2011 in Ireland

File:McAleese.jpg Mary McAleese]]

File:Enda Kenny 2015 (cropped).jpg Enda Kenny]]

• President:
• Mary McAleese (until 10 November 2011)
• Michael D. Higgins (from 11 November 2011)
• Taoiseach:
• Brian Cowen (FF) (until 9 March 2011)
• Enda Kenny (FG) (from 9 March 2011)
• Tánaiste:
• Mary Coughlan (FF) (until 9 March 2011)
• Eamon Gilmore (Lab) (from 9 March 2011)
• Minister for Finance:
• Brian Lenihan (FF) (until 9 March 2011)
• Michael Noonan (FG) (from 9 March 2011)
• Chief Justice:
• John L. Murray (until 25 July 2011)
• Susan Denham (from 25 July 2011)
• Dáil:
• 30th (until 1 February 2011)
• 31st (from 9 March 2011)
• Seanad:
• 23rd (until 20 April 2011)
• 24th (from 25 May 2011)

{{Births and deaths ToC}}

• 1 January
• The Civil Partnership Act came into effect allowing civil partnerships where hetero- and homosexual cohabiting couples have the same rights.[http://breakingnews.ie/ireland/civil-partnership-bill-comes-into-effect-487594.html#ixzz19mj0gZhH "Civil Partnership Bill comes into effect"]. BreakingNews.ie, 1 January 2011.
• Met Éireann confirmed that December 2010 was the coldest on record, with a temperature of -17.5{{nbsp}}°C recorded in Straide, County Mayo, on Christmas Day.{{Cite news|url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/more-snow-on-way-after-coldest-ever-december-26611295.html|title=More snow on way after coldest ever December|last=Melia|first=Paul|date=5 January 2011|work=Irish Independent|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120804070853/http://www.independent.ie/national-news/more-snow-on-way-after-coldest-ever-december-2483944.html|archive-date=4 August 2012|url-status=live}}
• 5 January
• Michael Finneran, Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government of the Fianna Fáil party, announced he would not contest the 2011 general election.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0106/breaking7.html|title=Killeen would not contest election|last=Carroll|first=Steven|date=6 January 2011|newspaper=The Irish Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110128070442/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0106/breaking7.html|archive-date=28 January 2011|url-status=live}}
• Minister for Defence, Fianna Fáil's Tony Killeen announced he will not contest the 2011 general election.
• 8 January – Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála (TD) for Meath East, Mary Wallace, announced she will not contest the 2011 general election.{{Cite news|url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/wallace-becomes-12th-ff-td-to-retire-from-politics-26612350.html|title=Wallace becomes 12th FF TD to retire from politics|last=Sheehan|first=Maeve|date=9 January 2011|work=Sunday Independent|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120910012017/http://www.independent.ie/national-news/wallace-becomes-12th-ff-td-to-retire-from-politics-2489494.html#selection-1577.0-1577.50|archive-date=10 September 2012|url-status=live}}
• 18 January – A spectacular fireball that exploded in the clear Irish sky at 6{{nbsp}}pm was witnessed across the country. Astronomers calculated that it may have landed as a meteorite in County Clare.{{cite web|title=It's raining money! Hunt is on as space rock worth over ten times its weight in gold lands in Ireland.|url=https://www.questia.com/read/1G1-247014337|date=20 January 2011}}
• 22 January – The Taoiseach, Brian Cowen, resigned his position as leader of the Fianna Fáil party.{{Cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0122/breaking5.html|title=Cowen resigns as FF leader, but to remain as Taoiseach|last=McGee|first=Harry|date=22 January 2011|newspaper=The Irish Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110227031241/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0122/breaking5.html|archive-date=27 February 2011|url-status=live}}
• 23 January – The Green Party withdrew from the coalition government, making an immediate general election necessary. John Gormley (Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government) and Eamon Ryan (Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources) resigned, leaving only seven ministers remaining in the cabinet, the constitutional minimum.{{Cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0123/breaking18.html|title=Green Party 'loses patience' and pulls out of Government|last=Irish Times Reporters|date=23 January 2011|newspaper=The Irish Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110128184235/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0123/breaking18.html|archive-date=28 January 2011|url-status=live}}
• 25 January
• Fianna Fáil's Micheál Martin was elected party leader.{{Cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0126/breaking8.html|title=Micheál Martin elected as eighth leader of Fianna Fáil|last=Irish Times Reporters|date=26 January 2011|newspaper=The Irish Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110130005215/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0126/breaking8.html|archive-date=30 January 2011|url-status=live}}
• Fianna Fáil TD for Galway East, Noel Treacy, announced he will not contest the 2011 general election, while Fianna Fáil's Mattie McGrath, TD for Tipperary South, announced he is leaving the party to become an independent.[https://archive.today/20120905161832/http://www.independent.ie/national-news/elections/mcgrath-cuts-ff-ties-as-treacy-steps-down-2511039.html "McGrath cuts FF ties as Treacy steps down"]. Irish Independent, 26 January 2011.
• 26 January – British Prime Minister David Cameron announced that Sinn Féin's Gerry Adams has resigned from the British parliament by nominal appointment as Crown Steward and Bailiff of the Manor of Northstead.[http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/press_08_11.htm "Manor of Northstead"]. British Treasury, 26 January 2011.{{Cite news|url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/elections/adams-resigns-from-westminister-seat-26617714.html|title=Adams resigns from Westminister seat|date=26 January 2011|work=Irish Independent|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120804150049/http://www.independent.ie/national-news/elections/adams-resigns-from-westminister-seat-2512403.html|archive-date=4 August 2012|url-status=live|agency=Press Association}}
• 28 January – Another fireball exploded in the Irish atmosphere. Astronomy Ireland appealed to the public to report sightings.{{Cite news|url=https://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0128/297087-astronomy/|title=Another fireball in Irish skies|date=28 January 2011|work=RTÉ News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180202032829/https://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0128/297087-astronomy/|archive-date=2 February 2018|url-status=live}}

