2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games

Multi-sport event in Dublin, Ireland

11th Special Olympics World Summer Games
11ú Cluichí Samhraidh Domhanda na gCluichí Oilimpeacha Speisialta

Host city| Dublin, Ireland
Motto| Share the Feeling (Irish: Comhroinn an Mothú)
Nations| 166
Events| 23 sports
Opening| 21 June 2003 (2003-06-21)
Closing| 29 June 2003 (2003-06-29)
Opened by| Mary McAleese and Nelson Mandela
Main venue| Croke Park
Summer

← 1999 North Carolina

2007 Shanghai →

Winter

← 2001 Anchorage

2005 Nagano →

The 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games (Irish: Cluichí Samhraidh Oilimpeacha Speisialta 2003) were hosted in Dublin, Ireland, with participants staying in various host towns around the island of Ireland (Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland) in the lead up to the games before moving to Dublin for the events.[1] Events were held from 21 to 29 June 2003 at many venues including Morton Stadium, the Royal Dublin Society, the National Basketball Arena, all in Dublin. Croke Park served as the central stadium for the opening and closing ceremonies, even though no actual competitions took place there. Belfast, Northern Ireland was the venue for roller skating events (at the Kings Hall), as well as the Special Olympics Scientific Symposium (held from 19 to 20 June).

## The Games

[edit]

The crowd at the 2003 Special Olympics World Games Opening Ceremonies in Croke Park, Dublin, Ireland as Team USA enters the stadium

The 2003 World Games were the first to be held outside of the United States.[2] This was the largest sporting event held in 2003.[3]

### Opening ceremony

[edit]

The opening ceremony was held in Croke Park and featured an array of stars and was hosted by comedian Patrick Kielty.[4] The band U2 were a major feature, and Nelson Mandela officially opened the games.[5] Other performances included The Corrs and the largest Riverdance troupe ever assembled on one stage.[6] 75,000 athletes and spectators were in attendance at the opening ceremonies. Irish and international celebrities such as Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jon Bon Jovi walked with the athletes, with Muhammad Ali as a special guest and Manchester United and Republic of Ireland football player Roy Keane taking the athletes oath with one of the Special Olympians.[7][8]

The Games Flame was lit at the culmination of the Law Enforcement Torch Run, which more than 2,000 members of the Garda Síochána (Irish Police) and the Police Service of Northern Ireland took part in. This was a series of relays carrying the Special Olympics Torch, the "Flame of Hope", from Europe to the Games' official opening.[9][10]

2003 Special Olympics commemorative coin issued by the Central Bank of Ireland

The ceremony was officially opened by President of Ireland Mary McAleese and attended by Taoiseach (Prime Minister of Ireland) Bertie Ahern.[11][8]

### Organisation

[edit]

The organising committee, which was formed in 1999 following the success of the bid, was chaired by entrepreneur Denis O'Brien.[12] The chief executive was Mary Davis.[13]

The 2003 games were the first to have their opening and closing schemes broadcast on live television, and Radio Telefís Éireann provided extensive coverage of the events through their 'Voice of the Games' radio station which replaced RTÉ Radio 1 on Medium Wave for the duration of the event.[14] There was also a nightly television highlight programme.

Among the activities carried out during the Games were thorough medical checks on the athletes, some of whom had previously undiagnosed conditions uncovered, as some of the athletes came from countries with limited medical facilities or had difficulty communicating their symptoms.[15]

A daily newspaper, the Games Gazette was published for each day of the games.[16]

Among the contributors to the Games was the Irish Prison Service. Prisoners in Mountjoy Prison, Midlands Prison, Wheatfield Prison and Arbour Hill Prison who constructed podiums and made flags, towels, signs, benches and other equipment.[17]

### Volunteer programme

[edit]

