What Was 1979 Like in Ireland?

Pope John Paul II visited Ireland in September, and the crowds were extraordinary — over a million people attended his Mass in Phoenix Park, the largest gathering in Irish history.

Read the full story of 1979 →

Life in Ireland in 1979

Taoiseach

Charles Haughey

Petrol (per litre)

£0.85/gal

Loaf of Bread

£0.25

Average House

£20,000

Weekly Wage

£43

Top Film

Alien

Or

Browse by Year

The 1940s
1940194119421943194419451946194719481949
The 1950s
1950195119521953195419551956195719581959
The 1960s
1960196119621963196419651966196719681969
The 1970s
1970197119721973197419751976197719781979
The 1980s
1980198119821983198419851986198719881989
The 1990s
1990199119921993199419951996199719981999
The 2000s
2000200120022003200420052006200720082009
The 2010s
2010201120122013201420152016201720182019
The 2020s
20202021202220232024

Famous Birthdays

Cillian Murphy25 May 1976ActorView their day →Colin Farrell31 May 1976ActorView their day →Damien Rice7 December 1973MusicianView their day →Andrea Corr17 May 1974Singer (The Corrs)View their day →Robbie Keane8 July 1980FootballerView their day →Brian O'Driscoll21 January 1979Rugby playerView their day →Saoirse Ronan12 April 1994ActressView their day →

About The Day You Were Born

Ever wondered what was happening in the world when you took your first breath? Our birthday lookup tool reveals the fascinating history of your special day.