• 1 February
• Fianna Fáil TD for Limerick West, John Cregan, announced he will not contest the 2011 general election.{{Cite news|url=https://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0201/297208-politics1/|title=Barry Cowen to run in General Election|date=1 February 2011|work=RTÉ News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180905023148/https://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0201/297208-politics1/|archive-date=5 September 2018|url-status=live}}
• It was announced that the Sunday Tribune newspaper had gone into receivership following the decision of Independent News & Media to stop funding it.{{Cite news|url=https://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0201/297222-sundaytribune/|title=Receiver appointed to Sunday Tribune|date=1 February 2011|work=RTÉ News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160316215015/https://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0201/297222-sundaytribune//|archive-date=16 March 2016|url-status=live}}
• The Taoiseach dissolved the Dáil and went to Áras an Uachtaráin where President McAleese signed a proclamation of dissolution. The Minister for Local Government made an order appointing 25 February as polling day. The Clerk of the Dáil issued a writ to the constituency returning officers to initiate a general election, officially allowing posters of the candidates to be displayed.{{Cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0202/1224288769959.html|title=Over three million entitled to vote in election|last=Cullen|first=Paul|date=2 February 2011|newspaper=The Irish Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306021834/http://www.irishtimes.com/news/over-three-million-entitled-to-vote-in-election-1.560681|archive-date=6 March 2016|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0202/1224288771233.html|title=Politics honourable profession', says Cowen|last=McGee|first=Harry|date=2 February 2011|newspaper=The Irish Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110225080451/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0202/1224288771233.html|archive-date=25 February 2011|url-status=live}}
• A Russian agent was expelled from Ireland because of his role in the forgery of Irish passports for use in the "Illegals Program" spy ring in the United States.{{Cite news|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/russian-diplomat-expelled-over-spy-ring-143935.html|title=Russian diplomat expelled over spy ring|last=O'Keeffe|first=Cormac|date=2 February 2011|work=Irish Examiner|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181117013934/https://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/russian-diplomat-expelled-over-spy-ring-143935.html|archive-date=17 November 2018|url-status=live}} A Garda investigation discovered that members of the Russian espionage agency, the SVR, were involved in the forgeries.{{Cite news|url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/russians-threat-over-passports-unjustified-26645725.html|title=Russians' threat over passports 'unjustified'|last=Brady|first=Tom|date=3 February 2011|work=Irish Independent|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212045109/http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/russians-threat-over-passports-unjustified-26645725.html|archive-date=12 December 2013|url-status=live}} Alexander Smirnov, the first secretary in the Russian embassy's consular section, was instructed to leave Ireland.{{Cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/senior-russian-official-faces-expulsion-1.562554|title=Senior Russian official faces expulsion|last=Fitzgerald|first=Mary|date=4 February 2011|newspaper=The Irish Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190302111213/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/senior-russian-official-faces-expulsion-1.562554|archive-date=2 March 2019|url-status=live}}
• 2 February – Russian deputy foreign minister Vladimir Titov threatened Ireland that Russia will retaliate for the Irish expulsion of a Russian forger.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12343688 "Russia warns Ireland it will retaliate in spy row"]. BBC News, 2 February 2011.[http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0202/breaking16.html "Russia threatens retaliation"]. The Irish Times, 2 February 2011. Ireland warned Russia that retaliation would be unjustified. An Irish government spokesman said Irish embassy staff in Moscow perform no spying activity.
• 5 February – It emerged that a large number of gun enthusiasts had mounted legal challenges against the [http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1997/en/act/pub/0004/index.html Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act] of August 2009 which banned handguns and restricted access to other firearms.{{Cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/state-facing-200-cases-against-new-gun-laws-1.563993|title=State facing 200 cases against new gun laws|last=Lally|first=Conor|date=5 February 2011|newspaper=The Irish Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170702105347/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/state-facing-200-cases-against-new-gun-laws-1.563993|archive-date=2 July 2017|url-status=live}}
• 7 February – The first gay civil partnership under the newly enacted civil partnership law took place in the Civil Registration Office in Dublin.{{Cite news|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/kfeyojsncwey/rss2/|title=First civil partnership ceremony for same-sex couple|last=Millar|first=Scott|date=21 February 2011|work=Irish Examiner|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110805101941/https://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/kfeyojsncwey/rss2/|archive-date=5 August 2011|url-status=live}}
• 10 February – A small plane carrying ten passengers and two crew crashed while landing in fog at Cork Airport. Six people were killed.{{Cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/aircraft-crashes-on-third-attempt-to-land-in-fog-1.568604|title=Aircraft crashes on third attempt to land in fog|last=Roche|first=Barry|date=11 February 2011|newspaper=The Irish Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118124134/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/aircraft-crashes-on-third-attempt-to-land-in-fog-1.568604|archive-date=18 November 2018|url-status=live}}
• 25 February – A general election was held. There were party reverses and gains on a historic scale with support for the outgoing government parties Fianna Fáil and the Green Party collapsing.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0227/breaking2.html|title=Kenny leads Fine Gael to win as Fianna Fáil vote collapses|last=Doyle|first=Kilian|date=26 February 2011|newspaper=The Irish Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110228003548/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0227/breaking2.html|archive-date=28 February 2011|url-status=live}} Dominic Hannigan and John Lyons were the first openly LGBT members of Dáil Éireann at the time of election.

File:Toshinao Urabe and Enda Kenny 20110322.jpg Enda Kenny (right), visited to the Embassy of Japan in Dublin, to sign a book of condolence for the victims of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, and he met with Japanese Ambassador to Ireland Toshinao Urabe (left), on 22 March 2011.]]

• 9 March – The members of the 31st Dáil convened for the first time and elected Enda Kenny as Taoiseach by a vote of 117–27.{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/kenny-elected-taoiseach-appoints-gilmore-t%C3%A1naiste-1.872948|title=Kenny elected Taoiseach of coalition Government|last=Irish Times Reporters|date=9 March 2011|newspaper=The Irish Times|access-date=9 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190227060259/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/kenny-elected-taoiseach-appoints-gilmore-t%C3%A1naiste-1.872948|archive-date=27 February 2019|url-status=live}}

• 12–14 April – The Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso visited Ireland for the third time. He delivered a speech on the 13th to 2,000 people at a conference in Saggart and visited the town of Kildare. The following day, he gave an address to 3,100 people at the University of Limerick entitled "The Power of Forgiveness". He last visited Ireland in March 1991, and has also visited Northern Ireland three times.
• [http://www.dalailama.com/news/post/660-his-holiness-the-dalai-lama-arrives-in-the-republic-of-ireland-for-two-day-visit His Holiness the Dalai Lama Arrives in the Republic of Ireland for Two-Day Visit] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201215033/http://www.dalailama.com/news/post/660-his-holiness-the-dalai-lama-arrives-in-the-republic-of-ireland-for-two-day-visit |date=1 February 2014 }} The Office of His Holiness The Dalai Lama, 2011-04-12.
• [http://www.dalailama.com/gallery/album/0/141 Arrival in Ireland - April 12th, 2011] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201215031/http://www.dalailama.com/gallery/album/0/141 |date=1 February 2014 }} The Office of His Holiness The Dalai Lama, 2011-04-12.
• [http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0413/299802-dalailama/ Dalai Lama urges Irish self confidence] RTÉ News, 2011-04-13.
• [https://archive.today/20140127143400/http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/do-not-lose-hope-urges-dalai-lama-26723236.html Do not lose hope, urges Dalai Lama] Irish Independent, 2011-04-13.
• [http://www.dalailama.com/gallery/album/0/142 Visit to Ireland - Dublin and Kildare - April 2011] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201215036/http://www.dalailama.com/gallery/album/0/142 |date=1 February 2014 }} The Office of His Holiness The Dalai Lama, 2011-04-13.
• [http://www.dalailama.com/gallery/album/0/143 Visit to Ireland - University of Limerick - April 2011] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201215029/http://www.dalailama.com/gallery/album/0/143 |date=1 February 2014 }} The Office of His Holiness The Dalai Lama, 2011-04-14.

• Mission to Prey, a television programme presented by Aoife Kavanagh, was aired on RTÉ One, which defamed Fr. Kevin Reynolds.{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/aoife-kavanagh-journalist-who-made-the-headlines-2942507.html|title=Aoife Kavanagh: Journalist who made the headlines|work=Irish Independent|access-date=23 November 2011|date=23 November 2011}}[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-15850770 Republic's government order probe into RTÉ Fr Reynolds libel case], BBC News, 23 November 2011. Justice and Defence Minister Alan Shatter supported the programme at the time.{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/shatter-in-uturn-on-his-rash-support-for-prime-time-2946451.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120804024520/http://www.independent.ie/national-news/shatter-in-uturn-on-his-rash-support-for-prime-time-2946451.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 August 2012 |title=Shatter in U-turn on his 'rash' support for Prime Time |first=Michael |last=Brennan |work=Irish Independent |access-date=26 November 2011 |date=26 November 2011 }}
• 17 May–20 May – Elizabeth II paid the first state visit by a monarch of the United Kingdom to Ireland since its Independence.{{cite web|title=Announcement of programme for Ireland visit|url=http://www.royal.gov.uk/LatestNewsandDiary/Pressreleases/2011/AnnouncementofprogrammeforIrelandvisit7April2011.aspx|work=The British Monarchy|date=7 April 2011|access-date=2011-04-09}}{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2011/0521/1224297467273.html|title=Queen's visit beat all expectations, says UK envoy|date=21 May 2011|work=Irish Times|access-date=24 May 2011|first1=Mark|last1=Hennessy|first2=Barry|last2=Roche| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110522223054/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2011/0521/1224297467273.html| archive-date= 22 May 2011 | url-status= live}}
• 23 May – President Barack Obama of the United States paid an official visit to Ireland which included Dublin and his ancestral village of Moneygall.{{cite news|title=US president Barack Obama plans to visit Ireland in May|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0317/breaking27.html|work=Irish Times|date=17 March 2011|access-date=2011-04-09}}{{cite news|title=Protocol rules out US President Obama's NI visit|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-12920665|work=BBC News|date=31 March 2011}}{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0524/breaking2.html|title=Obama says Ireland's 'best days are still ahead'|date=24 May 2011|work=Irish Times|access-date=24 May 2011|first1=Stephen|last1=Collins|first2=Mark|last2=Hennessy}} He curtailed his visit because of a looming volcanic ash cloud from the Grímsvötn volcano, and departed for London instead of staying the night in Dublin.[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/may/23/barack-obama-ireland-visit-volcano Barack Obama cuts short Ireland visit after concerns over volcanic ash cloud] The Guardian, 2011-05-23.

