The year got off to a sensational start with the release of Stormont documents from 1972 which revealed how a young Gerry Adams held top-secret talks with the NIO in 1972.
The papers, available for the first time under the 30-year-rule, dominated the headlines for days.
According to the documents, the British army gave £300 to the IRA in west Belfast in a bid to end a stand-off in the summer of 1972.
Only 48 hours into the new year, the loyalist feud claimed another victim: Roy Green. The associate of ousted UDA leader Johnny Adair was gunned down as he left the Kimberly Bar in south Belfast.
But it was the shooting of four Birmingham teenagers at a New Year's Day party that led to calls for a crackdown on gun control. Two of the girls – Charlene Ellis and Letisha Shakespear – died after being sprayed with bullets from a machine gun.
Father Joe McGuigan, left, became the first serving Catholic priest in Ireland to admit to being gay. Support flooded in for the popular St Peter's parish priest and more than 1,000 locals signed a petition urging Fr Joe to stay.
In Derry, attempts to save the landmark Tillie and Henderson factory were thwarted and the historic building was demolished.
As the loyalist feud escalated, Johnny Adair was put back behind bars by Secretary of State Paul Murphy, who revoked his early release licence for the second time.
It was a good month for Bertie Ahern's youngest daughter Cecilia (21) who landed a million dollar book deal with an American publisher.
Freezing conditions across most of Europe eventually spread to Northern Ireland, with heavy snow and ice causing havoc on the roads.
But the loyalist feud continued to heat up, with the murders of UDA 'brigadier' John Gregg and fellow UDA man Robert Carson, gunned down as they sat in a taxi in Belfast.
In a dramatic twist, the family of Johnny Adair, below left – including wife Gina – and his remaining supporters fled the Lower Shankill to seek sanctuary in Scotland.
In the first case of its kind, an unborn baby was summonsed to appear before a court in Belfast.
Court papers were served on the expectant mother in a legal dispute centering on whether her estranged partner was the child's father.
The Republic's football fans had their hopes of a Roy Keane comeback dashed, when the Manchester United star called time on his international career.
Chief Constable Hugh Orde came under fire for comments he made regarding the Saville Inquiry in an interview with the Financial Times.
Abroad, the United States was shocked to the core after two nightclub disasters in one week killed 86 people in total.
And millions of people watched their television screens in disbelief as the Columbia space shuttle disintegrated on re-entry, killing all seven astronauts on board.
A series of violent assaults shocked and outraged the public and politicians alike this month.
In one of the most brutal incidents, 35-year-old Kieran Joseph Kelly died following a vicious attack in north Belfast. The man, a nephew of Sinn Féin mid-Ulster MLA John Kelly, was bludgeoned to death with a hammer.
Just a few days later, a 54-year-old man was viciously assaulted at his home in south Belfast. A gang burst into his home and attacked Maurice McCracken with a hammer. His devastated family said they feared he would never recover.
Then a 71-year-old priest – Fr Aidan Denny – was attacked in his parochial house in west Belfast, his battered and bruised face appearing on the front page of virtually every newspaper.
Republican dissidents admitted responsibility for the attempted bombing of Laganside courthouse. The device failed to go off.
Two high-profile court cases were brought to an end in March. Former UVF "supergrass" Clifford McKeown, left, was found guilty of the vic- ious sectarian killing of Catholic taxi driver Michael McGoldrick.
And Lesley Gault was convicted of setting up the murder of her husband Paul, the father of her four children.
Despite the largest anti-war demonstrations ever, the first shots of the war on Iraq were fired on March 20 by US and British troops.
Hopes were high for a breakthrough in the peace process, as Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern met for talks. However that optimism proved ill-founded and assembly elections were postponed – for the first time.
But some commentators found some hope in Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams's speech at his party's Ard Fheis at the end of the month. Mr Adams told the crowd that he could envisage "a future without the IRA".
US President George Bush made a surprise visit to the north in April, to try and inject some momentum into the peace process and show his support for Tony Blair.
A roar of jubilation greeted a judge's ruling that serial so-called joy-rider Harry Marley should serve 12 years in prison following his conviction for causing the death of 15-year-old Debbie McComb.
Ian Keith Malone (28), left, a Dublin-born lance corporal in the first Battalion of the Irish Guards, became the first member of the British army from the Republic to died in the service of the Crown since the Second World War.
The Sars epidemic spread from mainland China to Hong Kong and as far afield as Canada, killing nearly 300 people and sparking widespread panic.
Closer to home, there was a 'Sars scare' – the first of many – at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast when two patients were admitted showing symptoms of the deadly disease. It turned out to be a false alarm.
John Stevens's eagerly awaited report into collusion was published. He concluded that there was collusion between elements of the RUC Special Branch and British army and loyalist paramilitaries.
