Forty Foot bathing place in Sandycove in Dublin, historically a men-only nude bathing area. The women were claiming their right to swim there. From that time forward, women swam at the Forty Foot. 1 September – Transition Year was introduced on a pilot basis in three schools. 21 September – Leader of the Opposition Jack Lynch said that the Fianna Fáil party would not support any proposal to repeal Articles 2 and 3 of the Constitution. 4 November – Powerscourt House in Enniskerry, County Wicklow was destroyed by fire. 17 November – President Erskine Childers died suddenly, aged 69, having served less than 17 months of his seven-year term. 10 December – Seán MacBride was presented with the Nobel Prize for Peace. 19 December – Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh was sworn in as the fifth President of Ireland. The first Michelin Guide to cover Ireland was published. The first restaurants awarded stars were The Russell Hotel on St Stephen's Green in Dublin (which closed later in the year) and Arbutus Lodge in Cork. Arts and literature 25 August – The first Kilkenny Arts Festival opened. November – The O'Brien Press published its first book. 19 December – Tom Murphy's adaptation of The Vicar of Wakefield opened at the Abbey Theatre, Dublin. Jennifer Johnston's novel How Many Miles to Babylon? was published. Births 1 January – Eva Birthistle, actress. 12 January – Thomas FitzGerald, Earl of Offaly (died 1997). 29 January – Niall Blaney, Teachta Dála (TD) representing Donegal North-East. 31 March – Victoria Smurfit, actress. 4 April – Kieran Collins, "The Golden Drifter", Gaelic footballer. 23 May – Maria McCool, singer. 17 May – Brídín Brennan, singer. 17 May – Andrea Corr, lead vocalist with The Corrs. 1 July John Davy, cricketer. Peter Davy, cricketer. Olwyn Enright, Fine Gael TD representing Laois–Offaly. 9 July – Gary Kelly, international association football player. 10 July – Imelda May, musician. 19 July – Malcolm O'Kelly, international rugby player. 10 August – Gus Joyce, cricketer. 11 September – Karl Gannon, association football player. 16 September – John McAdorey, relay sprinter. September – Liam Donoghue, Galway hurler. 1 October – Keith Duffy, singer and actor. 15 October – Barry McCrea, novelist. 21 October – Tony Sheridan, association football player. 5 November – Gráinne Seoige, television broadcaster. 12 November – T. J. Ryan, Limerick hurler. 18 November – Graham Coughlan, association football player. 22 November – Finian