Timeline

The timeline links together artworks from the archive with historical events

Dana wins Eurovision

1970

“All Kinds of Everything” sung by Derry-born singer Dana wins the Eurovision Song Contest

The UDR begins operations

1970

The Ulster Defense Regiment (UDR), a locally recruited regiment of the British Army, begins operations - replacing the Ulster Special Constabulary

The Alliance Party founded

1970

The Alliance Party of Northern Ireland (APNI) was founded in an effort to appeal to Catholics and Protestants to unite in support of moderate politics

Curfew inposed on Falls Road in Belfast

1970

Rubber bullets introduced

1970

Rubber Bullets are introduced in Northern Ireland for crowd control

The SDLP is established

1970

The Social & Democratic Labour Party (SDLP) is established with Gerry Fitt as leader

100th explosion in an IRA bombing campaign

1970

The 100th explosion in a bombing campaign by the Provisional IRA which resulted in damage to a telephone exchange, electricity substations and public houses.

The Northern Ireland Housing Executive is formed

1970

Architecture

Lenadoon Estate Northern Ireland Housing Executive

View more details

Visual Art

This we will maintain Joseph McWilliams

Year Produced 1970

View more details

Visual Art

Pat Brian Ferran

Year Produced 1970

View more details

Visual Art

Third of May, After Goya Robert Ballagh

Year Produced 1970

View more details

First British Soldier killed in Northern Ireland

1971

The First British Soldier to die in the conflict is shot by the IRA

Five killed in landmine attack near a BBC transmitter in Tryone

1971

Two BBC engineers and three construction workers are killed near a BBC transmitter in County Tyrone in a landmine attack which was probably intended for an army patrol

Brian Faulkner becomes Prime Minister of Northern Ireland

1971

The Rev Ian Paisley forms the Democratic Unionist Party

1971

Internment introduced

1971

Internment is introduced, resulting in over 300 people being detained in an initial sweep with widespread protests and 17 deaths

15 Catholics killed in pub bombing

1971

15 Catholic civilians are killed when McGurks Bar in Belfast is bombed by Loyalist Paramilitaries

Bloody Sunday

1972

13 people are shot and killed by paratroopers during a Civil Rights march from the Bogside and Creggan Estate to the Centre of Derry

British Embassy in Dublin burned down

1972

over 30,000 people in Dublin march to the British Embassy and burn it down

Seven people killed in Army barracks

1972

Seven people are killed in a bomb attack at the Aldershot barracks of the Parachute Regiment, in an attack thought to be in retaliation for the Bloody Sunday killings

Direct Rule imposed

1972

Direct Rule from Westminster is imposed on Northern Ireland, suspending the Stormont Parliament

The Ulster Defence Association (UDA) sets up “no-go” areas in Belfast

1972

Bloody Friday

1972

20 bombs are detonated by the Provisional IRA in Belfast in 65 minutes. Nine people are killed and at least 130 seriously injured.

Operation Motorman

1972

4,000 extra troops are brought into Northern Ireland to take part in the dismantling of barricades on the boundaries of the no-go areas

Three IRA car bombs explode in Claudy

1972

Three IRA car bombs explode in Claudy, Co Derry, killing six instantly. A further three die from their injuries in the following days.

Customs Post bombed in Newry

1972

Nine people are killed at a customs post in Newry when a bomb being planted by the IRA explodes prematurely.

Two killed in car bomb attack in Dublin

1972

Two men are killed when car bombs explode in Dublin. No one claims responsibility for the attack, amid rumours of a British covert operation to influence legislation in the Irish Parliament.

Seamus Heaney publishes “Wintering Out”

1972

Raidio na Gaeltachta begins broadcasting

1972

Poetry

Butchers Dozen: A Lesson for the Octave of Widgery Thomas Kinsella

Published 1972

View more details

Poetry

The Tollund Man Seamus Heaney

Published 1972

View more details

Poetry

Traditions Seamus Heaney

Published 1972

View more details

Poetry

The Other Side Seamus Heaney

Published 1972

View more details

Poetry

Broagh Seamus Heaney

Published 1972

View more details

Poetry

A Lost Tradition John Montague

Published 1972

View more details

Visual Art

Stencilled Images on Paper Graham Gingles

Year Produced 1972

View more details

Visual Art

Woman of Belfast XI FE McWilliam

Year Produced 1972

View more details

Visual Art

Three Derry Women FE McWilliam

Year Produced 1972

View more details

Visual Art

Women Caught in Crossfire FE McWilliam

Year Produced 1972

View more details

Northern Ireland joins the European Economic Community (EEC) with the UK

1973

Northern Ireland Assembly elections take place

1973

Power-sharing Executive established

1973

December 6-9 - Talks are held at Sunningdale in Berkshire involving Britain and Dublin, leading to the concept of a power-sharing executive

