US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama go for a pint in their Moneygall ‘local’.

The Queen and Prince Philip eye up a pint of the black stuff, but politely decline to partake.

The Queen visits the home of GAA, Croke Park. “Her debut at Croke Park lasted just 14 minutes,” UTV’s Mark McFadden reported.

The Queen lays a wreath at the Garden of Remembrance, commemorating fallen Irish republicans in an extraordinary moment in Anglo-Irish history.

The Queen addresses guests at Dublin Castle, including Taoiseach Enda Kenny and President Mary McAleese, in Irish.

UTV’s Paul Clark, Marc Mallett and Political Editor Ken Reid geared up for a mammoth programme during the election count.

Barack Obama arrives in style, bring Air Force One and ‘The Beast’ to Dublin. Best not mention that whole getting stuck in a security gate thing …

Barack Obama is enthusiastic about his gift of a hurley from Taoiseach Enda Kenny, warning Congressmen they could get “a little pat” …

Royal couple William and Kate visit Northern Ireland ahead of the wedding of the year. “People who met them were all so thrilled - struck by warmth, sincerity and striking looks of both,” UTV’s Sarah Clarke reported.

In the run-up to the Assembly election, UTV hosted a special leaders’ debate.

Results aside, it was the laborious counting process that threatened to steal the headlines after voters went to the polls. Who could forget UTV’s Mark McFadden stuck in the ‘Hotel California-esque’ count centre in Omagh …“Unbelievably load of votes soaked in transit. Staff using hairdryers on them. Seriously,” he lamented.

The DUP’s Peter Robinson celebrates with his son, after being elected in east Belfast – a year after losing his Westminster seat there.

Former Taoiseach Garret Fitzgerald, most noted for his negotiation of the 1985 Anglo-Irish Agreement with then British prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, passed away in May.

The year began with Northern Ireland Water under fire, as thousands of people were left depending on bottled supplies in the wake of the Big Freeze and subsequent Big Thaw.

Riots marred the summer months in Ardoyne, east Belfast and Ballyclare. Particular concerns were raised that children as young as eight were involved.

The MTV EMAs came to Belfast in November and were hailed a resounded success, with major gigs at the Odyssey, City Hall and the Ulster Hall.

MTV host Selena Gomez picked up the lingo: “Keep it lit, Belfast!”.

Lady Gaga wowed fans with more eclectic outfits and belted out new track Marry The Night to all but steal the show.

It fell to the Red Hot Chili Peppers to rock the legendary Ulster Hall.

Snow Patrol were overwhelmed by the opportunity to play such a huge gig on home turf. “Belfast doesn’t know itself,” a rather emotional Gary Lightbody said – possibly to the confusion of the foreign press, but we knew what he meant!

The First and Deputy First Ministers, Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness, stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Justice Minister David Ford and PSNI Chief Constable Matt Baggott to condemn the murder of young Omagh policeman Ronan Kerr.

DUP leader Peter Robinson attended his first Catholic funeral – that of Constable Ronan Kerr – flanked by the Sinn Féin leadership. "I will have my critics, but it is a personal decision I have taken,” he said.

Ronan Kerr was aged just 25 when he died in an under-car bomb outside his home in Omagh. His grieving family – and the widow of fellow murdered policeman Stephen Carroll – spoke out against those behind such attacks.

2011 had barely begun when the shocking news broke of the death of Michaela McAreavey – the beloved daughter of Tyrone GAA boss Mickey Harte. It was news made all the more shocking when it emerged the young woman had been murdered just days into her honeymoon on the island of Mauritius.

Thousands of tributes for Michaela flooded in, as her grieving father Mickey and husband John supported each other through their heartbreak – showing an incredible strength at such a dark time.

Michaela’s funeral Mass was held in the church she had been married in only days earlier and the young bride was buried in her wedding dress.

In happier times, Michaela was always by her father’s side at GAA games.

Hundreds of bikers turned out to act as escorts for the bodies of two road racers lost during the year. Adrian McFarland, who was killed during a race in the Czech Republic, and Wayne Hamilton (inset), who was killed at the Manx Grand Prix on the Isle of Man.

