11 May – At a meeting in Malahide Castle between TaoiseachCharles Haughey and visiting Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega, Haughey promised Ortega support at the European Council of Ministers for aid and investment for his country despite an earlier telephone call from U.S. secretary of state James Baker urging Haughey to take a tough position against Ortega over democratic standards in Nicaragua.[3]
22 June – An order was signed creating the University of Limerick, the first university founded since the foundation of the state; later in the day Dublin City University was created.
29 June – Charles Haughey resigned as Taoiseach, remaining on in a caretaker capacity.
19 August – Ten thousand people marched from Dublin city centre to the British Embassy calling for British withdrawal from Northern Ireland.
24 September – At least 70 people were injured in a train crash in Claremorris.
19 October – Three of the Guildford Four were released from prison in London. Paul Hill was immediately re-arrested.
21 December – Aer Rianta's five millionth passenger was presented with a holiday to Florida.
Unknown date – The Irish Pride bakery was founded with the merger of Western Pride, Lydon House, Country Crust, and other bakeries.
4 April – The Windmill Lane Consortium said that if it got the franchise[clarification needed] it would be on the air within 9 to 12 months with its television station, TV3.