30,000 volunteer officials and support staff assisted in the running of the games, including 900 staff of the Bank of Ireland who coordinated the host town programme,[18][19] and 800 members of the Irish Defence Forces who maintained the radio communication network, and provided support for bridge building, security duties, VIP drivers, standard bearers for ceremonial events.[20] The Irish Red Cross, Order of Malta and St. John Ambulance Brigade of Ireland provided emergency medical teams at the event sites. Approximately 1,300 members of both Scouting Ireland (CSI) and Scouting Ireland SAI staffed the Awards Teams for all the disciplines throughout the games.[21] 165 volunteers from the then 15 countries of the EU took part in a European Volunteer Project (EVS), the first ever to be organized in event-related mode. The volunteers are commemorated by having their names on a series of plaques situated in Dublin Castle, just outside the Chester Beatty Library.[22]

## Participating teams

[edit]

Approximately 6500 athletes from 166 countries competed in the games in 18 official disciplines, and three exhibition sports.[23][24] The participants from Kosovo were the region's first team at an international sporting event.[25][26]\- A 12-member team from Iraq received special permission to attend the games, despite ongoing war in their home nation. Ireland was represented by an all-island team with athletes from both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.[27] Athletes from Taiwan competed under the name "Chinese Taipei".[28] Athletes from the United States were grouped into eight regional teams; Great Lakes, Mid Atlantic, New England, North Central, North West, South Central, South East, South West.[24]

Ireland's Department of Health has initially bared athletes from areas affected by the 2002–2004 SARS outbreak. This affected athletes from parts of China, Hong Kong, Philippines, Singapore and Taiwan; as well as Toronto in Canada.[29][30] However no country was ultimate banned from participating with Hong Kong and Taiwan's athletes undergoing quarantine.[31][32]

The following teams participated, grouped by Special Olympics regions:

Africa

* Benin
* Botswana
* Burkina Faso
* Cameroon
* Central African Republic
* Chad
* Cote D'Ivoire
* Democratic Republic of Congo
* Gabon
* Gambia
* Ghana
* Guinea
* Kenya
* Lesotho
* Malawi
* Mali
* Mauritius
* Namibia
* Niger
* Nigeria
* Réunion
* Rwanda
* Senegal
* Seychelles
* Sierra Leone
* South Africa
* Swaziland
* Tanzania
* Togo
* Uganda
* Zambia
* Zimbabwe

Asia Pacific

* Afghanistan
* American Samoa
* Australia
* Bangladesh
* Guam
* India (Bharat)
* Indonesia
* Japan (Nippon)
* Malaysia
*   Nepal (Nepa)
* New Zealand
* Pakistan
* Philippines (Pilipinas)
* Singapore
* Thailand

East Asia

* China
* Chinese Taipei
* Hong Kong
* Macau
* South Korea (Korea)

Europe and Eurasia

* Andorra
* Armenia
* Austria
* Azerbaijan
* Belarus
* Belgium
* Bosnia and Herzegovina
* Bulgaria
* Croatia
* Cyprus
* Czech Republic
* Denmark
* Estonia
* Faroe Islands
* Finland
* France
* Georgia
* Germany
* Gibraltar
* Great Britain
* Greece (Hellas)
* Hungary
* Iceland
* Ireland (Host)
* Isle of Man
* Israel
* Italy
* Kazakhstan
* Kosovo
* Kyrgyzstan
* Latvia
* Liechtenstein
* Lithuania
* Luxembourg
* FYR Macedonia
* Malta
* Moldova
* Monaco
* Netherlands
* Norway
* Poland
* Portugal
* Romania
* Russia
* San Marino
* Serbia and Montenegro
* Slovakia
* Slovenia
* Spain
* Sweden
*  Switzerland
* Tajikistan
* Turkey (Türkiye)
* Turkmenistan
* Ukraine
* Uzbekistan

Latin America

* Bolivia
* Brazil
* Chile
* Costa Rica
* Cuba
* Dominican Republic
* Ecuador
* El Salvador
* Guatemala
* Honduras
* Panama
* Paraguay
* Peru
* Puerto Rico
* Uruguay
* Venezuela

