1974

In 1974, Cearbhall ó Dálaigh becomes Ireland's fifth president after Erskine Childers' sudden death. A nine-week bus strike in Dublin leads to the Army providing transport. West Germany beats Holland in the World Cup Final. U.S. President Nixon resigns over the Watergate scandal. ABBA wins the Eurovision Song Contest, and 'Joseph And His Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat' becomes a major hit in Dublin. An oil spill at Bantry Bay causes local outrage. The Dublin and Monaghan bombings kill 33 people. Turkish forces invade Cyprus following a Greek coup. Rory Gallagher enjoys success in music, while Nell McCafferty leads new women's campaigns. The Irish legal system faces criticism over illegitimacy laws. In sports, Kilkenny wins the hurling final, and Dublin dominates football. Patty Hearst is kidnapped by the SLA. The IRA conducts bombings in Britain, leading to wrongful convictions.