• 30 June–3 July – the Tall Ships' Races began in Waterford. Half a million people were expected to attend the festival.{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0703/tallships.html |title=Large crowds watch Tall Ships festival close|date=3 July 2011|work=RTÉ|publisher=RTÉ|access-date=4 July 2011}}{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0702/tallships.html |title=Large crowds attend Tall Ships Festival|date=2 July 2011|work=RTÉ|publisher=RTÉ|access-date=2 July 2011}}

• 1 July – The value added tax rate was lowered from 13.5% to 9% for a range of services connected to the hospitality and tourism sectors.{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0701/vat.html|title=Reduced VAT for tourism, hospitality sectors|date=1 July 2011|work=RTÉ|publisher=RTÉ|access-date=1 July 2011}}
• 7 July – Politician Avril Doyle withdrew from the race to be the Fine Gael party's presidential candidate.{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0707/president.html |title=Doyle withdraws from FG Presidential race|date=7 July 2011|work=RTÉ|publisher=RTÉ|access-date=7 July 2011}}
• 13 July – The Cloyne Report was published, an investigation into how the Cloyne Diocese mishandled child sexual abuse allegations. The investigating commission stated that the greatest failure by the diocese was the failure to report all abuse cases to the Gardaí.{{cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0713/cloyne.html|title=Bishop Magee 'deliberately misled' inquiry|date=13 July 2011|work=RTÉ News|access-date=13 July 2011}}
• 20 July – The taoiseach, Enda Kenny, delivered a speech in Dáil Éireann, in response to the Cloyne Report, strongly attacking the Vatican and the Catholic Church.{{cite news|first=Rory|last=Fitzgerald|title=Enda Kenny's attack on the Vatican reflects ferocious public anger|url=https://catholicherald.co.uk/enda-kenny%E2%80%99s-attack-on-the-vatican-reflects-ferocious-public-anger/|work=Catholic Herald|date=21 July 2011|access-date=21 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130509080423/http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/commentandblogs/2011/07/21/enda-kenny%E2%80%99s-attack-on-the-vatican-reflects-ferocious-public-anger/|archive-date=9 May 2013|url-status=live}}
• 28 July – The Irish writer Jonathan Swift was honoured by the International Astronomical Union when it named two geological features on the Martian moon Phobos after geographical entities from Swift's novel, Gulliver's Travels. The {{lang|la|Lagado Planitia}} (Lagado plain) on Phobos was named after the fictional city Lagado, while {{lang|la|Laputa Regio}} (Laputa region) was named after the fictional flying island, Laputa.
• {{cite web

| title = Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature: PHOBOS – Lagado Planitia

| date = 2011-07-28

| website = U.S. Geological Survey

| url = https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Feature/14867}}

• {{cite web

| title = Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature: PHOBOS – Laputa Regio

| date = 2011-07-28

| website = U.S. Geological Survey

| url = https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Feature/14868}}

• 2 August – David Norris withdrew from his presidential election campaign, following controversy
• {{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/aug/02/scandal-scuppers-gay-president?intcmp=239|title=Prospects of David Norris being first gay president scuppered|last=McDonald|first=Henry|date=2 August 2011|work=The Guardian|location=London}}
• {{cite news|url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/david-norris-pulls-out-of-race-to-be-the-next-president-26757583.html|title=David Norris pulls out of race to be the next President|last=Kelpie|first=Colm|date=2 August 2011|work=Irish Independent|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190521230031/https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/david-norris-pulls-out-of-race-to-be-the-next-president-26757583.html|archive-date=21 May 2019|url-status=live}}
• {{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0802/norrisd.html|title=David Norris withdraws from Áras bid|date=2 August 2011|work=RTÉ News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016063850/http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0802/norrisd.html|archive-date=16 October 2012|url-status=dead}}
• {{cite news|url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/norris-quits-presidency-race-515105.html|title=Norris quits presidency race|date=2 August 2011|work=Irish Examiner}} (although he resumed his candidacy the following month).
• 6 August – It was reported that surveys had suggested that a shipwreck found off Rutland Island, County Donegal was from the Spanish Armada.
• {{cite news|first=Lorna|last=Siggins|title=Donegal wreck may have Spanish Armada link|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0806/1224301949590.html|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=6 August 2011|access-date=2012-07-13}}
• {{cite web|title=Irish archaeologists say Spanish Armada wreck found|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/world/report_irish-archaeologists-say-spanish-armada-wreck-found_1573121|work=DNA|location=Mumbai|date=6 August 2011|access-date=2012-07-13}}

• 7 September – Telecommunication company TalkTalk announced the loss of 575 jobs with the closure of its call centre in Waterford.{{cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0907/talktalk.html|title=575 jobs lost at Talk Talk in Waterford|date= 7 September 2011|work=RTÉ News|access-date=7 September 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/talk-talk-to-transfer-575-jobs-from-waterford-to-the-uk-519572.html|title=Talk Talk to transfer 575 jobs from Waterford to the UK|date=7 September 2011|work=Irish Examiner|access-date=7 September 2011}}
• 13 September – Homeowner Teresa Treacy was jailed for contempt of court in County Offaly. Government contractors cut down 12,000 of her trees to make way for electricity pylons while she was detained.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0930/1224305001520.html|title=Flattened: 'vast majority' of trees now cut down on jailed 65-year-old's land|date=30 September 2011|access-date=30 September 2011|first=Genevieve|last=Carbery|newspaper=The Irish Times}}
• 22 September – The first Irish case of death by spontaneous combustion was recorded in Galway.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-15032614 "'First Irish case' of death by spontaneous combustion"]. BBC News. 23 September 2011.

File:Ireland Victor Grigas 2011-16.jpg

File:Occupiers Camp on Dame Street, Dublin, 19th of December 2011.JPG

• 8 October – Occupy Dame Street began this afternoon.
• {{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1008/damestreet.html|title='Occupy Dame Street' protest in Dublin|date=9 October 2011|access-date=9 October 2011|work=RTÉ News|publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann}}
• {{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1010/damestreet.html|title=Occupy Dame Street protest enters third night|date=10 October 2011|access-date=10 October 2011|work=RTÉ News|publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann}}
• {{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/1105/1224307105697.html|title='Occupy Dame Street' campaign prepared for long haul|date=5 November 2011|access-date=5 November 2011|first=Cían|last=Nihill|newspaper=The Irish Times|publisher=Irish Times Trust}}
• 11 October
• Ireland's association football team reached the play-offs of the UEFA Euro 2012 qualifiers.{{cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2011/1011/ireland_armenia.html |title = RT Sport: As it Happened Ireland 2-1 Armenia |website = RTÉ.ie |access-date=2011-11-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111111182115/http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2011/1011/ireland_armenia.html |archive-date=11 November 2011}} RTÉ Sport, 11 October 2011.
• 11 October – Two crosses were stolen in a masked raid on Holy Cross Abbey.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/1012/breaking12.html|title=Artefacts stolen from Holycross|newspaper=The Irish Times|publisher=Irish Times Trust|date=12 October 2011|access-date=12 October 2011}}
• 24 October – Ireland was struck by flash floods including heavy torrential rain in Dublin with up to 90mm of rain falling during six hours in the evening.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-15442031|title=Two bodies found in aftermath of Irish floods|date=25 October 2011|work=BBC News|access-date=15 December 2011}}{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1215/flooding.html|title=1,000 Dublin properties flooded in October|date=15 December 2011|work=RTÉ News|access-date=15 December 2011}} One off-duty Garda, Ciarán Jones, was swept off a bridge and killed while helping motorists in Wicklow.{{cite web|title=Members of An Garda Síochána who have been killed in the line of duty |url=http://crime.ie/20120706/members-of-an-garda-siochana-who-have-been-killed-in-the-line-of-duty/ |publisher=Crime.ie |access-date=8 July 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120713062110/http://crime.ie/20120706/members-of-an-garda-siochana-who-have-been-killed-in-the-line-of-duty/ |archive-date=13 July 2012}}
• 27 October – A presidential election and two constitutional referendums were held.{{cite news |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160316123342/http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1026/307932-referendums/ |url-status=live |archive-date=16 March 2016 |work=RTÉ News|date=26 October 2011 |url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1026/referendums.html|title=Supreme Court refuses referendum application|access-date=24 October 2018}}[http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0726/breaking58.html "Date set for presidential poll"]. The Irish Times, 26 July 2011.

