Quotes OF THE YEAR

‘Bejaysus, I wish I didn’t have to go back to face what I have to face.’ Enda Kenny in March, joking while on a trip to Washington about the ongoing difficulties of forming a new government

‘I’ve matured a lot. I’ve learned a lot of things that in 10 years in university I probably couldn’t learn.’ Michaella McCollum, speaking in April about her experience of a Peruvian jail where she spent time for drug-smuggling

‘The wisdom of our “Stop Focking Around, We’re Going To Ask You Again” approach to referendums is becoming clear to me now.’ Ross O’Carroll Kelly in June after the shock UK vote for Brexit

‘I’ll be watching the track and field, the swimming and diving – the stuff that matters.’ Rory McIlroy in July, after revealing he would not be competing in the Olympics, makes clear that Olympic golf means nothing to him

‘People were rubbing up against me. They were going, “I’ll have a rub off you now for good luck.” Or someone brought up a scratch card and said, “Rub that.”’ Sinéad Kennedy, Winning Streak presenter, in September on her experience attending the National Ploughing Championship

‘Does this mean I don’t get my beach volleyball tickets I was promised?’ Paddy Barnes, boxer, on Twitter from the Rio Olympics in August after the shock arrest of Pat Hickey over the tickets scandal

‘I’ve got my mojo back.’ Enda Kenny, at his party’s think-in in September

‘I like Donald Trump: he’s both a Republican and an Orangeman.’ Karl Spain, comedian, finds an Irish angle after Trump’s victory in November