See also: 1937 in Ireland, other events of 1938, 1939 in Ireland and the list of 'years in Ireland'.

Events

• January 17 - The Ford Motor Works in Cork City produces its 25,000th car to be built there.
• April 13 - The Department of Local Government & Public Health reports that cases of typhoid and diphtheria have reduced, however, infant deaths have increased.
• April 21 - Dr. Douglas Hyde is selected unanimously by the two main political parties to serve as the first President of Ireland.
• April 26 - The text of the Anglo-Irish Agreement is publised. The agreement results in the transfer of the ports at Cobh, Berehaven and Lough Swilly in return for a one-off payment of £10 million.
• May 10 - The government makes an order converting the "Saorstát pound" to the "Irish pound" as part of the new constitutions reforms.
• May 24 - The new Anti-Partition Party takes eight seats in a unionist-controlled Derry Corporation.
• June 25 - Dr. Douglas Hyde is formally inaugurated as the first President of Ireland.
• July 11 - Three Cork Harbour forts are returned to the Irish Government.
• August 8 - Dublin Corporation purchases 16 sets of traffic lights.
• August 21 - The £50,000 20,000-seat Cusack Stand is officially opened at GAA haedquarters in Croke Park.
• September 12 - Eamon de Valera is elected President of the Assembley of the League of Nations in geneva.
• October 3 - Britain's last forts in the 26 counties are handed back to the people of Ireland.
• December 17 - The GAA confirms that the President of Ireland, Dr. Douglas Hyde, will cease to be a patron of the organisation because of his attendance at an international soccer match.

Sports

Births

• April 29 - Ray MacSharry, former Tánaiste, Fianna Fáil TD, Cabinet Minister and European Commissioner.
• August 1 - Paddy Moloney, musician with The Chieftains.
• August 3 - Terry Wogan, BBC broadcaster.

Deaths