Events from the year 1977 in Ireland. Incumbents President: Patrick Hillery Taoiseach: Liam Cosgrave (FG) (until 5 July 1977) Jack Lynch (FF) (from 5 July 1977) Tánaiste: Brendan Corish (Lab) (until 5 July 1977) George Colley (FF) (from 5 July 1977) Minister for Finance: Richie Ryan (FG) (until 5 July 1977) George Colley (FF) (from 5 July 1977) Chief Justice: Tom O'Higgins Dáil: 20th (until 25 May 1977) 21st (from 5 July 1977) Seanad: 13th (until 26 May 1977) 14th (from 27 October 1977) Events 29 January – Seven Irish Republican Army bombs exploded in the West End of London, but there were no fatalities or serious injuries. 4 February – British police discovered an IRA bomb factory in Liverpool. 10 February – The three IRA terrorists involved in the 1975 Balcombe Street Siege in London were sentenced to life imprisonment on six charges of murder. 21 February – A crater on the planet Mercury was named after the Irish poet W.B. Yeats. 18 March – Six-year-old Mary Boyle from Kincasslagh vanished from her grandparents' farm near Ballyshannon in County Donegal. 9 May – Ireland's first McDonald's restaurant opened on Grafton Street in Dublin. 29 May – A massive peace rally took place in Belfast organized by Betty Williams, Mairéad Corrigan and Ciarán McKeown. 15 June – Fianna Fáil won the 1977 general election with over 50% of the votes and a 20-seat majority 5 July – The 21st Dáil elected Jack Lynch as Taoiseach. 14 July – The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland was recognised as a college of the National University of Ireland. 10 August – Elizabeth II visited Northern Ireland as part of her Silver Jubilee celebrations under tight security. 10 September – Irish horses were prevented from entering the United States because of an outbreak of venereal disease in Irish, British and French horses. 18 September – In Ennis, County Clare, the Christian Brothers celebrated their 150th anniversary. 3 October – Dunsink Observatory near Finglas was badly damaged by fire. Rubble removed to the nearby municipal dump included valuable Apollo 11 moon rock fragments donated to Ireland by the American government. 22 October – A new £1 note was circulated; the bill was green and depicted Queen Meave. 18 November – The National Council for Educational Awards was given degree awarding status. Arts and literature August – The Boomtown Rats' debut single "Lookin' After No.