Middle East and North Africa

* Algeria
* Bahrain
* Egypt
* Iran
* Iraq
* Jordan
* Kuwait
* Lebanon
* Libya
* Mauritania
* Morocco
* Oman
* Palestine
* Qatar
* Saudi Arabia
* Sudan
* Syria
* Tunisia
* United Arab Emirates
* Yemen

North America

* Aruba
* Bahamas
* Barbados
* Bermuda
* Bonaire
* Canada
* Cayman Islands
* Curacao
* Guadeloupe
* Guyana
* Jamaica
* Martinique
* Mexico
* St. Kitts and Nevis
* Saint Lucia
* St. Vincent and the Grenadines
* Suriname
* Trinidad and Tobago
* United States
* US Virgin Islands

### Host town programme

[edit]

177 towns, cities and villages and the Aran Islands hosted national delegations in the run up to the games.[8] Each town ran programmes to educate the local community about the customs of the country they would host and provided facilities for the teams to acclimatise.[33] Newbridge, County Kildare, host to the Japan delegation won the award for best host town.[34]

No  | Visiting Country  | Host Town(s)[33] | County of Host Town(s)

|
|
|

1 | Albania | Loughrea | Galway
2 | Algeria | Ballinrobe and Clonbur | Mayo and Galway
3 | American Samoa | Dunlavin | Wicklow
4 | Andora | Antrim Borough | Antrim
5 | Antigua and Barbuda | Bangor | Down
6 | Argentina | Derry | Londonderry
7 | Armenia | Ennistymon | Clare
8 | Aruba | Mallow | Cork
9 | Australia | Armagh | Armagh
10 | Austria | Limerick | Limerick
11 | Azerbaijan | Shannon | Clare
12 | The Bahamas | Dungarvan | Waterford
13 | Bahrain | Rathdrum | Wicklow
14 | Bangladesh | Ashbourne | Meath
15 | Barbados | Portarlington | Laois
16 | Belarus | Bandon | Cork
17 | Belgium | Navan | Meath
18 | Benin | Tubbercurry | Sligo
19 | Bermuda | Lisburn | Antrim/Down
20 | Bolivia | Tullow | Carlow
21 | Bonaire | Gorey | Wexford
22 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | Carrick-on-Shannon | Leitrim
23 | Botswana | Trim | Meath
24 | Brazil | Maynooth | Kildare
25 | Bulgaria | Monasterevin | Kildare
26 | Burkina Faso | Bunclody | Wexford
27 | Cameroon | An Spidéal | Galway
28 | Canada | Enniscorthy | Wexford
29 | Cayman Islands | Strabane | Tyrone
30 | Chad | Swinford | Mayo
31 | Chile | Athy | Kildare
32 | China | Bray | Wicklow
33 | Chinese Taipei | Portlaoise | Laois
34 | Congo | Mohill | Leitrim
35 | Costa Rica | Drogheda | Louth
36 | Côte d'Ivoire | Callan | Kilkenny
37 | Croatia | Greystones | Wicklow
38 | Cuba | Cashel | Tipperary
39 | Cyprus | Tipperary | Tipperary
40 | Czech Republic | Skibbereen | Cork
41 | Denmark | Clonakilty | Cork
42 | Dominican Republic | Ballinasloe | Galway
43 | Ecuador | Mountbellew | Galway
44 | Egypt | Tuam | Galway
45 | Estonia | Clifden | Galway
46 | Faroe Islands | Carrickfergus | Antrim
47 | Finland | Buncrana | Donegal
48 | France | Ballina | Mayo
49 | Gabon | Mitchelstown | Cork
50 | The Gambia | Manorhamilton | Leitrim
51 | Georgia | Kilrush | Clare
52 | Germany | Kilkenny | Kilkenny
53 | Ghana | Cahir | Tipperary
54 | Gibraltar | Sligo | Sligo
55 | Greece | Dundalk | Louth
56 | Guadeloupe | Limavady | Londonderry
57 | Guatemala | New Ross | Wexford
58 | Guinea | Kilmore Quay | Wexford
59 | Guyana | Ardee | Louth
60 | Honduras | Banbridge | Down
61 | Hong Kong | Clonmel |  Tipperary
62 | Hungary | Donegal | Donegal
63 | Iceland | Newry | Armagh
64 | India | Athlone | Roscommon/Westmeath
65 | Indonesia | Abbeyleix | Laois
66 | Iran | Macroom | Cork
67 | Ireland | Celbridge, Kilcock, Leixlip and Lucan | Kildare and Dublin
68 | Isle of Man | Rathangan | Kildare
