1996

1996 is the year of Dublin's 'Millennium Clock'. Although it is supposed to count down to the year 2000, the clock only lasts nine months. Baile na hAbhann, Co. na Gaillimhe: tá seirbhís nua teilifíse in Eirinn. Teilifís na Gaeilge is launched, based in Connemara. British animal feed practices are blamed for 'mad cow disease'. Beef prices fall as consumer confidence is shaken. The BSE crisis dominates Ireland's EU Presidency. 24 January 1996: George Mitchell tries to move Ireland's peace process forward by outlining the principles for talks to begin. CANARY WHARF, LONDON. 9 February 1996: the IRA ends its ceasefire with a massive bomb attack. Two people die. There are elections to a Northern Forum in May. Multi-party talks start without Sinn Fein. The IRA explodes another huge bomb in Manchester city centre on a Saturday morning. In Adare, Co. Limerick, the IRA kills Detective Garda Jerry McCabe. The Stormont talks get underway. George Mitchell will chair the talks, despite some Unionist opposition. The DUP's Willie McCrea argues with the UUP's David Trimble. Orangemen are refused permission to march the Garvaghy Road. After several days of loyalist violence, the authorities change their decision. The RUC beats Garvaghy residents off the road. The march goes ahead. Three years after homosexuality is decriminalised in Ireland, two gay characters come face-to-face in 'Fair City'. Ireland gets its first-ever on-screen gay kiss. .nearly Britain's 'Spice Girls' are the most successful pop act of 1996. 'Wannabe' is one of three Number One hits for 'girl power'. In the US elections, Bob Dole's Presidential hopes take a tumble. Bill Clinton is re-elected. NAAS ROAD, DUBLIN: 25 June 1996: Journalist Veronica Guerin is murdered in her car. A crackdown on organised crime follows. A TV documentary reveals stories of abuse at an industrial school. The Goldenbridge allegations focus more criticism on the Catholic Church, in a year marked by several scandals of sexual and physical abuse. ATLANTA, GEORGIA, The 26th Olympic Games: Sonia O'Sullivan is Ireland's best hope for an athletics medal. The Cobh runner is disappointed in the 5000m final and also in the 1500m. Michelle Smith wins for Ireland. Although she tests clear for banned substances, there are persistent accusations of drug-taking. She goes on to win three gold medals and one bronze. At the Eurovision Song Contest in Norway, Ireland wins for the fourth time in five years. Eimear Quinn sings 'The Voice'. At the 'Kenny Live Fashion Show', Dawn French steps out on the catwalk. After reports that Dunnes Stores paid a £200,000 bill on his house, Cabinet Minister Michael Lowry resigns. Rumours begin about a 'prominent former Fianna Fail minister' who got even more money. Playlist: Suede - Trash Richie Kavanagh - Aon Focal Eile Dodgy - Good Enough Manic Street Preachers - A Design For Life Spice Girls - Wannabe Radiohead - Street Spirit (Fade Out) Ash - Oh Yeah Alanis Morrissette - Ironic Gina G - Ooh Aah...Just A Little Bit Eimear Quinn - The Voice Blur - Charmless Man