB STATION: Workers begin industrial action over manning levels and back pay. As the dispute spreads, pubs and restaurants work by candlelight. After a week of power cuts, the dispute is resolved. DUBLIN v ARMAGH: All-Ireland Football Final. Dublin are champions for the second year in a row. Cork also win a second consecutive All-Ireland title when they beat Wexford in the Hurling Final. In Limerick , the Ferenka steelcord plant shuts down. Efforts to save the plant are complicated by inter-union disputes. 1400 jobs go at Ferenka. TENERIFE 27 March: Two jumbo jets collide in bad weather. 574 people die in the worst accident in aviation history. The 1977 general election : Fine Gael hopes to continue in Coalition government with theLabour Party. Fianna Fail asks voters to 'Bring Back Jack'. It promises higher public spending and big tax cuts. Jack Lynch leads Fianna Fail to landslide victory and a twenty-seat majority in the Dail. As a new generation of TDs comes to power, Charles Haughey returns to Cabinet. THE BOOMTOWN RATS: 'Looking After Number One' is the Rats' first Top Ten hit. Northern Ireland's Peace People win the Nobel Prize. The award is for their campaign the previous year. SOUTH AFRICA: Black leader Steve Biko dies in police custody. Despite blatant evidence of torture and maltreatment, the authorities rule that police cannot be held responsible for his death. NORTHERN IRELAND: A loyalist workers' strike brings further unrest. Ian Paisley leads the strike. Loyalist paramilitaries use intimidation tactics to 'persuade' people not to go to work. Several key groups of employees refuse to back the strike, including workers at the North's main power station. Loyalists had hoped to repeat their success of three years ago, when they forced major changes in British goverment policy. This time, the strike fails. Playlist: Status Quo - Rockin' All Over The World The Sex Pistols - God Save The Queen Boney M - Daddy Cool Billy Ocean - Red Light Spells Danger Thin Lizzy - Dancin' In The Moonlight Elvis Presley - Way Down Rod Stewart - The First Cut Is The Deepest Gladys Knight/ Pips - Baby Don't Change Your Mind The Boomtown Rats - Looking After Number One Fleetwood Mac - Dreams