And students at Thornhill College and their guests got all dressed up for the school’s formal.
Here is a selection of pictures from January 1998.

. Seated, from left, Shauna Gillespie, Ruth Morrison, Fiona Hillen, Mary Durkan, Kellie Robinson and Orla Devine. Standing, from left, Gareth Crowley, Adam Fitzsimons, Phelim McColgan, Odhran McLaughlin, Kevin McCauley and Phil McLaughlin.
Seated, from left, Shauna Gillespie, Ruth Morrison, Fiona Hillen, Mary Durkan, Kellie Robinson and Orla Devine. Standing, from left, Gareth Crowley, Adam Fitzsimons, Phelim McColgan, Odhran McLaughlin, Kevin McCauley and Phil McLaughlin. Photo: Archive

. Taoiseach Bertie Ahern meets pupils from St. John's Primary School.
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern meets pupils from St. John's Primary School. Photo: archive

. Seated, from left, Lisa Feeney, Carrie McCauley, Karen Kerr, Meghan McLaughlin, Ciara Curran and Melissa McCafferty. Standing, from left, Jonathan Heaney, Chris Abel, Declan Sharkey, Gerard McDaid, Ben Gallagher and Ravi Sumra. Pictured at the Thornhill College Formal.
Seated, from left, Lisa Feeney, Carrie McCauley, Karen Kerr, Meghan McLaughlin, Ciara Curran and Melissa McCafferty. Standing, from left, Jonathan Heaney, Chris Abel, Declan Sharkey, Gerard McDaid, Ben Gallagher and Ravi Sumra. Pictured at the Thornhill College Formal. Photo: archive

. Bertie Ahern with the Mayor of Derry, Councillor Martin Bradley and Foyle MP John Hume.
Bertie Ahern with the Mayor of Derry, Councillor Martin Bradley and Foyle MP John Hume. Photo: archive

. Senator Paddy McGowan with Pat 'The Cope' Gallagher in Rossville Street.
Senator Paddy McGowan with Pat 'The Cope' Gallagher in Rossville Street. Photo: archive

. Bertie Ahern, John Hume and Mayor of Derry, Martin Bradley.
Bertie Ahern, John Hume and Mayor of Derry, Martin Bradley. Photo: archive

13. Seated, from left, Aisling Walls, Julie Doherty, Emmy Lou Large, Cheryl Parkhouse, Deirdre Bradley and Debbie McGee. Standing, from left, Ruairi McCallion, Stephen McFadden, Gavin Breslin, Gary Curran, John McGeady and James Page. Pictured at the Thornhill College Formal.
Seated, from left, Aisling Walls, Julie Doherty, Emmy Lou Large, Cheryl Parkhouse, Deirdre Bradley and Debbie McGee. Standing, from left, Ruairi McCallion, Stephen McFadden, Gavin Breslin, Gary Curran, John McGeady and James Page. Pictured at the Thornhill College Formal. Photo: archive

14. Seated, from left, Gemma McKenna, Caitriona Rooney, Emer Gallagher, Aileen Donaghy, Colette Lyttle and Louise Doherty, with their guests at the Thornhill College Formal.
Seated, from left, Gemma McKenna, Caitriona Rooney, Emer Gallagher, Aileen Donaghy, Colette Lyttle and Louise Doherty, with their guests at the Thornhill College Formal. Photo: archive

15. Bertie Ahern pays his respects as the Bloody Sunday memorial.
Bertie Ahern pays his respects as the Bloody Sunday memorial. Photo: archive