Overview
In 1978, Ireland's offshore exploration continues with £100m spent on oil search and Kinsale gas becoming commercially available. The US brokers a peace deal between Israel and Egypt, but Lebanon remains a conflict hotspot, leading to Irish peacekeepers being deployed. Protests erupt over plans to build offices at Dublin's Viking settlement, but the construction proceeds. The year sees the death of Pope Paul VI, followed by Pope John Paul I, and the election of Pope John Paul II. The IRA commits the horrific La Mon Hotel bombing. In sports, Kerry defeats Dublin in the All-Ireland football final, while Cork wins hurling. Anti-nuclear protests stop a proposed power station at Carnsore Point. Environmental concerns arise in County Cork over asbestos dumping. Pirate radio stations grow in popularity, leading to calls for legalization, as RTE launches its second TV channel, RTE 2.