Late Late Show marks 50 years
May 21st, 2012 | Ireland, Television
The Late Late Show will mark its 50th anniversary on Friday, June 1st, with a special programme. Host Ryan Tubridy will be joined by former presenters Gay Byrne and Pat Kenny and a gathering of Irish personalities to celebrate the longest-running chat show in the world.
Annular solar eclipse
May 21st, 2012 | Astronomy, World
An annular eclipse took place on May 20th, 2012. Differing from a total solar eclipse, the moon in an annular eclipse appears too small to cover the sun completely, leaving a ring of fire effect around the moon. The eclipse cast a shallow path from west Texas to Oregon in the United States and arcing across the northern Pacific Ocean to Tokyo, Japan.
Bee Gee Robin Gibb (62) dies
Bee Gees singer Robin Gibb (62) has died after a long fight with cancer. With brothers Barry and Maurice, he helped define the disco era with falsetto harmonies and funky beats on hits such as Stayin’ Alive and Jive Talkin’.
Heineken Cup Final 2012
Leinster laid claim to being the finest side in the history of rugby’s European Cup after they defeated fellow province Ulster 42-14 at Twickenham on May 19th, 2012. Leinster’s win is their third in four years and a fifth Irish victory in seven years.
Katie Taylor wins her fourth consecutive world title
May 19th, 2012 | Boxing, Ireland
Katie Taylor come up with the goods again to win her fourth consecutive world title against Russia’s Sofya Ochigava in China
International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia
May 17th, 2012 | Society, World
International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia day has been marked by protests and parades
The 65th Cannes Film Festival opens
This year’s festival begins in Cannes with Sasha Baron Cohen causing mayhem on the Croisette
Mladic goes on trial
May 16th, 2012 | World
Former Bosnian Serb army commander Ratko Mladic goes on trial for genocide in the Hague
Hollande sworn in as new French president
May 15th, 2012 | Politics, World
Francois Hollande is sworn in as French president at a ceremony at the Elysee Palace in Paris
The bonfires of Lag Ba-Omer
May 11th, 2012 | Society, World
The Jewish holiday of Lag Ba-Omer marks the end of a plague that killed thousands of Jewish scholars in ancient times, as well as the anniversary of the death of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, who rebelled against Roman rule. Holiday traditions include lighting bonfires and cutting the hair of three-year-old boys for the first time.