Northern Ireland votes for union

1973

Bomb Blasts Rock Central London

1973

13 people were injured when 2 bombs exploded at Kings Cross and Euston stations

“Bloody Sunday” inquest accuses Army

1973

Literature

A Streak of Madness Ian Cochrane

View more details

Poetry

The Indians on Alcatraz Paul Muldoon

Published 1973

View more details

Poetry

Letters Michael Longley

Published 1973

View more details

Theatre

The Freedom of the City Brian Friel

Year First Performed 1973

View more details

Visual Art

White Box Graham Gingles

Year Produced 1973

View more details

The Northern Ireland Executive takes office

1974

The Ulster Unionists, the Social Democratic Labour Party and the Alliance Party are all involved

Eleven anti-Sunningdale Unionist politicans win seats in Westminster

1974

Ulster Council Workers Strike begins

1974

The workers protest against the ratification of the Sunningdale agreement resulting in widespread power cuts of up to 6 hours at a time

Bombs planted in Dublin and Monaghan by the UVF kill 33

1974

The Northern Ireland Assembly collapses

1974

Direct rule is re-introduced.

“Troubles” death toll reaches 1,000

1974

IRA bombs parliament

1974

Pub bombing in Birmingham kills 19 people

1974

Guilford pub bombing - 4 die

1974

Traditional Music

You Sold Us Down the River Tommy Sands

Released 1974

View more details

Visual Art

School Girl, Belfast Catherine Mc Williams

Year Produced 1974

View more details

Visual Art

Une Nature Morte à la Mode Irlandaise 1974 Michael Farrell

Year Produced 1974

View more details

Visual Art

Narrative Brian Ferran

Year Produced 1974

View more details

Visual Art

Victim Catherine McWilliams

Year Produced 1974

View more details

Visual Art

Saint Vincent De Paul Series Martin Forker

Year Produced 1974

View more details

3 members of “The Miami Showband” shot by UVF

1975

They are targeted after a concert in County Down

A series of UVF bombs across Northern Ireland kills 12

1975

“The Guilford Four” are found guilty

1975

Internment ends

1975

the last prisoners being held without trial are released

TV presenter Ross McWhirter shot dead

1975

Mr McWhirter had been an outspoken critic of the IRA

Film and Television

Hennessy (or Fifth of November; To Kill A Queen)

Don Sharp

View more details

Literature

Harry’s Game Gerald Seymour

View more details

Poetry

Punishment Seamus Heaney

Published 1975

View more details

Poetry

Act of Union Seamus Heaney

Published 1975

View more details

Poetry

Exposure Seamus Heaney

Published 1975

View more details

Poetry

A Constable Calls Seamus Heaney

Published 1975

View more details

Traditional Music

Troubles Tommy Sands

Released 1975

View more details

Theatre

Spokesong Stewart Parker

Year First Performed 1975

View more details

Visual Art

Une Nature Morte à la Mode Irlandaise 1975 Michael Farrell

Year Produced 1975

View more details

Visual Art

Peace B FE McWilliam

Year Produced 1975

View more details

Visual Art

A Shade of Green, an Orange Edge Exhibition Conrad Atkinson

Year Produced 1975

View more details

Visual Art

Mother Ireland Martin Forker

Year Produced 1975

View more details

Visual Art

Bubbles Catherine McWilliams

Year Produced 1975

View more details

Visual Art

Sacred Heart Grandmother Martin Forker

Year Produced 1975

View more details

Ten Protestant civilians killed in minibus attack at Kingsmills

1976

British Government ends Special Category status for those imprisoned for political acts

