See also: 1959 in Ireland, other events of 1961, 1961 in Ireland and the list of 'years in Ireland'.

Events

• January 13 - The Broadcasting Authority Bill proposes to establish an authority to provide the new national television service.
• January 16 - A 103-year old shipping service between Cork and Glasgow ends.
• February 3 - Irish candidate F.H. Boland receives the support of the United States for the presidency of the General Assembley of the United Nations.
• February 4 - Figures released today show that 118 million telephone calls were made in 1959.
• February 5 - Mise Éire is premiered in Dublin's Regal Rooms cinema.
• February 17 - The Television Bill passes its final stage in Seanad Éireann.
• May 27 - The last barge on the Grand Canal leaves Dublin carrying Guinness to Limerick. It is the end of 156-year-old service.
• November 8 - Nine Irish soldiers serving with the United Nations are killed in the Congo.
• November 22 - The nation mourns as the funerals take place of the eight soldiers killed in the Congo.

Arts and literature

Sports

Births

• March 13 - Adam Clayton, bass player with U2.
• May 10 - Bono, lead singer with U2.

Deaths