1976 in Ireland

Events

January 5 – Former Taoiseach, John A. Costello, dies in Dublin aged 84.
March 18 – An Taoiseach and Mrs Cosgrave are greeted by President and Mrs Ford at the White House.
March 31 – A large quantity of money is stolen from a CIE train at Sallins, County Kildare, the "Sallins Train Robbery".
April 3 – The last passenger train runs on the Limerick-Claremorris line ending an 80-year-north-south link along the western seaboard.
May 17 – The boat Brendan sets off from Dingle to America. It is to trace the route of the legendary sixth century Irish monk.
July 15 – Four prisoners escape when bombs explode in the Special Criminal Court, Dublin.
July 21 – Christopher Ewart-Biggs, UK ambassador, and a civil servant, Judith Cooke, are killed by a landmine at Sandyford, Co. Dublin.
September 23 – The President, Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh, consults withe the Council of State for four hours on whether to refer the Emergency Powers legislation to the Supreme Court.
October 22 – President Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh resigns following the 'thundering disgrace' remark from the Minister for Defence, Paddy Donegan.
October 27 – A new £5 note is introduced with the image of the 9th-Century philosopher Johannes Scotus Eriugena.
November 20 – National Peace Day is marked with marches, church services and bell ringing.
December 3 – Dr. Patrick Hillery is inaugurated as the sixth President of Ireland in St. Patrick's Hall, Dublin Castle.