69 | Israel | Ballymena | Antrim
70 | Italy | Killarney | Kerry
71 | Jamaica | Waterford | Waterford
72 | Japan | Newbridge | Kildare
73 | Jordan | Listowel and Tarbert | Kerry
74 | Kazakhstan | Milltown Malbay | Clare
75 | Kenya | Kilcullen | Kildare
76 | South Korea | Borrisokane | Tipperary
77 | Kosovo | Edenderry | Offaly
78 | Kuwait | Castlerea | Roscommon
79 | Kyrgyzstan | Pallasgreen | Limerick
80 | Latvia | Kells | Meath
81 | Lebanon | Mullingar | Westmeath
82 | Lesotho | Cahersiveen | Kerry
83 | Libya | Templemore | Tipperary
84 | Liechtenstein | Carrigaline and Crosshaven | Cork
85 | Lithuania | Clones | Monaghan
86 | Luxembourg | Newport and Westport | Mayo
87 | Macau | Ballybofey and Stranorlar | Donegal
88 | F.Y.R. of Macedonia | Oldcastle | Meath
89 | Malaysia | Banagher | Offaly
90 | Mali | Kanturk | Cork
91 | Malta | Thurles | Tipperary
92 | Martinique | Newcastle West and Rathkeale | Limerick
93 | Mauritania | Drumshanbo | Leitrim
94 | Mauritius | Boyle | Roscommon
95 | Mexico | Cork and Blarney | Cork
96 | Moldova | Castleisland | Kerry
97 | Monaco | Carrickmacross | Monaghan
98 | Morocco | Tullamore | Offaly
99 | Namibia | Cookstown | Tyrone
100 | Nepal | Virginia | Cavan
101 | The Netherlands | Enniskillen | Fermanagh
102 | New Zealand | Naas | Kildare
103 | Nigeria | Killybegs | Donegal
104 | Norway | Magherafelt | Londonderry
105 | Oman | Youghal | Cork
106 | Pakistan | Balbriggan | Dublin
107 | Palestine | Kinsale | Cork
108 | Panama | Newtownabbey | Antrim
109 | Paraguay | Coleraine | Londonderry
110 | Peru | Mountmellick | Laois
111 | The Philippines | Tramore | Waterford
112 | Poland | Wexford | Wexford
113 | Portugal | Aran Islands | Galway
114 | Puerto Rico | Kiltimagh | Mayo
115 | Qatar | Ballaghaderreen | Roscommon
116 | Réunion | Portumna | Galway
117 | Romania | Midleton | Cork
118 | Russia | Ennis and Ballyea | Clare
119 | San Marino | Fermoy | Cork
120 | Saudi Arabia | Roscrea | Tipperary
121 | Senegal | Ballygar | Galway
122 | Seychelles | Baltinglass | Wicklow
123 | Sierra Leone | Castleblaney | Monaghan
124 | Singapore | Arklow | Wicklow
125 | Slovakia | Carrick-on-Suir, Rathgormack and Clonea-Power | Tipperary and Waterford
126 | Slovenia | Carlow | Carlow
127 | South Africa | Dingle | Kerry
128 | Spain | Omagh | Tyrone
129 | Saint Kitts and Nevis | Nenagh | Tipperary
130 | Saint Lucia | Thomastown | Kilkenny
131 | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | Ballymoney | Antrim
132 | Sudan | Bagenalstown | Carlow
133 | Suriname | Waterville | Kerry
134 | Sweden | Newcastle | Down, Dublin or Wicklow (not specified)
135 | Switzerland | Kenmare | Kerry
136 | Syria | Wicklow | Wicklow
137 | Tajikistan | Abbeyfeale | Kerry
138 | Tanzania | Claremorris | Mayo
139 | Thailand | Carlingford and the Cooley Peninsula | Louth
140 | Togo | Athboy | Meath
141 | Trinidad and Tobago | Letterkenny | Donegal
142 | Tunisia | Monaghan and Ballybay | Monaghan
143 | Turkey | Cavan | Cavan
144 | Turkmenistan | Bruff | Limerick
145 | Uganda | Roscommon | Roscommon
146 | Ukraine | Lisdoonvarna and Doolin | Clare
147 | United Arab Emirates | Longford | Longford
148 | United States | Belfast | Antrim/Down
149 | Uruguay | Dungloe | Donegal
150 | Uzbekistan | Kilkee | Clare
151 | Venezuela | Castlebar | Mayo
152 | Virgin Islands | Newtownards | Down
153 | Yemen | Charleville | Cork
154 | F.R. of Yugoslavia | Gort | Galway
155 | Zambia | Cootehill | Cavan
156 | Zimbabwe | Craigavon | Armagh