• 3 November – The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade announced the closure of Ireland's embassies in Iran and the Vatican, and its representative office in East Timor, as a cost-cutting measure during the serious Irish financial crisis.
• [http://www.dfa.ie/home/index.aspx?id=87268 Closure of Embassies: Statement by the Tánaiste] Department of Foreign Affairs, 2011-11-03.
• {{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-vatican-ireland/vatican-stunned-by-irish-embassy-closure-idUSTRE7A33D120111104|title=Vatican stunned by Irish embassy closure|last=Pullella|first=Philip|date=4 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190320141442/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-vatican-ireland/vatican-stunned-by-irish-embassy-closure-idUSTRE7A33D120111104|archive-date=20 March 2019|url-status=live|work=Reuters}}
• 11 November – Michael D. Higgins was inaugurated as President of Ireland at a ceremony in Dublin Castle.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ireland/8856598/Michael-D.-Higgins-wins-Irish-presidential-election.html|title=Michael D. Higgins wins Irish presidential election|date=28 October 2011|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=30 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118111034/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ireland/8856598/Michael-D.-Higgins-wins-Irish-presidential-election.html|archive-date=18 November 2018|url-status=live|location=London}}
• 15 November
• The Irish association football team qualified for UEFA Euro 2012 in Poland/Ukraine.
• Willie Penrose resigned as Minister of State for Housing and Planning due to his opposition to the Government's decision to close the army barracks in Mullingar.
• {{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/1115/breaking35.html|title=Penrose quits on barracks issue|last=Irish Times Reporters|date=15 November 2011|newspaper=The Irish Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111118023129/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/1115/breaking35.html|archive-date=18 November 2011|url-status=live}}
• {{cite news|url=https://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1115/308705-army/|title=Penrose quits Cabinet over barracks closure|date=15 November 2011|work=RTÉ News|access-date=15 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403174623/https://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1115/308705-army/|archive-date=3 April 2019|url-status=live}}
• {{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/labourrsquos-penrose-resigns-from-government-over-barracks-closure-2934618.html|title=Labour's Penrose resigns from Government over barracks closure|last=Independent.ie reporters|date=15 November 2011|work=Irish Independent|access-date=15 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160312153715/http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/labours-penrose-resigns-from-government-over-barracks-closure-26792460.html|archive-date=12 March 2016|url-status=live}}
• 16 November – Thousands of students and their families from around Ireland marched on Government Buildings in Dublin to protest against the re-introduction of third-level education fees.
• {{cite news|url=https://www.thejournal.ie/thousands-of-students-expected-to-march-against-fees-280506-Nov2011/|title=Thousands of students expected to march against fees|last=O'Connell|first=Hugh|date=16 November 2011|work=TheJournal.ie|access-date=16 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181115210533/https://www.thejournal.ie/thousands-of-students-expected-to-march-against-fees-280506-Nov2011/|archive-date=15 November 2018|url-status=live}}
• {{cite news|url=https://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1116/308756-education/|title=Ruairi Quinn non-committal on fees issue|date=17 November 2011|work=RTÉ News|access-date=17 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180915131022/https://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1116/308756-education/|archive-date=15 September 2018|url-status=live}} A small group also engage in a sit-down protest outside the Fine Gael office on Upper Mount Street.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/1117/1224307705660.html|title=Students march against increased fees and grant cuts|last=Carroll|first=Steven|date=17 November 2011|newspaper=The Irish Times|access-date=17 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120727140954/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/1117/1224307705660.html|archive-date=27 July 2012|url-status=live}}
• 22 November – Fine Gael's Darren Scully resigned as Mayor of Naas after commenting on live radio about the alleged "aggressive attitude" of "black Africans".{{cite news|url=https://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1122/309015-scullyd/|title=Darren Scully resigns as Mayor of Naas|date=22 November 2011|work=RTÉ News|access-date=22 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111123083003/http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1122/scullyd.html|archive-date=23 November 2011|url-status=live}}
• 23 November – The Prime Time Investigates television programme was cancelled as Director-General of RTÉ Noel Curran described the broadcasting of "Mission to Prey" as "one of the gravest editorial mistakes ever made" at RTÉ.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2011/1123/1224308004000.html?via=mr|title=RTÉ shelves investigative series and concedes 'grave mistake'|last1=Cullen|first1=Paul|date=23 November 2011|newspaper=The Irish Times|access-date=23 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111123152242/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2011/1123/1224308004000.html?via=mr|archive-date=23 November 2011|url-status=dead|last2=McGreevy|first2=Ronan}}
• 26 November – Thousands of people marched against austerity in Dublin.
• {{cite news|url=http://www.tv3.ie/article.php?article_id=64915&locID=1.2&pagename=news|title=Anti-austerity protest takes place in Dublin|date=26 November 2011|work=TV3 News|access-date=26 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120515145252/http://www.tv3.ie/article.php?article_id=64915&locID=1.2&pagename=news|archive-date=15 May 2012|url-status=dead}}
• {{cite news|url=https://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1126/309173-demonstration/|title=Thousands rally against Govt austerity plans|date=28 November 2011|work=RTÉ News|access-date=26 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313202330/https://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1126/309173-demonstration/|archive-date=13 March 2016|url-status=live}}
• {{cite news|url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/rich-will-have-to-shoulder-cuts-too-26796098.html|title=Rich will have to shoulder cuts too|date=27 November 2011|work=Sunday Independent|access-date=27 November 2011|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120803203011/http://www.independent.ie/national-news/rich-will-have-to-shoulder-cuts-too-2946952.html|archive-date=3 August 2012|url-status=live}}
• 29 November – Three student union presidents (of Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology, University College Cork and IT Carlow) under the leadership of Union of Students in Ireland (USI) President Gary Redmond, and in possession of a chemical toilet and supplies of food that could have lasted them weeks, occupied a room at the Department of Social Protection on Store Street in Dublin as part of a continued effort to have the Labour Party clarify its position on tuition fees.
• {{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/1129/breaking60.html|title=Students arrested after 'occupation'|last=Hunt|first=Joanne|date=29 November 2011|newspaper=The Irish Times|access-date=29 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131205061348/http://www.irishtimes.com/news/students-arrested-after-occupation-1.887838|archive-date=5 December 2013|url-status=live}}
• {{cite news|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/students-occupy-department-office-530301.html|title=Students occupy Department office|date=29 November 2011|work=Irish Examiner|access-date=29 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116174909/https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/students-occupy-department-office-530301.html|archive-date=16 November 2018|url-status=live}}
• {{cite news|url=https://www.thejournal.ie/students-occupy-department-of-jobs-292332-Nov2011/|title=Students briefly occupy Department of Jobs in fees protest|last=Bohan|first=Christine|date=29 November 2011|work=TheJournal.ie|access-date=29 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116005259/https://www.thejournal.ie/students-occupy-department-of-jobs-292332-Nov2011/|archive-date=16 November 2018|url-status=live}} Ten student union presidents also attempted to occupy a room at the Department of Enterprise on Kildare Street.{{cite news|url=https://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1129/309286-students/|title=Student leaders in protest over fees|date=29 November 2011|work=RTÉ News|access-date=29 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180915130932/https://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1129/309286-students/|archive-date=15 September 2018|url-status=live}}
• 30 November
• Nine Free Education for Everyone (FEE) students seeking clarification of the government's view on third-level education fees participated in a sit-down protest by occupying the constituency office of Fine Gael TD and former mayor Brian Walsh in Bohermore, Galway.
• {{cite news|url=https://www.advertiser.ie/galway/article/47083/students-up-the-ante-with-occupation-of-td-and-department-offices|title=Students up the ante with occupation of TD and Department offices|last=Nee|first=Martina|date=1 December 2011|work=Galway Advertiser|access-date=1 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181217063116/https://www.advertiser.ie/galway/article/47083/students-up-the-ante-with-occupation-of-td-and-department-offices|archive-date=17 December 2018|url-status=live}}
• {{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1130/galway.html|title=Nine students arrested after Galway protest|date=30 November 2011|access-date=30 November 2011|work=RTÉ News|publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann}}
• {{cite news|url=http://www.thejournal.ie/students-arrested-after-occupying-fine-gael-tds-constituency-office-292957-Nov2011/|title=Students arrested after occupying Fine Gael TD's constituency office|date=30 November 2011|access-date=30 November 2011|work=TheJournal.ie}}
• {{cite news|url=http://www.universitytimes.ie/?p=6997|title=Free Education for Everyone (FEE) Galway Occupy Fine Gael TD Office|date=30 November 2011|access-date=30 November 2011|first=Rónán|last=Burtenshaw|work=The University Times}} They unfurled a banner on the roof with the message, "Free Education Nothing Less".{{cite news|url=http://galwayindependent.com/stories/item/273/2011-49/Student-protesters-released-without-charge |title=Student protesters released without charge |date=1 December 2011 |access-date=1 December 2011 |first=Marie |last=Madden |work=Galway Independent |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111204040833/http://galwayindependent.com/stories/item/273/2011-49/Student-protesters-released-without-charge |archive-date= 4 December 2011 }}
• Audits of child protection practices conducted by the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church were published by six dioceses, with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Raphoe, overseen by Philip Boyce, coming in for most criticism.{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1130/dioceses.html|title=Diocesan audits say abuse response inadequate|date=30 November 2011|access-date=30 November 2011|work=RTÉ News|publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann}}
• A settlement was reached between the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Armagh and a man sworn to secrecy by Seán Brady over abuse by Brendan Smyth as a teenager.{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1130/bolandb.html|title=Abuse secrecy case settled with Archdiocese|date=30 November 2011|access-date=30 November 2011|work=RTÉ News|publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann}}

