FROM THE SEANAD Abolition Referendum to the ‘top up’ payments controversy, the second half of 2013 has certainly been eventful.
We tested your knowledge on the first six months of the year in the first part of our quiz yesterday — let’s see how you get on with the final 60 questions….
[Stephen Chernin/AP/Press Association Images]
1. Picture question! The man above announced back in July that he would be re-entering US politics, five years after resigning over a sex scandal. Who is he? Elliot Spitzer
2. Leo Varadkar said afterwards it had been "like losing a family member" but Enda Kenny said the people in question "know the rules and regulations". What were they talking about? The expulsion of FG TDs who voted against the party during the Protection of Life Bill
3. All 30 people on board were saved in dramatic rescue operation after this ship ran aground off the coast of Kinsale on 24 July. The vessel's name? Astrid
4. "A genuine, technical mistake" is how Labour Chief Whip Emmet Stagg described what his colleague Deputy Michael McNamara had just done in the Dáil. This was during a vote on the Protection of Life Bill. What was the mistake? He voted against the Government
5. Speaking of mistakes, Fine Gael said there was 'no malice involved' after an incident in the Dáil involving party TD Tom Barry and a female colleague. What had he done? He grabbed a female colleague and pulled her onto his lap
6. In the US, Rolling Stone magazine came in for heavy criticism for their choice of cover image. Why? It was a photo of Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev
7. This Fine Gael TD from Dublin was appointed as the new Minister of State for European Affairs. His name, please? Paschal Donohoe
8. During a debate on the abolition of the Seanad, Fianna Fáil senator Terry Leyden got himself into hot water by describing Hitler and Mussolini as... what? Good Christians
9. One of the main stars of 'Not the Nine O'Clock News' --- this comedian, producer and movie director died in July, aged 60. His name? Mel Smith
10. In spite of once referring to a sitting French president as a "wanker" this well-known Southside Dublin resident picked up that country's highest cultural honour in July. Who are we talking about? Bono
[Evan Vucci/AP/Press Association Images]
1. Barack Obama gave a major public speech on the steps of Washington's Lincoln Memorial (above). What anniversary was he marking? The fiftieth anniversary of Martin Luther King's 'I Have a Dream' speech
2. This Pakistani campaigner became the latest recipient of the Tipperary Peace Prize. Her name, please? Malala Yousafzai
3. In the UK, politician Godfrey Bloom got himself in trouble for referring to 'Bongo Bongo Land'. Which political party is he a member of? UKIP
4. Veteran current affairs presenter Vincent Browne took on his biggest opponent so far in a six-part TV3 series that began in August. Who? God
5. The Government began a recruitment campaign to hire a new Ombudsman. Who were they seeking to replace? Emily O'Reilly
6. Some 400,000 Dubliners had to make alternative plans to get to work. Why? A strike by Dublin Bus
7. Stephen Fry wrote an open letter to Vladimir Putin, criticising his anti-gay policies and calling for a major world event to be moved from Russia. What event? The Winter Olympics
8. 63 people were arrested for public order offences during a concert at Slane Castle on 17 August. Who was headlining? Eminem
9. The author of 'Get Shorty' and 'Rum Punch' (later adapted into the movie Jackie Brown) this US author died on 20 August, aged 87... Elmore Leonard
10. This 55-year-old Scottish actor was named by the BBC as the new 'Doctor'. Who? Peter Capaldi
[Photocall Ireland]
1. Pictured above is the new bridge over the River Liffey. Its name was decided in September: who is it to be called after? Rosie Hackett
2. Which high-profile newspaper columnist spent around two hours in Wheatfield Prison after he refused to pay a parking fine on a point of principle? John Waters
3. A former Fianna Fáil TD (and grandson of one of the party's founders) jumped ship and joined Sinn Féin. Who? Chris Andrews
4. It emerged that this Dun Laoghaire native could become the first Irishman in space, after he was offered a spot on a commercial trip by the Space Expedition Corporation. Who? Bob Geldof
5. Giovanni Trapattoni and Marco Tardelli left their positions as manager and assistant manager with the Republic of Ireland 'by mutual consent'. But how long had they been in charge? Five years
6. In the US, the CEO of Starbucks made a (seemingly pretty reasonable) request that customers leave certain items at home when they come in for a coffee. What? Guns
7. After venues in Dublin pulled out, a controversial 'child beauty' contest run by a Texas-based company eventually went ahead in a pub beer garden. In what county? Monaghan
8. This world-renowned broadcaster, perhaps best known for his interviews with Richard Nixon, died aged 74. His name, please? David Frost
