2021 in Ireland

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Centuries:
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Decades:
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See also:2021 in Northern Ireland
Other events of 2021
List of years in Ireland

Events during the year 2021 in Ireland.

Incumbents
President Michael D. Higgins

Events

January
  • 1 January
  • 2 January
    • 3,394 cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in the Republic of Ireland.[3]
    • The Director of the National Virus Reference Laboratory Cillian de Gascun announced that a further 9 cases of the UK variant of COVID-19 had been detected in the Republic of Ireland from 23 December to 29 December, bringing the total number of cases identified to 16.[4]
    • It was revealed that there were approximately 9,000 positive COVID-19 tests not yet logged on the HSE's IT systems, due to both limitations in the software; and lack of staff to check and input details, meaning there is an effective ceiling of approximately 1,700 to 2,000 cases that can be logged each day.[5]
  • 3 January – 4,962 cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in the Republic of Ireland.[6]
  • 4 January – 6,110 cases of COVID-19 were confirmed.[7]
  • 5 January
  • 6 January
    • 7,836 cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in the Republic of Ireland.[11]
    • The Government agreed a number of new lockdown measures including the closure of all schools until February with Leaving Certificate students allowed to attend school for three days a week, the closure of all non-essential construction sites with certain exceptions at 6pm on 8 January, the requirement from 9 January for all passengers from the UK and South Africa to have a negative PCR test that they acquired within 72 hours of travelling and the prohibition of click-and-collect services for non-essential retail.[12]
    • The Tánaiste announced that the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine would allow 10,000 more people in Ireland to be vaccinated per week.[13]
    • It was announced that Minister for Justice Helen McEntee tested positive for COVID-19.[14]
  • 7 January
    • NPHET confirmed that the backlog of cases due to a delay in reporting positive laboratory results have been cleared.[15]
    • The Government was forced to abandon plans for Leaving Certificate students to attend school on three days a week, and instead students will return to homeschooling along with other students until February, after the ASTI directed its members not to return to in-school teaching.[16]
    • The rollout of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in private and voluntary nursing homes began nationwide, with 22 nursing homes of 3,000 residents and staff to be vaccinated.[17]
    • The Tánaiste announced that the Government would consider banning the sale of alcohol after a certain time in a day, while all pubs, restaurants and other businesses were set to remain closed until April.[18][19]
  • 8 January
  • 9 January – A major fire that broke out at an animal feed storage facility near the Port of Cork was brought under control.[23]
  • 11 January
    • The purchase of alcohol with supermarket vouchers as well as a number of multi-buy schemes were banned under new legislation that came into effect.[24]
    • Figures revealed by the Our World in Data organisation showed that Ireland had the highest daily number of new confirmed COVID-19 cases in the world for every million people.[25]
    • Gardaí received new COVID-19 enforcement powers, including the power to fine people €100 in breach in the 5km travel limit.[26]
  • 12 January
  • 13 January
    • Taoiseach Micheál Martin issued a formal apology to victims and survivors of Mother and Baby Homes, on behalf of the state, and promised that the apology would be followed by actions, including access to counselling and records, provision of medical cards, and a system of reparations.[32]
    • The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) called for the Government to declare a national emergency and for all private hospital capacity to be fully nationalised into the public healthcare system as the number of hospitalisations doubled the peak of April 2020.[33]
  • 14 January
  • 15 January – The Chief Medical Officers of Ireland and Northern Ireland Tony Holohan and Michael McBride issued a joint statement urging everyone to stay at home.[37]
  • 16 January
  • 17 January
  • 18 January – The number of patients with COVID-19 being treated in hospitals around the country reached a record 2,023, with 200 in ICUs and over 400 people receiving high-grade ventilation and respiratory support.[42]
  • 19 January
    • 93 deaths of COVID-19 were confirmed in the Republic of Ireland.[43]
    • The Government was forced to abandon plans to reopen special schools on Thursday 21 January for thousands of children with special educational needs following safety concerns among staff unions.[44]
  • 20 January
  • 22 January
  • 23 January – Taoiseach Micheál Martin stated that COVID-19 vaccinations for people over the age of 70 may be delayed due to issues with the supply of the Oxford–AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, and also stated that COVID-19 restrictions would be in place for at least the first six months of the year and that not all of the 1 million students nationwide will be back in school before St Patrick's Day.[52][53]
    • Met Éireann issued a national Status Yellow snow and ice warning as falls of hail, sleet and snow with icy and hazardous conditions was forecast to take place.[54]
  • 24 January – A national Status Yellow snow and ice warning remained in place and a low-temperature and ice warning came into effect as it was forecast to be very cold overnight, with temperatures expected to drop as low as -5 degrees Celsius, while Gardaí urged caution on icy roads after the west and east of the country was hit by snow.[55]
  • 25 January
    • Gardaí warned that foreign holidays were not deemed essential as 1,500 fines were issued to people breaching the 5km travel limit in the previous two weeks.[56]
    • Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly announced that community vaccination of people aged 70 and over would begin in mid-February.[57]
    • A meat processing plant in Bunclody, County Wexford confirmed 42 cases of COVID-19 following screening of all staff on 15 January.[58]
    • An Garda Síochána, HSE and the Department of Health warned the public to be aware of possible scam text messages and phone calls relating to the COVID-19 vaccine.[59]
  • 26 January
    • Ireland's COVID-19 death toll passed 3,000 after 90 more COVID-19-related deaths were reported, bringing the death toll since the beginning of the pandemic to 3,066.[60]
    • Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan confirmed that a further 6 cases of the South African variant of COVID-19 had been detected in the Republic of Ireland.[61]
    • The Government announced the extension of the Level 5 lockdown restrictions until 5 March, along with a number of new measures including a mandatory 14-day quarantine period for all people travelling into the country without a negative COVID-19 test, including all arrivals from Brazil and South Africa.[62]
    • The Government made the wearing of face coverings in all banks, credit unions and post offices mandatory.[63]
    • Talks between the Department of Education and unions continued with hopes that schools would be able to reopen on a phased basis between February and March.[64]
  • 28 January
  • 29 January
  • 30 January