## Events

[edit]

Athletes and coaches such as Lleyton Hewitt and his coach Roger Rasheed (tennis);[35] Seve Ballesteros,[36] Sandy Lyle and Andrew Marshall (golf),[37] Mick O'Dwyer (Gaelic football) and Brian Kerr (soccer) met and encouraged athletes at events during the games.[38]

Events and venues were:[39]

* Aquatics — National Aquatic Centre, Blanchardstown
* Athletics (track and field) — Morton Stadium, Santry
* Badminton — Badminton Centre, Baldoyle
* Basketball — National Basketball Arena, Tallaght; University College Dublin (UCD), Belfield
* Bocce — Royal Dublin Society (RDS), Ballsbridge
* Bowling — Leisureplex, Blanchardstown
* Cycling — Phoenix Park
* Equestrian — Kill Equestrian Centre, Kill, County Kildare
* Football (soccer) — Athletic Union League Clonshaugh; UCD
* Golf — Portmarnock GC; Elm Green GC, Dunsink
* Gymnastics (artistic and rhythmic) — RDS
* Judo — Sportslink, Santry
* Kayaking — Salmon Leap Canoe Club, Leixlip
* Motor Activity Training Program — RDS
* Pitch and putt — Glenville Pitch & Putt, Old Bawn
* Powerlifting — RDS
* Roller skating — King's Hall, Belfast
* Sailing — Royal St. George Yacht Club, Dún Laoghaire
* Table tennis — RDS
* Team handball — National Show Centre, Cloghran
* Tennis — David Lloyd Riverview, Clonskeagh
* Volleyball — ALSAA, Dublin Airport; Dublin City University, Glasnevin

## References

[edit]

### Sources

[edit]

* Office of the Tánaiste (1997). "Report of the interdepartmental group established to examine the feasibility of Ireland making a bid to host the Special Olympics World games in 2003" (PDF). Dublin: Stationery Office.
* "Perceptions of the Special Olympics Experience; 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games" (PDF). Special Olympics.

### Citations

[edit]