• 1 December
• Tommy Broughan TD was expelled from the Labour Party after voting to reject a government amendment to extend the bank guarantee{{clarify|date=December 2013}} for another year.{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1201/banks.html|title=Broughan loses Labour whip after Dáil vote|date=1 December 2011|access-date=1 December 2011|work=RTÉ News|publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann}}
• Roscrea District Court solicitors walked out over the closure of the courthouse.{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1201/roscrea.html|title=Solicitors protest over Roscrea court closure|date=1 December 2011|access-date=1 December 2011|work=RTÉ News|publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann}}
• 2 December – Eight students from the National University of Ireland, Maynooth (NUIM), including the university's student union president Rob Munnelly, occupied the Naas constituency office of Fine Gael TD Anthony Lawlor.{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1203/education.html |title=Maynooth students refuse to leave TDs office |date=3 December 2011 |access-date=3 December 2011 |work=RTÉ News |publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111204155839/http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1203/education.html |archive-date= 4 December 2011 }} They brought sleeping bags, clothes, a chemical toilet and a week's supply of food.
• {{cite news|url=http://www.thejournal.ie/maynooth-students-occupy-fine-gael-tds-office-in-fees-protest-294867-Dec2011/|title=Maynooth students continue occupation of Fine Gael TD's office|date=2 December 2011|access-date=2 December 2011|work=TheJournal.ie}}
• {{cite news|url=http://budget.breakingnews.ie/news/we-have-wood-nails-food-toilet-chimney-protesting-students-occupy-tds-office-530750.html |title='We have wood, nails, food, toilet, chimney': Protesting students occupy TD's office |date=3 December 2011 |access-date=3 December 2011 |work=BreakingNews.ie |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426015519/http://budget.breakingnews.ie/news/we-have-wood-nails-food-toilet-chimney-protesting-students-occupy-tds-office-530750.html |archive-date=26 April 2012 }} During the occupation Munnelly debated with Lawlor live on Kildare TV, USI President Gary Redmond visited the students, and a banner with the slogan "Save the Grant" was erected at Lawlor's entrance.
• {{cite news|url=http://www.thejournal.ie/watch-student-leader-confronts-fg-td-outside-his-occupied-constituency-office-295637-Dec2011/|title=Watch: student leader confronts FG TD outside his occupied constituency office|date=3 December 2011|access-date=3 December 2011|work=TheJournal.ie}}
• {{cite news|url=http://www.thejournal.ie/td-reluctant-to-involve-gardai-in-student-occupation-of-his-office-295307-Dec2011/|title=TD 'reluctant to involve gardaí' in student occupation of his office|date=3 December 2011|access-date=3 December 2011|work=TheJournal.ie}}
• 3 December – Hundreds of people from County Donegal assembled in Buncrana to protest against austerity and to tell the government that "Inishowen and Donegal says no to further cuts and austerity".{{cite news|url=http://www.donegaldaily.com/2011/12/03/thousands-of-families-with-empty-chairs-at-christmas-td-tells-protest/|title="Thousands of families with empty chairs at Christmas" TD tells protest|date=3 December 2011|access-date=3 December 2011|work=Donegal Daily}}
• 6 December – Patrick Nulty TD voted against the value added tax increase in the 2012 budget and lost the Labour Party whip as a result.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/1206/breaking55.html|title=Labour TD votes against Vat measure|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=6 December 2011|first1=Marie|last1=O'Halloran|first2=Michael|last2=O'Regan}}
• 16 December – Staff at the Vita Cortex plant in Cork began a sit-in after being told their jobs were eliminated and that they were to receive no redundancy payments.{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1217/vitacortex.html|title=Vita Cortex staff continue sit-in|date=17 December 2011|access-date=17 December 2011|work=RTÉ News|publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann}}
• 19 December – The Criminal Law (Defence and the Dwelling) Act 2012 was signed by President Higgins. The new home defence law, which came into effect on 13 January 2012, allowed householders to defend their homes against intruders using reasonable force, including lethal force.[http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/PB12000015 Criminal Law (Defence and the Dwelling) Act 2012] Department of Justice and Equality. Retrieved: 2013-11-23.[http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/reasonable-force-does-not-mean-a-licence-to-injure-or-kill-26822414.html 'Reasonable force' does not mean a licence to injure or kill] Irish Independent, 2012-02-17.

File:Ireland at ESC 2011.jpg represent Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest in Düsseldorf in May.]]