Former British agent Brian Nelson died of a brain haemorrhage, leaving many questions unanswered. For the last twelve years, Nelson was at the centre of allegations that the security forces had allegedly directed and colluded with loyalist paramilitaries.
Chances of a political deal faded further in May, with Sinn Féin declaring that "the paper chase is over", and the British government postponing the elections indefinitely.
The IRA delayed publication of its statement on its future intentions as the peace process entered a new period of uncertainty.
In England, the furore over gay bishops split the Anglican Church in half.
Newspapers identified alleged IRA double agent 'Stakeknife' as west Belfast man Freddie Scappaticci. He denied the claims.
In a dramatic escape from Downpatrick courthouse, two dangerous prisoners went on the run, hijacking a car and evading police officers for days. David Albert Taggart (22) and Ian Oliver Carlin (31) were eventually caught and escorted back to prison.
The father of abducted Armagh man Gareth O'Connor blamed the IRA for the disappearance of his 24-year-old son. Police believe he was ambushed as he crossed the south Armagh border.
Self-confessed UFF killer Ken Barrett was charged with the murder of Catholic solicitor Pat Finucane.
June had its highs and lows. But you couldn't get much higher than Newry man Terence 'Banjo' Bannon, who became the first person from Northern Ireland to scale Mount Everest.
It was a good month for SDLP councillor Martin Morgan, right, who, at 36 years old, became one of the youngest ever lord mayors of Belfast. UUP Councillor Margaret Crooks was named as his deputy.
And it was a fantastic month for the thousands of athletes who took part in the year's largest sporting event – the Special Olympics in Dublin.
Police intercepted a massive 1200lb bomb on its way, it is believed, to Derry's Waterside police station. It is thought that republican dissidents were behind it.
The body of Alan McCullough, a 21-year-old loyalist, was found by workmen in Mallusk. The UFF admitted responsibility for his murder.
David Trimble saw off another challenge from anti-agreement unionist Jeffrey Donaldson. Mr Trimble won by 56% of the vote in a head-to-head battle with his Lagan Valley opponent.
Trouble flared at a notorious interface in north Belfast during an Orange Order parade. A tense stand-off developed between marchers and residents, sparking fears for the coming parade season.
And further afield, Beckhamania hit Spain with the news that all Manchester United fans had been dreading – David Beckham was leaving the premiership to play for Real Madrid.
Parishioners in Poleglass were blown away by news that they are set to have Ireland's first wind-powered church.
Sinn Féin former Lord Mayor Alex Maskey slammed DUP leader Ian Paisley's calls for the IRA to disband as "farcical".
Meanwhile, community and Church leaders joined together to condemn a racist attack on a mixed race family in Craigavon.
For a parade season, it was a relatively quiet one, with litte trouble on the Twelfth of July. However the traditional bonfires had environmentalists up in arms over the levels of toxic gases released by the massive blazes.
Irish people were told that they could sign up to a service and receive a daily text update from Pope John Paul II, left. The Vatican Information Service regretted that the service is only open to the Republic.
A west Belfast man was arrested by Israeli security forces in a case of mistaken identity. Sean O'Muireagain (40) was held for days in the west Bank before being released.
Respected scientist Dr David Kelly committed suicide over claims he had leaked classified MOD information to a BBC journalist. Tony Blair announced an inquiry into Mr Kelly's death. Saddam Hussein's sons Qusay and Uday were killed by American forces during gun battles in Baghdad.
Europe sweltered in record-breaking temperatures this month. Thousands died from the heat in central Europe.
Temperatures reached 38.1C in Gravesend on 10 August – the hottest day in Britain since records began. Even in Northern Ireland, the mercury crept past the double figures mark.
A fisherman was killed after his boat hit rocks and capsized off the Antrim coast.
One of Northern Ireland's leading motorcyclists was killed when his bike collided with a lorry outside Garvagh in Co Derry. Tributes poured in for the popular rider, Ricky McCreadie.
A woman in her seventies narrowly escaped death when lightening struck her north Belfast home during fierce storms.
Real IRA leader Michael McKevitt (53), left, from Dundalk in Co Louth, was convicted of directing terrorism. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Danny McGurk, a 35-year-old father, was shot dead at his west Belfast home as his children played nearby. A gang of suspected dissident republicans burst into the Ross Road house and shot Mr McGurk five times.
Antrim was put on 'big cat' alert after several sightings of a strange panther-like creature in the north of the county. Nothing was found despite an extensive police search.
The body of disappeared mother-of-ten Jean McConville was found after a dig at a Co Louth beach. She was abducted from her home in west Belfast by the IRA in 1972 after she had comforted a dying British soldier. The family of the murdered woman simply said their wish was now to "bury our mother in peace".
In Iraq, the casualties continued to mount despite the official end of the war as UN Special Envoy Sergio Viera de Mello is killed along with 22 others after a bomb exploded at the UN headquarters in Baghdad.