1. ^ "The Sun Never Sets on the Special Olympics Movement". Special Olympics. Retrieved 4 September 2017.
2. ^ Tierney, Lynn (August 2003). "A Very Special Olympics". IrishAmerica.com. Archived from the original on 15 August 2020.
3. ^ "Special Olympics 2003 - Ten Years On". RTÉ Sport. 21 June 2013.
4. ^ "Patrick Kielty, MC speaking to the audience at the Opening Ceremony of the Special Olympics World Summer Games, Croke Park Dublin 2003". 17 November 2010 – via Flickr.
5. ^ Russell, Adrian (21 June 2013). "18 images that will remind you how amazing the Special Olympics opening ceremony was". The 42.
6. ^ "Special Olympics World Games Opening Ceremony 21st June 2003". 21 June 2003.
7. ^ "ShowBiz Ireland - Special Olympics 2003 comes to town". www.showbiz.ie.
8. ^ a b c Nugent, Ryan (17 June 2023). "Legacy of 2003 Special Olympics remains strong as Irish athletes descend on Berlin for a tilt at glory". Independent.ie.
9. ^ "Marketing contribution to Torch Run After Action Report" (PDF). SpecialOlympics.org. 2003.
10. ^ "Cheering crowds welcome Olympic flame". IrishExaminer.com. 13 June 2003.
11. ^ "President of Ireland, Mary McAleese at the Opening Ceremony of the Special Olympics World Summer Games, Croke Park, Dublin 2003". 17 November 2010 – via Flickr.
12. ^ "Special Olympics Closing Ceremony". RTÉ Archives.
13. ^ Harrison, Marian (31 August 2010). "Mary for president?". WesternPeople.ie. Archived from the original on 27 September 2011.
14. ^ "Voice of the Games". Radiowaves.FM. Archived from the original on 15 May 2021.
15. ^ "High Prevalence of Hearing Loss at the Special Olympics: Is This Representative of People with Intellectual Disability? | Request PDF".
16. ^ "Games Gazette: the Official Newspaper of the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games". National Library of Ireland. 2003.
17. ^ Breslin, John (10 June 2003). "Special Olympian effort by inmates, prison officers". IrishExaminer.com.
18. ^ "2003 Special Olympics World Games launches appeal for 160 towns". Wexford People. 18 May 2001 – via Independent.ie.
19. ^ "Building on wave of support for Special Olympics". Wexford People. 4 December 2003 – via Independent.ie.
20. ^ "Defence Forces to chip in for Special Olympics". Irish Examiner. 21 May 2003.
21. ^ "Now let the 2003 Games begin". Independent.ie. 19 June 2003.
22. ^ Little, Rebecca (9 December 2003). "Sculpture for Olympics volunteers unveiled". The Irish Times.
23. ^ "2003 Special Olympics Competition Results". www.2003specialolympics.com. Archived from the original on 4 December 2003. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
24. ^ a b "2003 World Summer Games". www.2003specialolympics.com. Archived from the original on 15 July 2003. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
25. ^ "Team Kosovo". Archived from the original on 20 November 2008. Retrieved 14 January 2008.
26. ^ "2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games > EE.SO Kosovo". Archived from the original on 19 September 2008.
27. ^ "Special Olympics: Ireland celebrate seven up medal heaven". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. 27 June 2003.
28. ^ "2003 World Summer Games > EA.SO Chinese Taipei". www.2003specialolympics.com. Archived from the original on 4 September 2003. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
29. ^ "Final bid by Hong Kong on SARS ban". The Irish Times. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
30. ^ Reyes, Marc; Salazar, Tess (18 May 2003). "Lawmaker protest Pinoy kids' exclusion from Special Olympics". Philippine Daily Inquirer. p. A4. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
31. ^ Casey, Aisling; Brennan, Micheal (13 June 2003). "Taiwanese athletes get the Games go-ahead despite SARS-infected status". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
32. ^ "Ireland lifts ban on RP special athletes". Philippine Daily Inquirer. 23 May 2003. p. A23. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
33. ^ a b Kearns, Martha (19 November 2001). "Race is on to master atlas as country prepares to become a global village". The Irish Independent. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
34. ^ "Newbridge wins Bank of Ireland Host Town of the Year Award". Special Olympics World Summer Games 2003. Archived from the original on 24 January 2004. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
35. ^ "Hewitt is a smash hit with special athletes". EnfieldIndependent.co.uk. 30 June 2004.
36. ^ Foley, Cliona (23 June 2003). "Seve tees off with golfing athletes". Independent.ie.
37. ^ McDonagh, Marese (24 June 2003). "Stars still around as Bertie boos fall on deaf ears". Independent.ie.
38. ^ George, Bill (24 December 2003). "Special Olympics light up the year". Irish Examiner.
39. ^ Special Olympics, p.7; Condon, Deborah. "The Special Olympics is here". IrishHealth.com. Retrieved 30 July 2018.; Heffernan, Breda (27 June 2003). "Tipp boys vital to Ireland". Independent.ie. Retrieved 30 July 2018.

