As we now know 2016 was no joke with even Geda, the mystic monkey who shot to fame by predicting Portugal would win Euro 2016 getting in on the election act too, tipping Donald Trump to win the race to the White House.

As we take a short month by month snapshot of the important and the not so important issues of 2016 a quote by George Carlin the American stand–up comic almost seems prophetic for this moment in time, ‘Just cause you got the monkey off your back doesn’t mean the circus has left town’.

This takes me aptly on to the subject of new Presidents and in January Tsai Ing–wen was elected as Taiwan’s first female president, immediately vowing to preserve the status quo in relations with China.  Political female ascendancy was of course a theme across these islands as the year progressed with Arlene Foster becoming First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon being reappointed as the Scottish FM and the dramatic if not protracted appointment of Theresa May later in the year.

January also saw Johnny Depp picking up the accolade for favourite dramatic movie actor at the People’s Choice Awards, but what about poor old Leo?   All good things come to those who wait and in February, 22 years after his first Oscar nomination DiCaprio came good withhis first Oscar for his performance in The Revenant at the 88th Academy Awards.  Having eaten raw bison liver and sleeping in animal carcasses for the movie, if he didn’t do it this time the question would have been will he ever?

On the subject of making history, a profound and hugely symbolic political visit took place in March with Barak Obama travelling to Cuba.  This was of course the first official visit of a sitting President since the 1959 revolution and it saw the re–opening of US and Cuban embassies.  A new chapter and new challenges will prevail under the Trump administration but Obama’s diplomacy in Cuba was a stand–out international high point for the US in 2016.

Wealth differentials and how they are maintained, not between countries, but individuals came to light in April with the Panama papers storm.  Amid the millions of leaked confidential documents, world leaders of the last forty years including 12 current or former heads of state and more than 60 relatives and associates were implicated. The documents exposed how the rich and powerful were using tax havens to hide their wealth, albeit not unlawfully, provoking urgent calls for reform.  David’s Cameron’s dramatic mea culpa,  outlining that he previously held offshore investments with Panama–based Blairmore Holdings was described in the media as his worst week as PM.  As we now know he would eek out a week that would be much worse before another dramatic disclosure, that of his resignation.

In the midst of the pre Brexit and US Presidential election madness, Leicester City Football Club brought us some light relief with a modern day fairy tale when they were crowned Premier league champions in May. The team started the season as favourites for relegation and odds of 5000–1 to win the title.  Bookies believed the chances of a Trump Presidency, Brexit and Leicester City winning the Premier League was 0.000033. A £10 bet would have made any lucky individual £30,000,000!

In June the UK as a whole took the economic gamble of the century that so many people feared, in voting to leave the EU.  A most disingenuous campaign Kipling’s Dead Statesman struck more than a telling chord, ‘I could not dig; I dared not rob; therefore I lied to please the mob; Now all my lies are proved untrue; And I must face the men I slew.’  The rudderless and disjointed government approach to dealing with it continues to be a source of daily news with the Supreme Court proceedings being the latest saga.

Ironic that the Brexit campaign with its relentless, destructive and disrespectful rhetoric came in Pope Francis’ ‘Year of Mercy’.  Jo Cox had mercy in abundance.  A heroine of multiculturalism she had inclusivity at the top of her political agenda.  Her memory and what she stood for cannot be lost within the intolerance that was peddled during Brexit and continues to suppurate from the festering hatred it unlocked.  

Ironic too that the coming together of European nations in the Euros helped to lift some of the Brexit gloom. The sound of samba music and horns rang loud outside the Stade de France in July as Portugal lifted the trophy for the first time, just as Geda the monkey had predicted. Northern Ireland and the Republic’s performances will be as memorable as England’s was forgettable but Wales were the stars of the British and Irish show in reaching the tournament semi–finals. 

The sporting theme continued to dominate in August with the 2016 Olympic Games.  Team GB achieved a record haul of 67 medals and despite hickeygate, O’Reilly and the insult to Michael Conlon, Ireland’s performance should be remembered and celebrated for its medals, national records and personal bests and the unforgettable brothers Gary and Paul O’Donovan! From the charming to the most charitable.  In September Mother Teresa, revered for her work with the poor in India, was proclaimed a saint in a ceremony at the Vatican, stirring memories of her amazing life of giving with many local people that had the great honour to work with her. 

In this the Year of Food and Drink in Northern Ireland, October saw our culinary expertise being recognised with Ox and Michael Deane’s Eipic retaining their Michelin stars and Wine & Brine in Moira also gaining a Bib Gourmand. 

In November there was only one main course on the international menu, the race to the White House. The abiding sentiment, it couldn’t happen again but of course it did as the US and the world continues to underestimate the impact of the disenfranchised working class right.

As December draws to a close the ‘Bell’ toll’s not only for Christmas but for major repercussions for the Northern Ireland Executive and the First Minister in particular following the fallout from the RHI scheme.

The year of the underdog, 2016 will also be remembered as a year in which an inordinate number of personalities passed away.  They all for various reasons, leave an indelible legacy. News of Mohammad Ali, Prince, David Bowie, and Leonard Cohen passing poignantly transported us back to another time, reliving vivid memories as we viewed footage of their achievements and listened to their music. Closer to home the deaths of people such as Sir Terry Wogan, Caroline Ahern, Frank Kelly et al stirred in us an appreciation of talent we too often take for granted.  Locally, the passing of GAA’s Danny Murphy, poet John Montague, Bishop Edward Daly and artist Basil Blackshaw, made us reflective of the enormous impact an individual can have on the lives of others.  There are many more, the list is too long but the point is that in learning of the passing of someone, whether they be a celebrity or a loved one, we can find a new appreciation of life and in doing so celebrate all that they offered us.  I suspect we will need to call on the characteristics, talents and capabilities of many of those that passed in 2016 to overcome some of the challenges that the years’ events will present in 2017 and beyond.

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