See also: 1955 in Ireland, other events of 1956, 1957 in Ireland and the list of 'years in Ireland'.

Events

• February 15 - Senator Owen Skeffington introduces a motion calling for the prohibition of all corporal punishment for girls in Irish national schools.
• April 2 - President Ó Ceallaigh unveils a bust of Countess Markievicz in st. Stephen's Green, Dublin.
• May 1 - The Minister for Education General Mulcahy introduces the debate on a separate government department for the Gaeltacht.
• May 21 - President Ó Ceallaigh opens the first Cork International Film Festival.
• May 29 - T.K. Whitaker is appointed new Secretary at the Department of Finance.
• August 12 - The GAA postpones the All-Ireland Hurling and Football Finals due to an outbreak of polio.
• November 21 - Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children is opened in Crumlin, Dublin.
• November 30 - Petrol rationing is due to be introduced from January 1 due to the crisis in the Suez.
• December 1 - At the Olympic Games in Melbourne, Australia, Ronnie Delaney wins Ireland's first gold medal for 24 years.

Arts and literature

Sports

Births

Deaths

• November 19 - Tomás Ó Deirg, former Fianna Fáil TD and Cabinet Minister.