THE SLIGO WEEKENDER 2020 QUIZ OF THE YEAR!

1. 2020 got off to a nervy start when it was feared the assassination of Qasem Soleimani would be a catalyst for World War III. Soleimani was a major general in which country’s militiary? 2. Qaboos bin Said passed away in January at the age of 79. He was remembered fondly for his progressive and peaceful 49-year reign as the sultan of which country in the Middle East? 3. Impeachment proceedings began against which international leader in January 16, resulting in his acquittal four weeks later? 4. In protest of proposals to commemorate the RIC and Dublin Metropolitan Police, the public helped which band soar to the top of the Irish and English charts in January? 5. A mural in Riverstown was painted as a tribute to sports star Aoife McDermott earlier this year. In which sport is she a current international player? 6. On February 11, the World Health Organisation publicly used which name for the first time in reference to a new disease which was rapidly spreading across the world? 7. A Six Nations rugby match was the first major event on Irish soil to be called off due to public health concerns relating to coronavirus. Who were Ireland due to play? 8. Which General Election candidate was a landslide winner in Sligo-Leitrim when he was declared elected with over 15,000 first-preference votes on just the first count? 9. Hollywood actor Issur Danielovitch passed away in February at the age of 103. By what name was he better known? 10. A South Korean comedythriller made Academy Awards history this year when it became the first foreign language film to win the Best Picture award. What was it called? 11. On March 12, Leo Varadkar addressed the nation, declaring Ireland’s first major response to the Covid-19 pandemic. From which city did he make this statement? 12. ‘Wonder Woman’ actress Gal Gadot had her heart in the right place when she uploaded a now infamous and much lambasted all-celebrity rendition of which 1970s hit? 13. Filling in temporarily for Ryan Tubridy on short notice due to his period of selfisolation, who became the first ever female presenter of The Late Late Show? 14. What is the name of the Curry native, pictured above left, an executive director with the World Health Organisation, who became one of the faces of the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic? 15. The eccentric zookeeper Joe Exotic became a worldwide sensation thanks to his appearances on which Netflix documentary series? 16. The Pentagon released three declassified videos in April, all purporting to show what aerial phenomena? 17. Who was elected as the new leader of the Labour Party in the United Kingdom? 18. Leo Varadkar had a habit of squeezing pop culture references into his speeches as Taoiseach this year. Which classic sci-fi film series was he quoting when he said “there is no fate but what we make for ourselves”? 19. Which much talked about

TV series, pictured on facing page, partially set in Sligo, was released on the BBC in April? 20. In April, a story about a dance held in 1919 acted as a cautionary tale about people mingling too soon in large groups during a pandemic. In which north Sligo village did that event take place? 21. In early May, ‘Operation Gideon’ was an unsuccessful attempt by dissident natives and a private American security firm to infiltrate which South American country to overthrow its leader Nicolas Maduro? 22. Protests took place across the United States and the world in response to the killing of which man in Minnesota? 23. Irish people held a fundraiser for the Navajo Nation tribe in the United States which was devastated by Covid-19. The fund, which rose to €2.5m, was organised to recognise an act of kindness from the tribe towards Ireland during which period in Irish history? 24. Dominic Cummings, a then advisor of Boris Johnson, made headlines when he broke Covid-19 restrictions by making a 50km drive. What unusual reason did he offer to explain his actions? 25. Which social media platform took action on Donald Trump’s posts for the first time by attaching a warning about innacuracy where deemed appropriate? 26. In June, which English footballer’s ongoing campaign to end childhood poverty in the UK prompted a landmark decision at government level to extend free school meals for children during the summer holidays? 27. Micheál Martin succeeded Leo Varadkar as Taoiseach on June 27. Which county is Martin from? 28. Who was elected mayor of the Sligo Borough District in June? 29. During a Black Lives Matter protest, the statue of 17th century slave trader Edward Colston was torn down and thrown into the nearby harbour. In which British city did this occur? 30. A new world record was set this summer when a guitar, used in an iconic oneoff television performance in 1994, became the most expensive sold at auction, fetching €4.9m. Who did it belong to? 31. In July, an 84-year agreement was ended when the 6th century Hagia Sophia cathedral was approved for reconversion into a mosque from a museum. In which country will you find the Hagia Sophia? 32. What was the name of the Italian composer who passed away at 92 years old on July 6, famous for his scores of westerns such as ‘The Good, The Bad and The Ugly’? 33. A new mural, pictured above, by artist Friz paying tribute to frontline workers was completed in which Sligo car park? 34. Which rapper announced on July 4 that he would be running in the US presidential election? 35. Croke Park opened its doors to accomodate a small celebration of which important Islamic holiday? 36. On August 4, a major explosion caused by usafely stored ammonium nitrate occurred in which middle eastern country, causing between €15 billion to €20 billion in damage? 37. Which politician, best known for his role in designing the Northern Ireland peace process, passed away at the age of 82 in August? 38. The Oireachtas Golf Society scandal in Clifden which came to light in early August was widely known by what nickname? 39. US presidential election candidate Joe Biden announced whom as his running mate on August 11? 40. Which US state endured some of its worst ever wildfires throughout August, burning millions of acres of land and displacing hundreds of thousands of residents? 41. In September, Charlie McConalogue became the third person to assume which ministerial post in the space of just 67 days? 42. Ballymote’s Brian Colsh, pictured above, was a European junior silver medalist in September. In which team sport does he compete? 43. Despite weeks of protests relating to accusations of voter fraud, Alexander Lukashenko was sworn in for a sixth-term