2016 has been a year of seismic change and shock, that few predicted: a reality TV star is to enter the White House, Britain is to leave the European Union and we said goodbye to too many musical icons.
Here the parties spent 9 weeks struggling to form a government after a bruising election. Following much back and forth Enda Kenny was elected Taoiseach. The first time in Fine Gael’s history that a leader is voted
back in as Taoiseach.
Two of the biggest international stories of the year were the Brexit vote and the US elections. Few predicted that the UK would vote to leave, and the Prime Minister David Cameron paid the price and stood down.
In the US Donald Trump was elected as America’s 45 President. In what’s been called the most divisive campaign in US history Trump and Hilary Clinton battled it out on TV and on the stumps. During the campaign he variously promised to build a wall, to jail Hilary Clinton, and to ban Muslims from the US. But on November 8th Trump eventually ended Hilary Clinton ‘s presidential dreams.
On a much happier note the whole country celebrated Ireland’s century with parades from Banna Strand to Belfast. And in rugby Ireland beat South Africa, the All Blacks and Australia all within six months.
An extraordinary wealth of musical and artistic talent was ripped from us this year, Bowie, Prince and Leonard Cohen.. And we said goodbye to our national treasure: Terry Wogan. 2016 is year few will forget.