Wayne Hamilton and Adrian McFarland in action.

Golfers Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell and Darren Clarke celebrate success – Rory’s highlights included his US Open win and giving world number one Luke Donald a run for his money in the Race to Dubai, while Darren was delighted with his Open win in Kent. G-Mac says he’s been disappointed not to have lived up to his 2010 achievements, but has high hopes for 2012.

Darren Clarke celebrates with his boys, Tyrone and Conor.

Rory McIlroy lifts the US Open and (inset) Shanghai Masters trophies.

For boxing in Northern Ireland, the upset of the year came when Paul McCloskey’s bid for the world light-welterweight title was cut short by a minor gash above his eye. The points win for Amir Khan didn’t go down well, with McCloskey’s furious promoter Barry Hearn branding it “a disgrace”.

When it came to motorcycling’s big events, the weather had other plans. Rain devastated the North West 200 (pictured), leaving Carrick’s Alastair Seeley the winner of the only race to be completed. The Isle of Man TT also suffered, albeit to a lesser degree.

On the Isle of Man, Ballymoney’s Michael Dunlop suffered mechanical problems in the Superbike class, but – despite the rain – he still managed a big win in the Supersports. A number of riders expressed serious concerns over racing in the wet and Guy Martin threatened organisers with “a thick ear”, but the Dunlop spirit shone through. “Bit of craic … nothing to whinge about,” Michael shrugged.

Kiwi Bruce Anstey definitely wasn’t enjoying the wet and cold conditions – his duvet first appeared at the North West and then reappeared, shared by teammate John McGuinness at the Isle of Man TT.

In September, superstar Rihanna causes quite a stir when she visited Northern Ireland – filming her music video for We Found Love in Belfast’s New Lodge estate.

Rihanna in the New Lodge – the chart-topper also visited a local chippy during filming and was spotted dancing on tables. One customer told UTV the locals “wouldn’t get away with that carry-on”!

Rihanna filming in an American muscle car, in front of crowds in the New Lodge. "I love you, Belfast. Thank you,” she yelled through a megaphone.

Before heading to the New Lodge, controversy was sparked when Rihanna began filming in a field in Bangor – while she started out in a checked shirt (pictured), the singer was considerably less wrapped up when she encountered field owner and DUP alderman Alan Graham …

UTV and U105 got caught up in some celeb-related madness when X Factor stars One Direction visited the studios – hundreds (and we mean hundreds) of screaming fans descended on Havelock House. And we thought it was just Frank Mitchell’s fan club!

Little Gortin girl Janet Devlin set out in a bid to achieve X Factor glory.

One X Factor make-over later, and Janet’s transformed into a flame-haired songstress. Unfortunately, Janet didn’t quite make the final - but she did put her home town on the map.

Janet headed State-side with mentor Kelly Rowland and the rest of the girls.

Gortin’s own Janet Devlin.

A little bit of television magic came to Northern Ireland, when The Seven arrived on Downhill beach in the shadow of Mussenden Temple. If you haven’t heard of them, just ask a Game of Thrones fan!

HBO series Game of Thrones has been filming in Northern Ireland, with many local people even snapping up parts as extras.

Coleraine actress Michelle Fairley provides an extra local link to Game of Thrones, starring as Lady Catelyn Stark.

Dublin lift the Sam Maguire, after goalie hero Stephen Cluxton scored the winning point in stoppage time at the end of the 2011 final – the only goalkeeper in the history of the game to have done so.

Northern Ireland endured a disastrous Euro 2012 campaign, which saw them crash out of the competition and end the year trailing in 88th place in the FIFA world rankings.

Nigel Worthington bowed out as Northern Ireland manager, with recently departed Shamrock Rovers boss Michael O’Neill ending the year as frontrunner to succeed him.

The Republic of Ireland fared better than NI, securing their place in the Euro 2012 finals and sparking massive celebrations among fans.

In rugby, Ireland’s World Cup hopes were shattered in New Zealand at the hands of Wales, despite high hopes for success.