The family of Columba McVeigh continue their vigil at a dig for the Co Tyrone teenager's body, missing for more than 25 years.
It emerged that Fermanagh's emergency cardiac team is often forced to call a cab when neither of the county's two ambulances are available.
Pupils and staff at a north Belfast school were left shocked after a terrifying sectarian attack. Loyalists torched staff cars at Our Lady of Mercy girls school in the loyalist Ballysillan area.
Police issued a fresh appeal for information about the murder of a 10-year-old boy, Brian McDermott, 30 years ago this month. The boy's mutilated body was found in a sack in the River Lagan on September 8 1973. No-one has been convicted of the murder.
Catholic priest Fr Dan Whyte, left, received a death threat from loyalists on the eve of Cemetery Sunday. Fr Whyte, parish priest of St Mary On The Hill in Glengormley, said he refused to be intimidated.
A 34-year-old man was charged in connection with the Omagh bombing. Sean Gerard Hoey, an unemployed electrician from Molly Road, Jonesborough in south Armagh, was charged with 15 terrorist offences in total, one of which is believed to be connected to the 1998 Omagh bombing.
Three members of District Policing Boards in the north resigned after the Real IRA threatened all DPP members as "legitimate targets".
Anna Lindh, Sweden's foreign minister died after being stabbed by a man while shopping.
Hopes of a major breakthrough in the peace process were dashed after the dramatic collapse of a highly choreographed sequence of political movements.
First, fresh assembly elections were called. Then Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams came close to a 'war is over' declaration. Then the IRA carried out its largest act so far of decommissioning, but failed to supply details. Following a report from IICD chief John DeChastelain, UUP leader David Trimble said he was putting the sequence "on hold".
However the election could not be put on hold, and so a lukewarm campaign got underway. A rare highlight occurred when SDLP leader Mark Durkan went on a walkabout in Bangor and was subjected to what he later described as a "punishment bleating" by UKUP leader Robert McCartney.
Further afield, Iain Duncan Smith was ousted as Conservative party leader and Arn-old Schwarzenegger, left, was elected governor of California.
The funeral took place of west Belfast mother-of-10 Jean McConville, one of the 'Disappeared'. She was murdered and buried in a shallow grave in 1972.
A Preservation Order was placed on Harland & Wolff's famous cranes, Samson and Goliath, ensuring they would continue to dominate Belfast's skyline despite the shipyard's demise.
Belfast City Council was warned that its policy on flying the Union flag at City Hall all year round was "not legally defensible".
Pope John Paul II celebrated his silver jubilee despite failing health.
The DUP emerged from the assembly elections as the largest party, winning 30 seats. The UUP held their ground at 27 seats while on the other side of the house Sinn Féin increased their representation from 18 to 24. The SDLP were the big losers, dropping six seats to finish with 18. Hopes for progress were put on hold.
The Alliance Party held their six seats while David Ervine was the sole PUP representative. Robert McCartney was returned for the UKUP.
However the story of the election was the extraordinary victory of Carrickmore GP Kieran Deeny, left, in West Tyrone. Dr Deeny fought on the single issue of the future of hospital services in Omagh and shocked everyone by topping the poll.
Meanwhile 21-year-old Catholic man James McMahon was murdered in Lisburn. Loyalists were suspected of the murder.
Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness gave evidence to the Saville Inquiry about his actions on Bloody Sunday. He refused to give information about his IRA colleagues.
Dungiven firefighter Joseph McCloskey died from injuries he received while battling a blaze in Limavady. The 50-year-old father-of-five was the first on-duty fireman to die in almost a decade.
Tens of thousands took to the streets of London to protest against a state visit by US President George W Bush following his war in Iraq. He stayed with the Queen at Buckingham Palace.
Terrorists struck at the heart of Istanbul, killing four Britons and destroying the British Consulate.
Rugby-fever gripped the world and England proved their worth by clinching victory over host nation Australia in a thrilling final.
Ian Huntley was convicted of the murders of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in the Soham trial.
The former school caretaker received two life sentences for the murders.
His former girlfriend Maxine Carr received a three-and-a-half year sentence after she was found guilty of conspiring to pervert the course of justice.
Controversy followed the trial after it emerged that a string of allegations of sex crimes against underage girls had been made against Huntley , right, over a number of years.
Meanwhile Dublin beauty queen Rosanna Davison, daughter of Irish singer/songwriter Chris de Burgh was crowned Miss World at the annual event in China.
In politics, the party executive of the UUP issued an ultimatum to dissident MP Jeffrey Donaldson to toe the party line. Mr Donaldson responded by resigning from the party.
In Dublin, the Barron report concluded that there was probably collusion between British security forces and loyalists in the Dublin and Monaghan bombings of 1974.
Tragedy struck in Belfast when two children were killed and one critically injured when they were struck by a car in the west of the city. Christopher Shaw (11) was killed instantly while Emma Lynch (8) died from her injuries later.