February
  • 1 February
    • The Department of Education agreed to reopen special schools with 50% capacity on Thursday 11 February and special classes in mainstream schools on Monday 22 February.[75]
    • Europol warned travellers to watch for organised crime gangs selling fake negative COVID-19 certificates at airports.[76]
    • Latest figures showed that in the last 4 days of January, Gardaí fined 280 people at Dublin Airport for leaving the country for non-essential travel, while more than 3,500 fines had been issued in total for breaches of COVID-19 regulations, with 2,100 fines for travelling without a reasonable excuse.[77]
    • A nursing home in Tuam, County Galway appealed for help from qualified nurses following the deaths of 12 residents due to COVID-19.[78]
    • It was announced that more than 30 residents of 4 Cork nursing homes and a community hospital in Kerry died in the previous two weeks following COVID-19 outbreaks.[79]
  • 2 February
    • 101 deaths of COVID-19 were confirmed in the Republic of Ireland – the highest number of confirmed deaths recorded in a single day so far since the pandemic reached Ireland.[80]
    • Latest figures showed a total of 1,543 staff and residents in nursing homes died during the pandemic with 369 in January alone.[81]
    • Over 2,000 students who sat the postponed written Leaving Certificate exams in November 2020 received their results, with over 40% of the grades higher than the calculated grades students had received.[82]
    • A video went viral on social media of Gardaí nationwide after they took to roofs, beaches and bogs to record a video of them taking part in the "Jerusalema Challenge".[83]
  • 3 February
  • 4 February
    • The total number of COVID-19 cases in Ireland surpassed 200,000 cases, with over half confirmed in 2021.[86]
    • Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly signed new regulations that empower Gardaí to call to the homes of people who arrive from international travel and ensure that they are abiding by mandatory quarantine rules, with a €2,500 fine or an imprisonment sentence of 6 months for non-compliance.[87]
    • Gardaí began an investigation after a woman's body was discovered in a burning car in North Cork.[88]
  • 5 February
    • Widespread disruptions were predicted for the weekend, with heavy snow expected to fall across the country from Wednesday 10 February, as the Beast from the East was set to return.[89]
    • It was announced that Ireland's first ever dedicated wildlife hospital would open in two weeks' time in County Meath.[90]
    • Gardaí issued more than 375 fines to people breaching the 5km travel limit over the previous 7 days, bringing the total number of breaches to over 4,600.[91]
    • Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly announced that the first batches of 21,600 doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine would arrive in the weekend, with 190,000 doses expected to arrive by the end of February.[92]
    • Minister for Education Norma Foley announced a new phase of planning for the Leaving Certificate examinations.[93]
    • A man in his 60s was arrested in connection with the death of 72-year-old Mary O'Keeffe whose body was discovered in a burning car in north Cork.[94]
  • 6 February – The first shipment of 21,600 AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines arrived in the Republic of Ireland.[95]
  • 7 February – A 62-year-old man was charged with the murder of 72-year-old Mary O'Keeffe whose body was found in a burning car near the village of Doneraile in north Cork on 4 February.[96]
  • 8 February

