Republican Prisioners in the Maze Prison begin a hunger strike

1980

Hunger strike called off

1980

The hunger strike at the Maze prison is called off after 53 days after an appeal by Cardinal Tomás Ó Fiaich, Catholic Primate of All Ireland

Bobby Sands wins by-election

1981

While on hunger strike in the Maze Prison, Bobby Sands becomes a member of parliament in Westminster

Maze prisoners begin second hunger strike

1981

Hunger strike called off

1981

Bobby Sands dies

1981

After 66 days on hunger strike, Bobby Sands dies in the Maze Prison. A further 9 prisoners die in the following 3 months

Northern Ireland: A Framework for Devolution published

1982

The British government publishes a white paper on devolution in Northern Ireland

The DeLorean sports car factory closes

1982

The factory in Dunmurry closes with the loss of 1,500 jobs.

The IRA bombs Regent’s Park & Hyde Park

1982

These bombings result in the deaths of 11 soldiers and 7 horses

The Northern Ireland Act establishes rules for the proposed Assembly

1982

RUC officers killed by IRA bomb

1982

Droppin’ Well pub in Ballykelly bombed by INLA

1982

Eleven soldiers and seven civilians are killed

The New Ireland Forum holds inaugural meeting

1983

The New Ireland Forum, a conference of nationalists north and south meets in Dublin Castle

38 Republican prisoners escape from the Maze

1983

A prison officer dies from injuries received in the breakout.

The Catholic Reaction Force (CRE) kills three members of the Mountain Lodge Pentecostal Church in Da

1983

The final report of the new Ireland Forum is published

1984

Three options are offered for Northern Ireland: a unitary state; a federal arrangement; and a joint authority solution. The report also rejects the use of violence to achieve political change in Northern Ireland.

The Grand Hotel in Brighton bombed

1984

A bomb planted by the Provisional IRA in the Grand Hotel explodes on the last day of the Conservative Party Conference. Five people are killed and many others wounded.

Taoiseach Garret Fitzgerald meets Margaret Thatcher

1984

The meeting takes place at Chequers to discuss the potential consequences for constitutional politics in the event of the rise in support for Sinn Fein. At a press conference later that day, Margaret Thatcher rejects the proposals of the New Ireland Forum in her famous &

U2 releases The Unforgettable Fire

1984

Nine RUC officers killed in a mortar attack on Newry police station

1985

Rioting in Portadown as Orange marches are re-routed

1985

The Anglo-Irish Agreement signed

1985

The agreement is signed by Garret Fitzgerald and Margaret Thatcher at Hillsborough Castle. The Agreement introduces an Intergovernmental Conference headed by the Secretary of State and the Irish Foreign Minister, which will meet regularly to promote cross-border cooperat

An Air India plane crashes into the sea 80 miles off the Irish coast

1985

A bomb exploded on board. All 329 passengers and crew are killed.

The Northern Ireland Assembly is officially dissolved

1986

The decision was made by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Tom King.

Peter Robinson marches with 500 loyalists to Clontibret

1986

The Deputy leader of the DUP marched into the village in Co Monaghan in the Republic of Ireland. He is later arrested and fined.

One civilian and 8 members of the IRA are killed in an SAS ambush at Loughgall, Co Armagh

1987

Remembrance Day bombing at Enniskillen

1987

A bomb explodes during the Remembrance Day wreath laying ceremony at the War memorial in Enniskillen. 11 are killed.

U2 release The Joshua Tree

1987

First meeting between John Hume and Gerry Adams

1988

The first in a number of meetings take place between John Hume, leader of the SDLP and Gerry Adams, leader of Sinn Fein. This is considered by some to be the beginning of the Peace Process.

IRA members killed in Gibraltar by SAS

1988

Three unarmed IRA members are killed by undercover members of the SAS.

Michael Stone kills mourners at Milltown Cemetery

1988

During the funerals of the three members of the IRA killed in Gibraltar, Michael Stone, a loyalist gunman, launches a gun and grenade attack on mourners. Three are killed and 50 injured.

Two soldiers killed by mourners

1988

During the funeral of one of those killed in the Milltown Cemetery attack, two soldiers in plainclothes are attacked and killed by mourners.

IRA bomb kills 6 off-duty soldiers in Lisburn

1988

Eight soldiers killed in an IRA bomb in Ballygawley, Co Tyrone

1988

Broadcasting Ban announced

1988

The British government announces a broadcasting ban on direct statements by members of proscribed organisations, including Sinn Fein and the Ulster Defense Association.

Pat Finucane murdered in his home

1989

Pat Finucane, a solicitor who had represented a number of Republicans, is hot in his home by members of the Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF). Rumours of collusion between Loyalists and security forces follow.

IRA bomb Deal army barracks in Kent

1989

Ten members of the Royal Marines band are killed in an attack on the Deal army barracks.

The Guilford Four are released by the Court of Appeal

1989

The Guilford Four are released on appeal having spent 14 years in prison wrongly convicted of the Birmingham pub bombings