Annunciation in Rathfarnham, Dublin. Arts and literature 20 March – Ireland entered the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time, represented by Butch Moore. Dominic Behan's biography My Brother Brendan was published. John McGahern's novel The Dark was published. Iris Murdoch's novel The Red and the Green, with an Easter Rising setting, was published. Dervla Murphy's first travel book, Full Tilt: Ireland to India with a Bicycle, was published. Science and technology The Young Scientist Exhibition was held for the first time. Births 18 January – Paudge Behan, actor 22 January – Denis Walsh, Cork Gaelic footballer and hurler. 22 February – Kieren Fallon, champion flat racing jockey. 28 February – Colum McCann, fiction writer. 10 March – Damien Hancock, association football referee. 17 March – Joe Cooney, Galway hurler. 24 March – John Commins, Galway hurler. 26 March – John McDonnell, association football player and manager. 30 April – Eddie McGoldrick, association football player born in England of Irish descent. 14 May – Eoin Colfer, author. 28 May – Mary Coughlan, Tánaiste and Fianna Fáil party Teachta Dála (TD) for Donegal South-West. 22 June – Enda McCallion, film director. June – Jim Cashman, Cork hurler. 1 July – Teddy McCarthy, Cork Gaelic footballer and hurler. 10 July – Dominic Hannigan, politician 30 July – Declan Carr, Tipperary hurler. 2 October – Keith Ridgway, writer. 8 October – Ardal O'Hanlon, comedian, actor and writer. 31 October – Denis Irwin, association football player. 10 November – Sean Hughes, comedian born in England of Irish parents (died 2017). 20 November – Diarmuid Wilson, Fianna Fáil party Senator. 25 November – David Kelly, association footballer born in England of Irish descent. Full date unknown Mike McCormack, novelist. Deaths 7 January – Jimmy O'Dea, comedian (born 1899). 6 February – Tom Jameson, cricketer (born 1892). 10 February – Jim Hurley, veteran of the Irish War of Independence, Cork Gaelic footballer and hurler (born 1902). 15 February Bill Britton, athlete (born 1890). Sam Thompson, playwright (born 1916). 13 March – Patrick Giles, Fine Gael party TD (born 1899). 10 April – James Duhig, Archbishop of Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane (born 1873). 12 June – Arthur Cox, solicitor, priest, nominated to 8th Seanad by the Taoiseach in 1954. 22 June – Piaras Béaslaí, member of the Irish Republican Brotherhood, member of Dáil Éireann, author, playwright, biographer and translator (born 1881). 17 July – Frank Ryan,