9. Paul Simon wrote that this Irishman's “directness and simplicity” was “a virtue most writers aspire to but rarely achieve”. To whom was he referring? Seamus Heaney
10. An Irish group were named as one of the 12 acts in contention for a Mercury Music Prize. Who? Villagers
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1. German spy chiefs traveled to Washington to demand answers, following allegations concerning Chancellor Angela Merkel. What specific claim were they looking into? The bugging of her phone
2. The royal baby was christened in London. What's his name? George
3. Senator David Norris parted company with something that had been in his life for 40 years --- all in aid of cancer research. What? His beard
4. After a €1 increase in excise on wine in last year's Budget, a further increase was announced by Finance Minister Micheal Noonan in Budget 2014. How much? 50c
5. Ryanair said it would bring a further 1,000 passengers into Ireland next year as a result of a specific measure announced in the Budget. Why were they so optimistic? The air travel tax was scrapped
6. An incident in first few minutes of the new series of crime drama Love/Hate led to widespread criticism from animal rights groups. What happened? There was a scene depicting a cat being shot
7. This outspoken Dublin South politician resigned from Fine Gael after handing in a letter to the Taoiseach. He had already been expelled from the parliamentary party. Who? Peter Mathews
8. Féinphic was added to the Irish language dictionary Focal.ie. The English translation of the word has been in the news quite a bit this year --- what is it? Selfie
9. Writer of 'Perfect Day' and 'Satellite of Love' amongst many other rock classics, this musical icon passed away, aged 71... Lou Reed
10. It was revealed that this Irish actor --- who has some previous experience portraying politicians --- would be playing Charlie Haughey in a new drama. Who? Aidan Gillen
[AP Photo/Jeff Chiu]
1. In the US, a city's citizens got together to make dreams come true for five-year-old Miles Scott, AKA 'Batkid'. Which city? San Francisco
2. It was announced that Michael D Higgins would make the first state visit by a sitting Irish president --- to which country? Britain
3. A new phrase began to sweep the US news networks; please complete it: "Crack-smoking Mayor of Toronto __ ___". Rob Ford
4. Which media company announced plans to have a new national TV station on air in 2015 and go "head to head with RTÉ and TV3". UTV
5. Michael Noonan declared 7 November a "red letter day". Why? The Troika completed their last quarterly bailout review
6. It was announced that Brian O'Driscoll and Father Peter McVerry would join the likes of U2 and Nelson Mandela in receiving which honour? The Freedom of Dublin
7. Sports Minister Leo Varadkar said he was "very confident" Ireland would bid for the this major sporting tournament. What event was he talking about? The Rugby World Cup
8. After months off the air, this broadcaster received widespread praise for speaking frankly about his depression as he returned to his weekday radio slot. Who are we talking about? John Murray
9. TV3 announced they would be commissioning a series about a well-known Irish political dynasty, after 570,000 tuned in to watch a one-off fly-on-the-wall documentary. What family? The Healy-Raes
10. Terry Jones said he hoped to be "able to pay off my mortgage" as a result of the new live dates being performed by Monty Python. Can you name three other members of the comedy troupe? John Cleese, Michael Palin, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam or Graham Chapman (deceased)
[Photocall Ireland]
1. At the Mandela memorial service, Barack Obama was criticised for taking a 'selfie' with David Cameron and the prime minister of which country? Denmark
2. After tweeting that "fortune favours the brave" this politician confirmed he would be joining the Fianna Fáil benches and becoming the party's newest TD. Who? Colm Keaveney
3. On Sunday 15 December, RTÉ aired 'Room to Improve' ten minutes later than its scheduled 9.30pm start. Why? The Taoiseach was making a 'state of the nation' address
4. "I’m dating a guy and I couldn’t be happier": This British athlete received widespread praise from campaign groups after he posted a 'coming out' message on Youtube. Who? Tom Daley
5. An Taisce began a court challenge in London over the British Government's decision to build... what? A new nuclear power plant
6. Ireland topped a list in Forbes magazine, rising six places. What was the poll measuring? Best countries in the world for business
7. Which TD introduced the Dáil to the word 'amazeballs' (or as he put it 'amazey-balls')? Aengus Ó'Snodaigh
8. The four members of U2 paid tribute to his "extraordinary leadership, guidance and friendship". To whom were they referring? Paul McGuinness
9. This 40-year-old actor, known for his role in a long-running series of action movies, died in a car crash north of LA... Paul Walker
10. Time's 'Person of the Year' was named on 11 December. Who made the cover? Pope Francis
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