Events from the year 1947 in Ireland. Incumbents President: Seán T. O'Kelly Taoiseach: Éamon de Valera (FF) Tánaiste: Seán Lemass (FF) Minister for Finance: Frank Aiken (FF) Chief Justice: Conor Maguire Dáil: 12th Seanad: 5th Events 19 January to 15 March – an arctic cold snap with five major blizzards caused many deaths. 30 January – the internationally known labour leader Jim Larkin died in Dublin aged 72. 18 May – the 21st anniversary of the founding of the Fianna Fáil party was celebrated in the Capitol Theatre, Dublin. 7 July – the Aer Lingus airline began a direct service between Dublin and Amsterdam. 31 July – the Soviet Union blocked Ireland's entry into the United Nations. 11 August – the Enterprise Express train service commenced from Belfast to Dublin. 31 August – United States Congressman John F. Kennedy visited his sister Kathleen in Ireland during the Congressional summer recess. He visited again in 1955 and 1963. 14 September – the All-Ireland Football Final was played in the Polo Grounds in New York. Cavan were victorious over Kerry. 3 November – a 60-day transport strike ended in Dublin. Trams and buses returned to normal service. Undated The Customs Free Airport Act established Shannon as the world's first duty-free airport. The Poulaphouca Reservoir was completed. The Waterford Crystal glassmaking business was revived by Charles Bacik. Arts and literature June – Joan Denise Moriarty's Cork Ballet Group gave its first performance, at the Cork Opera House under the baton of Aloys Fleischmann. Donagh MacDonagh's poetry The Hungry Grass was published. Séamus Ó Néill's novel Tonn Tuile was the first book published by Irish language publisher Sáirséal agus Dill in Dublin. Sport Football League of Ireland Winners: Shelbourne FAI Cup Winners: Cork United 2–2, 2–1 Bohemians. Gaelic Games Cavan won historic All Ireland final in Polo Grounds, New York. Golf The Irish Open was won by Harry Bradshaw (Ireland). Swimming 27–28 July – English endurance swimmer Tom Blower became the first person to swim the North Channel, from Donaghadee in County Down to Portpatrick in Scotland. Births 18 January – John O'Conor, pianist. 26 January – Red Morris, 4th Baron Killanin, film producer. 9 February – Eamon Duffy, religious historian. 1 March Brian Fitzgerald, Labour Party TD. Liz McManus, Labour Party TD for Wicklow. Kate Walsh, Progressive Democrats Senator (died 2007). 30 March Kevin Myers, journalist. Dick Roche, university lecturer, Fianna Fáil TD