Deaths

January

February

See also

References
  1. Creation of new Munster Technological University an 'important milestone' for south west TheJournal.ie, 2021-01-01
  2. Resumption of the pre-school programme postponed until 11 January, in line with reopening of primary and secondary schools Gov.ie, 2021-01-01
  3. Coronavirus: 4 deaths and a record high of 3,394 new cases confirmed TheJournal.ie, 2021-01-02
  4. Covid-19: Nine further cases of ‘UK strain’ detected in State The Irish Times, 2021-01-02
  5. If that’s the case, the backlog of 9,000 is likely to get continually larger and larger - and the number of daily positive swabs (which historically runs roughly 10% higher than the number of positive cases) will be a truer illustration of #covid19ireland for the coming days. Twitter, 2021-01-02
  6. Coronavirus: Seven deaths and 4,962 new cases confirmed TheJournal.ie, 2021-01-02
  7. Coronavirus: Six deaths and 6,110 new cases confirmed in Ireland TheJournal.ie, 2021-01-04
  8. Dublin woman (95) becomes first nursing home resident in the State to be vaccinated The Irish Times, 2021-01-05
  9. Breastfeeding doctor and 95-year-old COVID-19 survivor vaccinated Irish Examiner, 2021-01-05
  10. Up to 135,000 people to be fully vaccinated by end of February, Taoiseach says TheJournal.ie, 2021-01-05
  11. Coronavirus: 17 deaths and 7,836 new cases confirmed in Ireland TheJournal.ie, 2021-01-06
  12. Additional public health restrictions - people urged to stay at home Gov.ie, 2021-01-06
  13. Ireland to see 10,000 more weekly vaccines with Moderna approval RTÉ News, 2021-01-06
  14. Minister for Justice Helen McEntee tests positive for Covid-19 The Irish Times, 2021-01-06
  15. Statement from the National Public Health Emergency Team - Thursday 7 January Gov.ie, 2021-01-07
  16. Government to scrap plan on partial reopening of schools The Irish Times, 2021-01-07
  17. Covid-19: Vaccine rollout starts in nursing homes The Irish Times, 2021-01-07
  18. Government will consider banning sale of alcohol after a certain time in the day, says Tánaiste Leo Varadkar Irish Independent, 2021-01-07
  19. Pubs and restaurants likely to remain closed until April, Leo Varadkar says Irish Mirror, 2021-01-07
  20. Coronavirus: 20 deaths and 8,248 new cases as ICU numbers rise above 100 TheJournal.ie, 2021-01-08
  21. Coronavirus Ireland: record 8,248 new cases and 20 further deaths confirmed as South African variant identified in Ireland Irish Independent, 2021-01-08
  22. Temperatures could plummet to -7C tonight RTÉ News, 2021-01-08
  23. Major fire at Cork Port brought under control; no casualties reported TheJournal.ie, 2021-01-09
  24. New regulations restrict price promotions of alcohol RTÉ News, 2021-01-11
  25. Ireland had world’s highest Covid-19 infection rate last week The Irish Times, 2021-01-11
  26. People breaching Covid-19 travel restrictions now face €100 fine The Irish Times, 2021-01-11
  27. Conneely, Ailbhe (12 January 2021). "'Appalling level of infant mortality' in mother-and-baby homes – Commission". RTÉ. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  28. All travellers into Republic will need negative Covid-19 tests from Saturday The Irish Times, 2021-01-12
  29. First delivery of Moderna vaccine arrives in Ireland RTÉ News, 2021-01-12
  30. Fine Gael parliamentary party readmits three Golfgate Senators The Irish Times, 2021-01-12
  31. Three prisoners in Portlaoise and Mountjoy test positive for Covid-19 TheJournal.ie, 2021-01-12
  32. State apology: Taoiseach's full statement on Mother and Baby Homes The Irish Times, 2021-01-13
  33. Covid situation in Irish hospitals now a 'national emergency' as nurses issue urgent warning Irish Mirror, 2021-01-13
  34. Three people fined for travelling 80km for a burger RTÉ News, 2021-01-14
  35. New Bus Schedules for Dublin Area to take effect from next week National Transport Authority, 2021-01-14
  36. Whip restored to three Fianna Fáil senators who attended Oireachtas golf dinner last August TheJournal.ie, 2021-01-14
  37. 'We are gravely concerned': Chief medical officers issue joint stay-at-home warning TheJournal.ie, 2021-01-15
  38. GPs and nurses get Moderna jab at vaccination centres RTÉ News, 2021-01-16