1976

Provisional IRA firebombs cause more than £1m damage in Derry

1976

Blanket protests begin at the Maze Prison

1976

The protest is against the removal of the Special Category status

Architecture

Portadown New Technical College Shanks Leighton Kennedy and FitzGerald

View more details

Visual Art

Rendezvous with a Rainbow Joseph McWilliams

Year Produced 1976

View more details

Visual Art

The Community Door Joseph McWilliams

Year Produced 1976

View more details

Visual Art

Your Move Jack Pakenham

Year Produced 1976

View more details

Visual Art

July Painting Brian Ferran

Year Produced 1976

View more details

Visual Art

The Robinsons Brian Ferran

Year Produced 1976

View more details

Visual Art

Belfast Madonna Martin Forker

Year Produced 1976

View more details

Mairead Corrigan and Betty Williams receive the Nobel Peace Prize

1977

The prize is awarded in recognition of their work in the Peace People

The Unites Unionist Action Council begins strike action

1977

The strike at the government security protest lasts for 10 days

Film and Television

Catchpenny Twist

Robert Knights

View more details

Literature

Proxopera Benedict Kiely

View more details

Literature

Secrets and Other Stories Bernard MacLaverty

View more details

Literature

Shadows on our Skin Jennifer Johnston

View more details

Literature

The Sinking of the Kenbane Head Sam McAughtry

View more details

Performance Arts

Target

First Performed 1977

View more details

Poetry

More Terrorists Padraic Fiacc

Published 1977

View more details

Poetry

Requin Padraic Fiacc

Published 1977

View more details

Poetry

The British Connection Padraic Fiacc

Published 1977

View more details

Poetry

Saint Coleman’s Song for Flight/An Ite Missa Est Padraic Fiacc

Published 1977

View more details

Poetry

Elegy for a ‘Fenian Get’ Padraic Fiacc

Published 1977

View more details

Poetry

Wee Fellas Padraic Fiacc

Published 1977

View more details

Poetry

Christ Goodbye Padraic Fiacc

Published 1977

View more details

Poetry

Midnight Assassination Padraic Fiacc

Published 1977

View more details

Poetry

Settlers Tom Paulin

Published 1977

View more details

Poetry

Under The Eyes Tom Paulin

Published 1977

View more details

Poetry

Lunch With Pancho Villa Paul Muldoon

Published 1977

View more details

Poetry

Intimate Letter 1973 Padraic Fiacc

Published 1977

View more details

Traditional Music

Englands Vietnam The Men of No Property

Released 1977

View more details

Visual Art

Seated Nude with Frogs Catherine Mc Williams

Year Produced 1977

View more details

Visual Art

Madonna Irlanda (1977) Michael Farrell

Year Produced 1977

View more details

Visual Art

Flight Brian Ferran

Year Produced 1977

View more details

Visual Art

Betsy Gray Brian Ferran

Year Produced 1977

View more details

Visual Art

Silver Liberties: A Souvenir of a Wonderful Anniversary Year Conrad Atkinson

Year Produced 1977

View more details

Visual Art

Turf Lodge Series Martin Forker

Year Produced 1977

View more details

Visual Art

Vincent, Buster and Charlie Martin Forker

Year Produced 1977

View more details

La Mon bomb attack kills 12 and seriously injures 23

1978

Contemporary Music

Threnody Eibhlís Farrell

Released 1978

View more details

Film and Television

Willie - The Legion Hall Bombing

Roland Joff

View more details

Literature

Bluebell Meadow Benedict Kiely

View more details

Performance Arts

Art Is Not A Mirror It’s A Fucking Hammer

First Performed 1978

View more details

Poetry

Count Gerald Dawe

Published 1978

View more details

Poetry

Names Gerald Dawe

Published 1978

View more details

Poetry

Sheltering Places Gerald Dawe

Published 1978

View more details

Visual Art

The Ulster Crucifixion Ken Howard

Year Produced 1978

View more details

The “Shankill Butchers” are sentenced to life imprisonment

1979

11 loyalists are sentenced for 19 brutal murders

Airey Neave killed in bomb blast

1979

The Conservative shadow spokesman for Northern Ireland is killed in a car bomb at Westminster

Margaret Thatcher becomes British Prime Minister

1979

Lord Mountbatten killed

1979

Lord Mountbatton and 3 others are killed in an explosion on a boat at Mullaghmore, Co Sligo

18 soldiers killed in 2 bomb attacks in Warrenpoint

1979

Pope John Paul II arrives in Ireland

1979

At Drogheda he appeals for peace in Northern Ireland

Architecture

Corrymeela Worship Centre - An Croi Gordon McKnight Architects

View more details

Literature

Northern Myths John Morrow

View more details

Performance Arts

The Church Akshuns

First Performed 1979

View more details

Poetry

The War Poets Michael Longley

Published 1979

View more details

Poetry

Peace Michael Longley

Published 1979

View more details

Poetry

Casualty Seamus Heaney

Published 1979

View more details

Poetry

The Toome Road Seamus Heaney

Published 1979

View more details

Visual Art

Papa True Colin McGookin

Year Produced 1979

View more details

Visual Art

Ardoyne Rag and Bone Man Martin Forker

Year Produced 1979

View more details