European Union: 69.1% voted in favour; 30.9% against. 25 June – The issue of a new, smaller 5 pence coin meant that, after 21 years, it was no longer the same size as a shilling. 8 July – President Mary Robinson addressed both houses of the Oireachtas. 23 September – The IRA destroyed the forensic science laboratory in Belfast with a huge bomb. 5 November – The Government lost a confidence motion and the Dáil was dissolved. Two former Taoisigh, Charles Haughey and Garret FitzGerald, announced their retirement from politics. 6 November – A new purple £20 note depicting Daniel O'Connell was issued. 25 November – Three referendums were held on abortion-related issues. The right to abortion-related travel and the right to abortion-related information were supported. 31 December – Unemployment reached record levels: 290,000 people were out of work. Undated An appearance by Christine Buckley on The Gay Byrne Show brought an "overwhelming response" from others who felt they had been victims of incarceration and abuse in industrial schools. Trustee Savings Bank dropped the previous Cork and Limerick Savings Bank name. Arts and literature April – Patrick McCabe's novel The Butcher Boy was published. 11 September – Colm Tóibín's novel The Heather Blazing was published. 23 September – The Irish Film Institute opened the Irish Film Centre in Dublin. 30 September – Vincent Woods' play At the Black Pig's Dyke opened at the Druid Theatre Company. 30 October – Neil Jordan's film The Crying Game was released in Ireland and the U.K. Samuel Beckett's first novel, Dream of Fair to Middling Women, was finally published. Maeve Binchy's novel The Copper Beech was published. Eugene McCabe's novel Death and Nightingales was published. Sport Association football 5 April – Shelbourne won their first League of Ireland Championship for thirty years. Gaelic football Donegal GAA beat Dublin GAA 0–18 to 0–14 to win their first All-Ireland Senior Football Championship. Golf Carroll's Irish Open was won by Nick Faldo (England). Hurling Kilkenny GAA beat Cork GAA 3–10 to 1–12 in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship final. Olympics 8 August – Michael Carruth won Ireland's first gold medal in 36 years at the Olympic Games in Barcelona. Wayne McCullough won a silver medal. Births 13 January – Ryan Connolly, footballer 16 January – Matt Doherty, footballer 23 January – Jack Reynor, actor 27 January – Sam Barry, tennis player 26 April – Shane O'Meara, actor