• 20 January – First showing of the film The Guard.
• 1 February – It was announced that two of three Waterstone's bookshops in Dublin were to close.{{Cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/economy/employment/waterstone-s-to-close-two-dublin-stores-1.560900|title=Waterstone's to close two Dublin stores|last=Lynch|first=Suzanne|date=2 February 2011|newspaper=The Irish Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170512091828/https://www.irishtimes.com/business/economy/employment/waterstone-s-to-close-two-dublin-stores-1.560900|archive-date=12 May 2017|url-status=live}}
• 11 February – The Eurosong 2011 competition was held in Dublin.{{Cite news|url=https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/tv-radio/jedward-to-sing-for-ireland-26694853.html|title=Jedward to sing for Ireland|last=Byrne|first=Luke|date=12 February 2011|work=Irish Independent|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120802080104/http://www.independent.ie/world-news/jedward-to-sing-for-ireland-2537332.html#selection-1710.0-1717.28|archive-date=2 August 2012|url-status=live}}
• 12 February – The 8th Irish Film and Television Awards were held at Dublin's Convention Centre.{{Cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ifta-winners-announced-1.871617|title=IFTA winners announced|last=Carr|first=Aoife|date=13 February 2011|newspaper=The Irish Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116063050/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ifta-winners-announced-1.871617|archive-date=16 November 2018|url-status=live}}
• 5 April – Kevin Barry's speculative fiction debut novel City of Bohane was published.
• 12 April – Sebastian Barry was inducted into the Hennessy Literary Awards Hall of Fame by the President, Mary McAleese.{{Cite news|url=https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/books/barry-hounoured-as-he-books-place-in-literary-hall-of-fame-26723101.html|title=Barry hounoured as he books place in literary Hall of Fame|last=Anderson|first=Nicola|date=13 April 2011|work=Irish Independent|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120803092517/http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/books/barry-hounoured-as-he-books-place-in-literary-hall-of-fame-2617763.html|archive-date=3 August 2012|url-status=live}}
• 26 May – John Banville won the Kafka Prize for literature.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2011/may/26/john-banville-kafka-prize|title=John Banville wins Kafka prize: Irish novelist given honour thought by some to be a Nobel prize augury|last=Flood|first=Alison|date=26 May 2011|work=The Guardian|access-date=26 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306044654/https://www.theguardian.com/books/2011/may/26/john-banville-kafka-prize|archive-date=6 March 2019|url-status=live|location=London}}
• 22–26 June – The Celtic Fringe Festival was held in north County Sligo.{{cite web|url=http://celticfringefestival.tumblr.com/|title=Celtic Fringe Festival, North Sligo, Ireland|date=10 June 2011|via=Tumblr|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130504065905/http://celticfringefestival.tumblr.com/|archive-date=4 May 2013|url-status=dead|access-date=14 July 2012}}
• 25 October – Lucy Caldwell was awarded the Rooney Prize for Irish Literature.{{cite web|url=http://www.tcd.ie/Communications/news/pressreleases/pressRelease.php?headerID=2116&vs_date=2011-10-26|title=Novelist and Dramatist Lucy Caldwell Awarded Rooney Prize 2011|date=26 October 2011|publisher=Trinity College Dublin|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119073203/http://www.tcd.ie/Communications/news/pressreleases/pressRelease.php?headerID=2116&vs_date=2011-10-26|archive-date=19 January 2012|url-status=dead|access-date=24 April 2012}}
• 3 November – Actor Niall Tóibín was honoured with the Irish Film and Television Academy's (IFTA) Lifetime Achievement Award at a ceremony at the Irish Film Institute.{{cite news|url=http://www.iftn.ie/actors/actorsnews/?act1=record&only=1&aid=73&rid=4284382&tpl=archnews&force=1|title=IFTA to Honour Irish Screen Legend Niall Tóibín|date=25 October 2011|work=Irish Film and Television Network|access-date=25 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170116162712/http://www.iftn.ie/actors/actorsnews/?act1=record&only=1&aid=73&rid=4284382&tpl=archnews&force=1|archive-date=16 January 2017|url-status=live}}
• Sorj Chalandon's novel Retour à Killybegs was published.
• Gene Kerrigan's crime novel The Rage was published.{{Citation needed|date=May 2019}}
• Seán Ó Ríordáin's collected poems, {{lang|ga|Na Dánta}}, were published.{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/art-in-the-form-of-artefact-1.445016|title=Art in the form of Artefact|last=Ó Muirí|first=Pól|date=14 January 2012|newspaper=The Irish Times]l|access-date=11 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118124203/https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/art-in-the-form-of-artefact-1.445016|archive-date=18 November 2018|url-status=live}}

• 8–9 February and 24–29 May – 2011 Nations Cup association football tournament in Dublin.
• {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20090329115847/http://www.faw.org.uk/news/1299 Dates Announced for 4 Associations' Tournament 2011.]}} Football Association of Wales. Retrieved: 2010-12-20.
• [http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3607 4 Associations Tournament Announced for Dublin 2011.] Football Association of Ireland. Retrieved 2010-12-20.
• 8 February – Ireland 3–0 Wales.
• {{Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/league_of_wales/9390459.stm|title=Nations Cup: Republic of Ireland 3-0 Wales|date=8 February 2011|website=BBC Sport|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110224065335/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/league_of_wales/9390459.stm|archive-date=24 February 2011|url-status=live}}
• {{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/feb/08/republic-ireland-wales-nations-cup|title=Gary Speed sees his Wales debut ruined by rampant Republic of Ireland|last=Murray|first=Ewan|date=8 February 2011|work=The Guardian|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171213215109/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/feb/08/republic-ireland-wales-nations-cup|archive-date=13 December 2017|url-status=live}}
• 9 February – Northern Ireland 0–3 Scotland.
• {{Cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/scotland-have-it-all-their-own-way-1.1256086|title=Scotland have it all their own way|date=9 February 2011|newspaper=The Irish Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190522001324/https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/scotland-have-it-all-their-own-way-1.1256086|archive-date=22 May 2019|url-status=live}}
• {{Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/irish/9392854.stm|title=Scotland 3-0 Northern Ireland|last=McCaig|first=Alvin|date=9 February 2011|website=BBC Sport|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180803133931/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/irish/9392854.stm|archive-date=3 August 2018|url-status=live}}
• 24 May – Ireland 5–0 Northern Ireland.
• {{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/13535023|title=Rep of Ireland 5-0 N Ireland|date=24 May 2011|website=BBC Sport|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171105042738/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/13535023|archive-date=5 November 2017|url-status=live}}
• {{Cite web|url=http://www.skysports.com/football/match_commentary/0,19764,11065_3360182,00.html|title=FT: Rep of Ireland 5 N.Ireland 0|last=Fraser|first=Peter|date=24 May 2011|publisher=Sky Sports|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713193729/http://www.skysports.com/football/match_commentary/0%2C19764%2C11065_3360182%2C00.html|archive-date=13 July 2011|url-status=dead}}
• 25 May – Wales 1–3 Scotland.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/13350599|title=Wales 1-3 Scotland|date=25 May 2011|website=BBC Sport|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180716194340/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/13350599|archive-date=16 July 2018|url-status=live}}
• 27 May – Wales 2–0 Northern Ireland.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/13540749|title=Wales 2-0 N Ireland|date=27 May 2011|website=BBC Sport|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181229094030/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/13540749|archive-date=29 December 2018|url-status=live}}
• 29 May – Ireland 1–0 Scotland.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/scotland/13590290|title=Republic of Ireland 1-0 Scotland|last=Lindsay|first=Clive|date=29 May 2011|website=BBC Sport|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404142700/https://www.bbc.com/sport/scotland/13590290|archive-date=4 April 2019|url-status=live}}

• 26 March – European Championship qualifying match: Ireland 2–1 Macedonia in Dublin.{{cite news|title=Republic of Ireland beat Macedonia 2-1|url=http://www.sportsnewsireland.com/soccer_irish/12757/|author=Trevor Keane|date=26 March 2011|work=Sports News Ireland|access-date=26 March 2011|archive-date=7 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607062327/http://www.sportsnewsireland.com/soccer_irish/12757/|url-status=dead}}
• 2 September – Ireland 0–0 Slovakia in Dublin.
• 6 September – Ireland 0–0 Russia in Moscow.
• 7 October – Ireland 2–0 Andorra in Barcelona.
• 11 October – Ireland 2–1 Armenia in Dublin.[http://fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=57&Itemid=32 Fixtures and Results]. Football Association of Ireland. Retrieved: 2010-12-20.
• 11 November – Ireland 4–0 Estonia in Tallinn.{{cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2011/1111/286903-estonia_ireland_report/|title=Estonia 0-4 Republic of Ireland|last=Houston|first=Rory|date=11 November 2011|website=RTÉ Sport|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111113005410/http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2011/1111/estonia_ireland_report.html|archive-date=13 November 2011|url-status=live|access-date=11 November 2011}}
• 15 November – Ireland 1–1 Estonia in Dublin.

