1 December – Pearse O'Neill, Cork Gaelic footballer. 31 December – Elaine Cassidy, actress. Full date unknown Raymond Daniels, Wicklow Gaelic footballer (died 2008). Cathy Davey, alternative rock singer-songwriter. Neil Delamere, comedian. Deaths 20 January – Billy McCracken, footballer and football manager (born 1883). 21 January – T. C. Kingsmill Moore, senior counsel, represented Dublin University in the Seanad from 1943 to 1948 (born 1893). 16 February – Jack Barrett, hurler (Kinsale, Cork, Munster) (born 1910). 2 March – Christy Ring, hurler (Glen Rovers, Cork, Munster) (born 1920). 18 April – Seán Brosnan, barrister, Fianna Fáil TD and Senator (born 1916). 14 May – Peter Kerley, radiologist (born 1900). 25 May – Desmond Clarke, librarian and writer (born 1907). 29 May – Henry Coyle, Cumann na nGaedheal TD. 2 August – John Leydon, Secretary, Department of Industry and Commerce. 11 August – J. G. Farrell, novelist (born 1935). 4 June – James Hamilton, 4th Duke of Abercorn, soldier and politician (born 1904). 10 August – Joseph O'Doherty, Sinn Féin MP, Fianna Fáil TD and Seanad member (born 1891). 10 September – Daniel Costigan, former Garda Síochána Commissioner. 15 November – Patrick McGilligan, Cumann na nGaedheal/Fine Gael TD and Cabinet Minister (born 1889). 17 December – Harold Jackson, cricketer (born 1888). See also 1979 in Irish television References 1970s in Ireland Ireland Years of the 20th century in Ireland