2001 in Northern Ireland
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Events
- 29 April - 2001 United Kingdom Census carried out. The Northern Ireland population is 1,685,267.[1]
- 15 June - Dispute arises between local loyalist and republican activists on the Crumlin Road peace line in North Belfast over the flying of loyalist paramilitary flags. Loyalists begin to picket the nearby Holy Cross Primary School, continuing throughout June.
- 3 September - Loyalist pickets at Holy Cross resume when the school re-opens for a new term, leading to unrest and rioting.
- 23 October - The Provisional Irish Republican Army announces that it has begun to decommission its weapons.[2]
- 4 November - The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) is established.
- 12 November - 400 police officers are involved in escorting the children and their parents to and from Holy Cross school.
- November 17 - The Gaelic Athletic Association votes to abolish its controversial Rule 21. Members of the British Army and the Police Service of Northern Ireland will henceforth be permitted to play.
- 22 November - First Minister David Trimble and Deputy First Minister Mark Durkan meet with residents of Upper Ardoyne, and the next day, 23 November, the Holy Cross dispute is called off after 14 weeks.
- Saint Patrick Visitor Centre opens in Downpatrick.
Arts and literature
- Odyssey Arena and entertainment complex is opened in Belfast.
- Flautist James Galway is knighted.
- Eoin McNamee's novel The Blue Tango is published.
Sport
Boxing
- The Men's 2001 World Amateur Boxing Championships were held in Belfast from June 3 to June 10. Almost 400 boxers from 67 countries took part in the Odyssey Arena event.
Football
- Irish League
- Winners: Linfield
Golf
- Senior British Open Championship held at Royal County Down Golf Club, (winner:Ian Stanley).
- Graeme McDowell is a member of the Great Britain and Ireland team which retained the Walker Cup at Sea Island in Georgia.
Motorcycling
- Ulster Grand Prix and North West 200 cancelled due to Foot-and Mouth crisis.
Deaths
- 14 August - Stanley Hewitt, cricketer (born 1936).
- 28 September - Martin O'Hagan, journalist (born 1950).
- 12 December - Michael Torrens-Spence, held commissions in the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm, the Royal Air Force, the British Army, Ulster Special Constabulary and Ulster Defence Regiment (born 1914).
Full date unknown
- James Simmons, poet, literary critic and songwriter (born 1933).