• 29 March – Ireland 2–3 Uruguay in Dublin.{{Cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2011/0330/1224293360710.html|title=Trapattoni is given plenty to think about|last=Malone|first=Emmet|date=30 March 2011|newspaper=The Irish Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131205132435/http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/trapattoni-is-given-plenty-to-think-about-1.586434|archive-date=5 December 2013|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2011/0329/278243-ireland_uruguay/|title=As it Happened: Republic of Ireland 2-3 Uruguay|last=McEneaney|first=Barry|date=29 March 2011|website=RTÉ Sport|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110603042533/http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2011/0329/ireland_uruguay.html|archive-date=3 June 2011|url-status=live}}
• 7 June – Ireland 2–0 Italy at Stade Maurice Dufrasne, in Liège.{{Cite news|url=https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/2011-06-07-86455934_x.htm|title=Ireland beats Italy 2-0 in friendly|date=7 June 2011|work=USA Today|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610183357/https://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/2011-06-07-86455934_x.htm|archive-date=10 June 2011|url-status=live|agency=Associated Press}}
• 10 August – Ireland 0–0 Croatia at the Aviva Stadium, in Dublin.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2011/0810/283363-repofireland_croatia/|title=Republic of Ireland 0-0 Croatia|last=Glennon|first=Micil|date=10 August 2011|website=RTÉ Sport|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120312122218/http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2011/0810/repofireland_croatia.html|archive-date=12 March 2012|url-status=live}}

• 4 March – Beginning of League of Ireland season.
• 14 May – Shamrock Rovers won the 2011 Setanta Sports Cup.
• 25 August – Shamrock Rovers became the first Irish side to reach the group stages of either of the top two European competitions by beating Partizan Belgrade in the play-off round of the 2011–12 UEFA Europa League.
• 24 September – Derry City won the 2011 League of Ireland Cup.
• 25 October – Shamrock Rovers reclaimed the League.
• 6 November – Sligo Rovers won the 2011 FAI Cup.

• 11 December – Fionnuala Britton won Senior Women's gold in the 2011 European Cross Country Championships

• 2 March – Ireland beat England by three wickets in Bangalore at the World Cup with a Kevin O'Brien hitting the fastest World Cup century off only 50 balls.{{cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/cricket/2011/0302/277083-cricket_england_ireland/|title=O'Brien on fire as Ireland shock England|date=2 March 2011|work=RTÉ Sport|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110304000220/http://www.rte.ie/sport/cricket/2011/0302/cricket_england_ireland.html|archive-date=4 March 2011|url-status=live|access-date=2 March 2011}}

• May–18 September – All-Ireland Senior Football Championship 2011

• 21 May–4 September – All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship 2011

• 21 May 2011 – 2011 Heineken Cup Final Leinster 33–22 Northampton Saints

• 5 February – Six Nations Italy 11–13 Ireland.{{Cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/ireland-eternally-grateful-to-o-gara-in-rome-1.565789|title=Ireland eternally grateful to O'Gara in Rome|last=Thornley|first=Gerry|date=7 February 2011|newspaper=The Irish Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306021742/https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/ireland-eternally-grateful-to-o-gara-in-rome-1.565789|archive-date=6 March 2016|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/irish/9386955.stm|title=Brian O'Driscoll relieved after Ireland edge out Italy|date=5 February 2011|website=BBC Sport|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110210095250/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/irish/9386955.stm|archive-date=10 February 2011|url-status=live}}
• 13 February – Ireland 22–25 France.{{Cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/france-get-over-the-line-in-dublin-1.1256145|title=France get over the line in Dublin|date=13 February 2011|newspaper=The Irish Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190521232557/https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/france-get-over-the-line-in-dublin-1.1256145|archive-date=21 May 2019|url-status=live}}
• 27 February – Scotland 18–21 Ireland{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/feb/27/scotland-ireland-six-nations-2011|title=Six Nations 2011: Ronan O'Gara guides Ireland past sorry Scotland|last=Averis|first=Mike|date=27 February 2011|work=The Guardian|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171213215340/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/feb/27/scotland-ireland-six-nations-2011|archive-date=13 December 2017|url-status=live}}
• 12 March – Wales 19–13 Ireland[https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/mar/12/wales-ireland-six-nations-rugby-union Controversial Mike Phillips try keeps Wales on their winning streak] The Guardian, 2011-03-12.
• 19 March – Ireland 24–8 England.[https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/mar/19/ireland-england-six-nations-2011 Tommy Bowe and Ireland demolish England's Six Nations grand slam hopes] The Guardian 2011-03-19.

• 11 September – Ireland 22–10 United States
• 17 September – Ireland 15–6 Australia
• 25 September – Ireland 62–12 Russia
• 2 October – Ireland 36–6 Italy
• 8 October – Ireland 10–22 Wales

File:Gary-Moore-at-Pite-Havsbad.jpg]]

File:Garret FitzGerald Lisbon 2009 crop.jpg]]

• 2 January – Eoin Neeson, 83: historian, author, journalist, former director of the Government Information Bureau.[http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/obituaries/2011/0108/1224287032298.html Historian, author and government press chief] Irish Times, 2011-01-08.
• 9 January – Joss Lynam: mountaineer, founder member of Irish Mountaineering Club, following a short illness.[http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0110/1224287158364.html Death of mountaineer Joss Lynam] Irish Times, 2011-01-10.
• 10 January – Michaela McAreavey née Harte, 27: daughter of Tyrone Gaelic football manager Mickey Harte, strangled during her honeymoon in Mauritius.[http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2011/0111/1224287237431.html Michaela Harte found dead in Mauritius] Irish Times, 2011-01-11.[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/jan/11/michaela-harte-found-strangled-mauritius Michaela Harte found strangled in Mauritius] The Guardian, 2011-01-11.
• 16 January – Louis McRedmond, 78: journalist and author, former editor of the Irish Independent, head of information at RTÉ.[http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0118/1224287760793.html Journalist and author Louis McRedmond dies, aged 78] Irish Times, 2011-01-18.[http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/obituaries/2011/0122/1224288082458.html Obituary: Well-known journalist, broadcaster and author] Irish Times, 2011-01-22.
• 18 January – David Schulman, 80: former President of Mensa International, and charity volunteer.[http://www.mensa.org.uk/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=1663&d=23&h=5&f=3 David Schulman - Announcement] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110123183904/http://www.mensa.org.uk/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=1663&d=23&h=5&f=3 |date=23 January 2011 }} Mensa, 2011-01-19.{{cite news| url=http://notices.irishtimes.com/7978818|title=Schulman, David : Death notice|date=19 January 2011 | newspaper=The Irish Times|location=Dublin, Ireland}}
• 20 January – Gordon Holmes, former State Solicitor of Limerick, former chairman of the Parole Board and the former Garda Síochána Complaints Board.[http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0121/1224288007647.html Limerick solicitor Gordon Holmes dies] Irish Times, 2011-01-21.

