1978 in Northern Ireland

Events during the year 1978 in Northern Ireland.

Incumbents

 * Secretary of State – Roy Mason

Events

 * 18 January – The European Court of Human Rights finds Britain guilty of inhuman and degrading treatment of republican internees in Northern Ireland, but not guilty of torture.
 * 17 February – The IRA La Mon restaurant bombing kills 12 people.
 * 1 June – David Cook of the Alliance Party becomes the first non-unionist Lord Mayor of Belfast.
 * 21 June – An outbreak of shooting between Provisional IRA members and the British Army leaves one civilian and three IRA men dead.
 * The Crown Liquor Saloon in Belfast is purchased by the National Trust.
 * Belfast Zoo reopens following renovation by Belfast City Council.
 * Belfast City Council begins a major renovation of Belfast Castle.

Arts and literature

 * May – Release of Rudi's punk rock single "Big Time", the first release for Terri Hooley's Good Vibrations (record label).
 * September – Release of The Undertones' punk rock single Teenage Kicks, by Good Vibrations.

Football

 * Irish League
 * Winners: Linfield


 * Irish Cup
 * Winners: Linfield 3 – 1 Ballymena United

Births

 * 1 January – Phillip Mulryne, footballer.
 * 17 January – Warren Feeney, footballer.
 * 21 January – Paul Leeman, footballer.
 * 12 April – Graham Little, television presenter and journalist.
 * 16 May – James McIntosh, food writer and chef.
 * 23 July – Stuart Elliott, footballer.
 * 26 August – Carolyn Jess-Cooke, writer and academic.
 * 8 September – Colin Nixon, footballer.
 * 23 October – Paul Morgan, footballer.
 * 30 October – Liam Burns, footballer.
 * 18 November – Damien Johnson, footballer.
 * 6 December – Rigsy, radio and television presenter and DJ.

Full date unknown

 * Andre Shoukri, member of the Ulster Defence Association.
 * Clare Smyth, chef