Events from the year 2001 in Ireland. Incumbents President: Mary McAleese Taoiseach: Bertie Ahern (FF) Tánaiste: Mary Harney (PD) Minister for Finance: Charlie McCreevy (FF) Chief Justice: Ronan Keane Dáil: 28th Seanad: 21st Events 22 March – Ireland confirms its first case of foot-and-mouth disease. 7 June – Voters reject the Treaty of Nice in a referendum. 9 September – The National Museum of Ireland's Museum of Country Life at Turlough, County Mayo, is officially opened. 14 September – Ireland holds a national day of mourning following the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington, D.C. All sports, public functions, and entertainment are cancelled on orders of the government. Schools, businesses, and shops are closed, also on orders of the government. President Mary McAleese says that the events are "an attack on the very foundations of human dignity" and left the people of Ireland "sad, shocked, sickened, grieving, disbelieving, outraged, frightened all at once." 14 October – The first multiple state funeral is held in honour of ten Irish Republican Army volunteers who were executed by the British for their part in the War of Independence. 23 October – The Provisional Irish Republican Army commences disarmament after peace talks. 4 November – The Police Service of Northern Ireland is established. 17 November – The Gaelic Athletic Association votes to abolish its controversial Rule 21 which previously prevented members of the British Army and the Police Service of Northern Ireland from playing. 14 December – Irish euro coins becomes available in An Post and bank branches. These "starter packs" contained nineteen coins worth €6.35 and could be purchased for IR£5. Arts and literature February–April – Conor McPherson's play Port Authority premièred in London and Dublin. 26 June – Two Old Master paintings from the Alfred Beit collection were stolen from Russborough House. 8 August – Australian soap opera series Neighbours gets its first ever Irish transmission on Network 2. 1 October – First season of Bachelors Walk on Network 2. Publication of Julian Gough's novel Juno & Juliet. Publication of John McGahern's last novel That They May Face the Rising Sun. Publication of Kate Thompson's children's novel The Beguilers. Sport Equestrianism Show jumping Kevin Babington, Peter Charles, Jessica Kurten and Dermott Lennon won the senior European Show Jumping Championships Team Gold medals. Golf Murphy's Irish Open was won by Colin Montgomerie (Scotland). Births 18 January – Niamh McCormack, actress