## External links

[edit]

* 2003 World Games official website (Archived)
* Official list of nations and athletes
* Special Olympics 2003 Results
* Irish Prison Service release on their inmates work for the Special Olympics
* Special Olympics Ireland website

* v
* t
* e

Special Olympics World Games

* Special Olympics

Summer|

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Winter|

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* 2022 Kazan‡
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Countries|

* Bangladesh
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Others|

* Flame of Hope
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Key figures|

* Eunice Kennedy Shriver
* Anne McGlone Burke
* Sargent Shriver
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* Mary Davis

‡Cancelled due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine

* v
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History of Dublin

Timeline and general|

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Early Dublin|

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Middle Ages|

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Early modern|

* Escape of Hugh Roe O'Donnell et al. from Dublin Castle (1592)
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* Phoenix Park Murders (1882)
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Late modern|

* Hill of Howth Tramway (1901-59)
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* The O'Connell Bridge photographer (1930s-1985)
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* RTÉ Studio bombing (1969)
* Dublin fires (1970)
* Contraceptive Train (1971)
* Hosting of the Eurovision Song Contest (1971, 1981, 1988, 1994, 1995, 1997)
* Poolbeg Chimneys (1971)
* Burning of the British Embassy in Dublin (1972)
* Dublin bombings (1972-73)
* Mountjoy Prison helicopter escape (1973)
* Dublin and Monaghan Bombings (1974)
* Dublin Airport bombing (1975)
* "Save Wood Quay" (1978-79)
* Stardust fire (1981)
* "GUBU" (Malcolm MacArthur) (1982)
* Dublin Area Rapid Transit (1984)
* Hurricane Charley flooding (1986)
* Self Aid (1986)
* Students Against the Destruction of Dublin (1987-91)
* Dublin Millennium celebrations (1988)
* European Capital of Culture (1991)
* Local Government (Dublin) Act 1993 (1993)
* Lansdowne Road football riot (1995)
* Assassination of Veronica Guerin (1996)

Contemporary|

* Crumlin-Drimnagh feud (2000-2016)
* Hosting of the Special Olympics (2003)
* Spire of Dublin (2003)
* Luas (2004)
* May Day protests (2004)
* Dublin riots (2006)
* Dublin Port Tunnel (2006)
* Anti-austerity demonstrations (2008-15)
* 2008 floods (2008)
* Dublinbikes (est. 2009)
* Bank of Ireland robbery (2009)
* M50 motorway (2010)
* Slovak Police training explosives incident (2010)
* UNESCO City of Literature (2010)
* Silicon Docks (est. 2011)
* Occupy Dame Street (2011-12)
* Hutch–Kinahan feud (2015-to date)
* Occupation of Apollo House (2017)
* Dublin Tech Summit (est. 2017)
* The Beast from the East (2018)
* Coolock feud (2019-20)
* COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2023)
* Dublin riots (2021)
* Irish anti-immigration protests (2022-to date)
* Dublin mass stabbing & riot (2023)

Annual sporting events|

* Dublin Horse Show (est. 1864)
* Hosting of the All-Ireland Football Final (est. 1888)
* Leopardstown Racecourse (est. 1888)
* Phoenix Park Racecourse (1902-1990)
* Hosting of the All-Ireland Hurling Final (est. 1912)
* Liffey Swim (est. 1920)
* Dublin–Limerick hurling rivalry (1923 - to date)
* Liffey Descent canoe race (est. 1960)
* Dublin Marathon (est. 1980)
* Women's Mini Marathon (est. 1983)
* Great Ireland Run (est. 2003)
* Art O'Neill Challenge (est. 2009)
* Dublin City Half Marathon (est. 2025)

Preceded by

North Carolina,United States

|  Special Olympics World Summer Games | Succeeded by

Shanghai,China

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