• 6 February – Gary Moore, 58: former Thin Lizzy guitarist. Heart attack while on holiday in Estepona, Spain.
• [https://archive.today/20120804130620/http://www.independent.ie/breaking-news/world-news/rock-legend-gary-moore-found-dead-2527823.html Rock legend Gary Moore found dead] Sunday Independent, 2011-02-06.
• [http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0206/breaking25.html Former Thin Lizzy guitarist Moore dies] Irish Times, 2011-02-06.[https://archive.today/20120804161815/http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/music/lizzy-guitarist-died-of-a-heart-attack-2529412.html Lizzy guitarist died of a heart attack] Irish Independent, 2011-02-08.
• 13 February – T. P. McKenna, 81; actor. Died in his sleep after a long illness.
• [http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0215/1224289831643.html 'Irascible' actor TP McKenna dies in London, aged 81] Irish Times. 2011-02-15.
• [https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2011/feb/16/tp-mckenna-obituary TP McKenna obituary] Guardian. 2011-02-16.
• [http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/weekend/2011/0219/1224290259491.html The many faces of TP McKenna] Irish Times. 2011-02-19.
• 14 February – Sean Boru, 57, Actor and author. [http://www.halsteadgazette.co.uk/news/8871017.Actor_and_writer_Sean_Boru_dies_age_57/]

• 9 March – Seán Cronin, 91, journalist and republican, Irish Republican Army chief of staff (1957–1958, 1959–1960), after long illness. [http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0310/1224291778899.html]
• 14 March – Gerald Barry, 63; broadcast and print journalist, following a long illness.[http://www.independent.ie/national-news/tributes-paid-to-brilliant-journalist-gerald-barry-2579346.html Tributes paid to 'brilliant' journalist Gerald Barry] Irish Independent, 2011-03-14.[http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0315/1224292162357.html Tributes paid on death of Gerald Barry] Irish Times, 2011-03-14.
• 25 March – Thady Wyndham-Quin, 7th Earl of Dunraven and Mount-Earl, 71, aristocrat. [https://web.archive.org/web/20110723073018/http://announcements.telegraph.co.uk/deaths/131230/dunraven]

• 15 April – Michael Hurley, 87, Jesuit and ecumenical theologian, co-founder of the Irish School of Ecumenics. [http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/obituaries/2011/0416/1224294798316.html]
• 27 April – Harry Thuillier, 85, Olympic fencer and radio presenter. [http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0428/1224295621152.html]

• 4 May – Joe Murray, 74; broadcaster and journalist, following a short illness.{{cite news|title=RTÉ journalist Joe Murray dies

|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0505/1224296147807.html|work=Irish Times|date=5 May 2011}}

• 10 May – Patrick Galvin, 83; writer and poet, following a long illness.{{cite news|title=Death of writer of 'Raggy Boy' trilogy Patrick Galvin at 83|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0511/1224296699214.html|work=Irish Times|date=11 May 2011|first=Rosita|last=Boland}}
• 17 May
• Tomás Mac Anna, 87; playwright, actor and director, following a short illness.{{cite news|title=Tributes to writer Tomás Mac Anna|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0518/1224297221397.html|work=Irish Times|date=18 May 2011|first=Genevieve|last=Carbery}}
• Seán Dunphy, 73; showband singer, following a short illness.{{cite news|title=Irish showband legend Sean Dunphy dies |url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/republic-of-ireland/irish-showband-legend-sean-dunphy-dies-16001522.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120723044220/http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/republic-of-ireland/irish-showband-legend-sean-dunphy-dies-16001522.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 July 2012 |work=The Belfast Telegraph |date=18 May 2011 }}
• 19 May – Garret FitzGerald, 85; former taoiseach, following a short illness.{{cite news|title=Garret FitzGerald dies aged 85|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0519/fitzgeraldg.html|work=RTÉ News|date=19 May 2011}}[http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0519/breaking3.html Former taoiseach Garret FitzGerald dies aged 85] Irish Times, 2011-05-19[http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0519/breaking8.html?via=rel 'A courageous and visionary taoiseach'] Irish Times, 2011-05-19.
• 20 May – Michael Bell, 74; former TD{{cite news|title=Ex-Labour TD Michael Bell dies|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0520/breaking52.html|access-date=2011-05-20|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=20 May 2011| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110521163620/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0520/breaking52.html| archive-date= 21 May 2011 | url-status= live}}
• 21 May – John Delaney, 42, businessman (Intrade). [https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/27/business/27delaney.html?ref=obituaries]
• 21 May – Pádraig Kennelly, 82, publisher, editor and journalist, founder of Kerry's Eye. [http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0522/kennellyp.html]
• 24 May – Edward Plunkett, 20th Baron of Dunsany, 71, artist. [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/8575899/Lord-Dunsany.html]

• 3 June – Peter Murphy, 88, television presenter (RTÉ). [http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0604/murphyp.html]
• 6 June – Declan Costello, 84; former teachta dála (TD) and judge{{cite news|title=Former High Court president 'one of the finest minds' the country has had|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0607/1224298498183.html|access-date=2011-06-07|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=7 June 2011}}
• 7 June – Liam Kelly, 88, Republican and politician.{{Cite web|url=https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/newsday/obituary.aspx?pid=151703109|title=Liam (William) Kelly|date=9 June 2011|publisher=Newsday|via=Legacy.com|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190521234829/https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/newsday/obituary.aspx?pid=151703109|archive-date=21 May 2019|url-status=live|access-date=22 May 2019}}
• 10 June – Brian Lenihan Jnr, 52; serving TD{{cite news|url=https://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0610/302226-lenihanb2/|title=Brian Lenihan dies aged 52|date=10 June 2011|work=RTÉ News|access-date=10 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110611230440/http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0610/lenihanb.html|archive-date=11 June 2011|url-status=live}}
• 22 June – Kader Asmal, 76, human rights professor, founder of the British and Irish Anti-Apartheid Movements, founder member of the Irish Council for Civil Liberties, Birmingham Six campaigner, minister of Nelson Mandela's first democratically elected government of South Africa.[http://www.independent.ie/opinion/analysis/asmal-the-man-who-kept-the-antiapartheid-flame-alive-in-ireland-29819270.html Asmal - The man who kept the anti-Apartheid flame alive in Ireland] Sunday Independent, 2013-12-08.
• 22 June – Myles Staunton, 75; former TD.{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0622/stauntonm.html|title=Former Senator Myles Staunton has died|work=RTÉ News|date=22 June 2011}}

• 19 July – Brendan Kehoe, 40, software developer and author, after a battle with acute myeloid leukemia.[http://notices.irishtimes.com/10668448 KEHOE, Brendan : Death notice] Irish Times, 2011-07-21.

• 4 August – Éamonn O'Doherty, 72; sculptor.{{cite news|title=Renowned Derry-born sculptor dies at 72 |url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/renowned-derryborn-sculptor-dies-at-72-16032648.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120720050131/http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/renowned-derryborn-sculptor-dies-at-72-16032648.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=20 July 2012 |work=The Belfast Telegraph |date=5 August 2011 |access-date=2011-08-05 }}

• 11 October – Peter McDermott, 93; former Meath Gaelic footballer and coach.{{cite news|title=Meath legend and 'the man in the cap'|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2011/1012/1224305644051.html|access-date=16 October 2011|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=12 October 2011}}
• 12 October – Martin White, 102; former Kilkenny hurler and the oldest surviving All-Ireland medal winner.{{cite news|title=Hurling legend Martin White passes away|url=http://www.advertiser.ie/kilkenny/article/45260/hurling-legend-martin-white-passes-away|access-date=16 October 2011|work=The Kilkenny Advertiser|date=14 October 2011}}
• 22 October – Cathal O'Shannon, 83; journalist and television presenter.{{cite news|title=RTÉ journalist Cathal O'Shannon dies aged 83 |url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1022/oshannonc.html |access-date=22 October 2011 |work=RTÉ News |date=22 October 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111024081210/http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1022/oshannonc.html |archive-date=24 October 2011 }}

• 9 November – Terry Willers, 76; cartoonist.{{cite news|title=Cartoonist Terry Willers dies at 76|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1111/willerst.html|access-date=11 November 2011|work=RTÉ News|date=11 November 2011}}

• 7 December – Pearse Cahill, 95; pioneering aviator.{{cite news|title=Aviation pioneer Pearse Cahill dies aged 95|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1208/cahillp.html|access-date=8 December 2011|work=RTÉ News|date=8 December 2011}}
• 25 December
• Thomas Finnegan, 86; bishop.{{cite news|title=Former Bishop of Killala dies aged 86|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1226/finnegant.html|access-date=26 December 2011|work=RTÉ News|date=26 December 2011}}
• Seán French, 80, politician, Lord Mayor of Cork (1976) and TD (1967–1982).{{Cite web|url=http://www.rip.ie/death_notices_detail.asp?NoticeID=151868|title=Death Notice of Sean FRENCH|website=RIP.ie}}

• 2011 in Irish television

{{reflist|30em}}

{{Years in Ireland}}

{{Year in Europe|2011}}