  39. Nursing and midwifery student placements suspended to redeploy qualified nurses and midwives to support COVID-19 response Gov.ie, 2021-01-16
  40. Govt requests early deliveries of Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine RTÉ News, 2021-01-17
  41. Covid-19: INMO calls for clarity on suspension of student nurse placements The Irish Times, 2021-01-17
  42. Over 2,000 Covid patients in hospital, 200 in ICU RTÉ News, 2021-01-18
  43. 93 further deaths as 2,001 new Covid-19 cases confirmed in Ireland Irish Examiner, 2021-01-19
  44. Government abandons plans to reopen special schools this week The Irish Times, 2021-01-19
  45. St Patrick's Festival Dublin parade cancelled for second year RTÉ News, 2021-01-20
  46. An Taoiseach Micheál Martin congratulates President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on their inauguration Gov.ie, 2021-01-20
  47. Level 5 restrictions to remain, no plan to seal border - Taoiseach RTÉ News, 2021-01-22
  48. Gardaí issue nearly 1,000 fines for Covid breaches in 11 days Irish Independent, 2021-01-22
  49. Transmission of Covid-19 'too high' for schools to reopen, top HSE doctor warns Irish Mirror, 2021-01-22
  50. North Dublin nursing home records 13 deaths after Covid-19 outbreak The Irish Times, 2021-01-22
  51. Woman arrested after Dublin Lord Mayor Hazel Chu harassed by far-right protesters outside Mansion House TheJournal.ie, 2021-01-22
  52. Ireland facing Covid-19 restrictions for first six months of 2021 and vaccine delay for over-70s The Irish Times, 2021-01-23
  53. Taoiseach says there will be restrictions for six months, schools may not reopen until March TheJournal.ie, 2021-01-23
  54. Nationwide snow and ice warning issued RTÉ News, 2021-01-23
  55. Gardaí urge caution on icy roads as west hit by snow RTÉ News, 2021-01-24
  56. Gardaí warn foreign holidays ‘not essential travel’ as they issue over 1,500 fines for breaking 5km travel limit Irish Independent, 2021-01-25
  57. Update on COVID-19 Vaccination Programme - Monday 25 January Gov.ie, 2021-01-25
  58. 42 Covid cases confirmed at Wexford meat plant RTÉ News, 2021-01-25
  59. People warned of scam text messages and calls about the Covid-19 vaccine TheJournal.ie, 2021-01-25
  60. Ireland's Covid-19 death toll passes 3,000 RTÉ News, 2021-01-26
  61. Statement from the National Public Health Emergency Team - Tuesday 26 January Gov.ie, 2021-01-26
  62. Govt agrees to extend Covid-19 restrictions to 5 March RTÉ News, 2021-01-26
  63. Face masks now mandatory in banks and post offices The Irish Times, 2021-01-26
  64. Talks resume hoping to reopen schools on phased basis from mid-February The Irish Times, 2021-01-26
  65. Man arrested over murder of 16-year-old Josh Dunne RTÉ News, 2021-01-28
  66. Katie Taylor is RTÉ Sportsperson of the Year 2020 RTÉ News, 2021-01-28
  67. Taoiseach pays tribute to Tommie Gorman on retirement RTÉ News, 2021-01-29
  68. Ireland faces vaccines shortfall of 300,000 amid bitter row in Europe over supply The Irish Times, 2021-01-29
  69. 2,400 fines issued for non-essential travel with 16 involving house parties Irish Examiner, 2021-01-29
  70. Cork Gardaí fine motorist who travelled over 200km to collect a puppy as a gift EchoLive.ie, 2021-01-29
  71. Irish mountain climber dies in Kenya RTÉ News, 2021-01-29
  72. Status Yellow ice and snow warning for 18 counties RTÉ News, 2021-01-30
  73. Statement from the National Public Health Emergency Team - Saturday 30 January Gov.ie, 2021-01-30
  74. Cases of variant from South Africa identified in Ireland have been contained, says expert TheJournal.ie, 2021-01-30
  75. Ministers Foley and Madigan welcome agreed plan for return to in-school learning for children with special educational needs at primary level Gov.ie, 2021-02-01
  76. Warning over sale of fake Covid-19 travel documents RTÉ News, 2021-02-01
  77. Nearly 300 people fined €100 each at Dublin Airport in last days of January TheJournal.ie, 2021-02-01
  78. Galway nursing home makes appeal for nurses after Covid-19 outbreak RTÉ News, 2021-02-01
  79. Over 30 residents die in Cork/Kerry nursing homes in two weeks Irish Examiner, 2021-02-01
  80. Coronavirus: 101 more deaths in highest toll recorded on one day The Irish Times, 2021-02-02