Linfield lift the Gibson Cup after winning their 50th Irish League championship on the club’s 125th anniversary at Windsor Park.

Sinn Féin Sports Minister Carál Ní Chuilín attended her first Northern Ireland game at Windsor, arriving after the national anthem and leaving before the final whistle.

Sinn Féin Lord Mayor of Belfast Niall Ó Donnghaile caused controversy when he refused to present a Duke of Edinburgh award to a 15-year-old because she was an Army cadet. He later apologised, but loyalists protested outside City Hall.

During the election, Ulster Unionist leader Tom Elliot shocked onlookers with an outburst in which he branded Sinn Féin “scum” live on UTV. In the studio, the party’s Gerry Kelly said: "It's the type of language that should have been left behind a long time ago."

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny was elected as Taoiseach, replacing Brian Cowen.

Around 10,000 people enjoyed the annual Belfast Mela when the colourful spectacular again came to the city.

Britney Spears was among a host of stars to bring big shows to Belfast, performing at the Odyssey Arena.

Local lass Christine Bleakley cemented her WAG status and celebrated her engagement to footballer Frank Lampard.

US rockers 30 Seconds To Mars and rapper Dizzee Rascal were among the headliners at this year’s Belsonic in Custom House Square.

The weather in 2011 made the headlines for numerous reasons – the picturesque snow was captured by Lesser Spotted Ulster Snapper finalist John Shaw.

Less pretty was the impact of a weather-related landslide in Londonderry – vehicles and outhouses were crushed by rubble, but luckily no one was injured.

October saw the worst of the floods across Northern Ireland, with the west particularly badly hit. Omagh’s Strule River (pictured) reached its highest ever level.

Beragh Red Knights were again flooded, causing serious damage to their multi-million pounds facility.

Northern Ireland was even hit by the tail-end of Hurricane Katia.

Callum Duff - the Lurgan baby who defied the odds and survived being born just 25 weeks into his mum's pregnancy – was so tiny his dad’s wedding ring fit over his foot.

The tiny footprints of ‘miracle baby’ Callum Duff.

Surf’s up, dawg! Ireland’s first ever Doggy Surf Open Day was held at Lahinch Beach in Co Clare and all for a good cause – Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind.

There were dramatic scenes outside Belfast’s Central Station in September when a bus overturned.

Larne businessman Laurence Wilson and Dónal Walsh from Waterford miraculously walked away with only minor injuries when a Manx2 plane from Belfast crashed in Cork – six of the 12 people on board were killed, while four others were seriously injured.

Hazel Stewart was sentenced to a minimum of 18 years in jail for double-murder. The story of killer dentist Colin Howell and his plot with Stewart to kill their respective spouses prompted Press Association Ireland Editor Deric Henderson to pen the book Let This Be Our Secret.

Robert Black is now recognised as the UK’s worst serial child killer, having been found guilty of the murders of four little girls – including Co Antrim nine-year-old Jennifer Cardy.

Jennifer Cardy’s parents, Andy and Pat, revealed how they had prayed for their little girl’s remorseless killer Robert Black. "Murder and death and trial and trauma are no match for the grace of God,” Jenifer’s mum said.

Nine-year-old Jennifer Cardy, pictured with the little red bicycle that became a poignant image for people across Northern Ireland when it was found abandoned in the wake of her abduction in 1981.

Karen Walsh, pictured during her trial over the murder of her 81-year-old neighbour Maire Rankin. She was found guilty and handed the longest jail sentence ever given to a woman in Northern Ireland – a minimum tariff of 20 years.

V For Vendetta masks appeared in Belfast on November 30, as more than 200,000 workers in Northern Ireland joined union colleagues across the UK in the biggest single day of strike action for more than 30 years - in a row over pension and budget cuts.

The City of Culture marked the opening of its new Peace Bridge with fireworks.

A hot air balloon festival at Moira Demesne proved a colourful spectacular.

Shane Simpson from Coleraine (pictured with UTV’s Joe Mahon) picked up the Lesser Spotted Ulster Snapper 2011 accolade for his stunning shot - entitled Eye of the Causeway, Portbradden.