The Big Irish Times Christmas quiz of 2012
15 Name the former Trotskyite who replaced Róisín Shortall as Minister of State for Primary Care in September.
16 In February, striking workers at the Vita Cortex plant in Cork received a supportive phone call from which Premiership football manager?
17 At the annual Béal na Bláth commemoration in August, Taoiseach Enda Kenny mistakenly credited Michael Collins with having brought which Russian revolutionary to Ireland?
18 In November, which sitting TD’s portrait was acquired by the National Portrait Gallery in London?
19 Visiting Dublin in June, Yoko Ono paid her respects at the grave of which 19th-century Irish leader?
20 In October, naval ship the LÉ Róisín staged a “show of strength” around which tiny north Atlantic islet, whose sovereignty Ireland contests with Britain, Iceland and Denmark?
Sport
21 In May, whose 94th minute goal against Queen’s Park Rangers on the last day of the 2011/12 season clinched the Premiership title for Manchester City?
22 Name the Irish sports star granted a state funeral by the government of Victoria, Australia, in March.
23 In February, why was a Six Nations clash between France and Ireland at Stade de France called off at the last minute?
24 How many goals did Giovanni Trapattoni’s Republic of Ireland concede at Euro 2012?
25 While his Senegalese namesake sells watches in Lanzarote, which Gaelic football manager took up a new role with Celtic FC in November?
26 Who, in a “moment of high farce” lined out at left corner forward for Coill Dubh in the Kildare hurling championship in July? (He was substituted after 90 seconds.)
27 Name the Antrim golfer who triumphed at the British Amateur Championship in June.
28 For what reason was Rory McIlroy awarded the 2012 Vardon Trophy?
29 In October, which American cycling team was found to have run “the most sophisticated, professional and successful doping programme the sport has ever seen”?
30 Name the Irish jockey who became the highest-placed female finisher in the history of the English Grand National when she finished third in April.
Film and Television
31 In July, the affair between actress Kristen Stewart and director Rupert Sanders scandalised Hollywood. The couple met on the set of which film?
32 When Lucasfilm was acquired by the Walt Disney Company in October, plans were announced for the production of how many new Star Wars films?
33 This American screenwriter, whose credits include When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle and You’ve Got Mail, died in June. Who was she?