  81. One-third of deaths in nursing homes from Covid-19 in January Irish Examiner, 2021-02-02
  82. Over 2,000 Leaving Cert students who sat written exams to receive results today TheJournal.ie, 2021-02-02
  83. Gardaí bust some moves in response to Swiss police dance challenge RTÉ News, 2021-02-02
  84. Covid-19 outbreak at Eyre Powell Direct Provision Centre in Newbridge RTÉ News, 2021-02-03
  85. Student gathering led to 61 cases and infected a wedding Irish Examiner, 2021-02-03
  86. Total coronavirus infections recorded in Ireland passes 200,000 as 1,318 new cases and 75 more deaths confirmed Irish Independent, 2021-02-04
  87. Minister Donnelly signs measures to enforce temporary travel restrictions Gov.ie, 2021-02-04
  88. Body of woman (70s) discovered in burning car in Cork TheJournal.ie, 2021-02-04
  89. Beast from the East 2.0: Snow predicted to bring nationwide disruption from Wednesday Irish Examiner, 2021-02-05
  90. Ireland's first dedicated wildlife hospital to open in Co Meath RTÉ News, 2021-02-05
  91. 4,500 people fined for breaching Covid-19 restrictions RTÉ News, 2021-02-05
  92. First doses of AstraZeneca to be given next week as 190,000 shots to arrive this month Irish Independent, 2021-02-05
  93. Minister Foley announces a new phase of planning for the State Examinations to include both the provision of Leaving Certificate examinations and also exploring a corresponding non-examination process. Gov.ie, 2021-02-05
  94. Man arrested over woman's death in north Cork RTÉ News, 2021-02-05
  95. First 21,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine arriving in State is ‘big day’ , Donnelly says The Irish Times, 2021-02-06
  96. Man charged with murder over woman's body found in car in Cork RTÉ News, 2021-02-07
  97. Government hopeful construction sector will reopen on March 5th The Irish Times, 2021-02-08
  98. People turned back at border with Northern Ireland as new rules come into effect TheJournal.ie, 2021-02-08
  99. Accidental poisoning suspected over Cavan deaths RTÉ News, 2021-02-08
  100. Status Yellow weather warning for six counties as up to 5cm of snow to fall Irish Independent, 2021-02-08
  101. Bagatelle singer Liam Reilly has died aged 65 RTÉ Entertainment, 2021-01-01
  102. Former Real IRA leader Michael McKevitt dies following illness Belfast Telegraph, 2021-01-02
  103. James Cross, British diplomat who survived FLQ kidnapping, dead at 99
  104. Former Carlow Councillor Jim Townsend has passed away KCLR 96FM, 2021-01-07
  105. High Court grants barrister her “dying wish” and halves suspension legalfutures.co.uk, 2021-01-14
  106. Tipperary hurling mourns Theo English, winner of five All-Ireland titles Irish Examiner, 2021-01-10
  107. Warke, Rt. Rev. Robert Alexander : Death notice
  108. Legendary Cork football manager Eamonn Ryan passes away Irish Examiner, 2021-01-14
  109. Tribute paid as former Dean of Connor dies Belfast Telegraph, 2021-01-16
  110. Tributes paid after death of filmmaker David Shaw-Smith Irish Examiner, 2021-01-19
  111. President Higgins leads tributes to former Fianna Fáil TD and Senator Brian Hillery Irish Examiner, 2021-01-20
  112. Irish athletics legend Jerry Kiernan passes away, aged 67 Irish Independent, 2021-01-21
  113. "Death of former Olympic boxer Harry Perry aged 86". 23 January 2021. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  114. "Irish cricket great Roy Torrens dies aged 72". 23 January 2021. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  115. Bishop Patrick O'Donoghue, Fr Bernard McCumiskey RIP
  116. Beloved Cork soprano Cara O'Sullivan has died Irish Examiner, 2021-01-26
  117. Tyrone GAA mourn loss of one of its great names Hogan Stand, 2021-01-30
  118. Offaly GAA mourn passing of Harry Donnelly Hogan Stand, 2021-02-04
  119. Irish soccer mourns passing of Shelbourne great Ben Hannigan Irish Independent, 2021-02-04
  120. Death of Eddie Moore Cricket Europe, 2021-02-07
  121. Tributes paid to former LGFA President Tom Kenny Irish Examiner, 2021-02-08
  122. Abbey Theatre and Father Ted actress Rynagh O'Grady dies RTÉ Entertainment, 2021-02-09
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