The 1960s in Irish History: A Decade of Transformation
The 1960s marked a pivotal period in Irish history with significant changes in economic policy, education, and societal norms. The era saw the publication of the first Programme for Economic Development, the establishment of Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ), and the visit of President Kennedy to Ireland. Notable personalities such as Seán Lemass, Donagh O'Malley, and Gay Byrne played key roles in shaping the decade. Economic policies shifted towards export encouragement, leading to improved employment rates and reduced emigration. Changes in education aimed at providing greater access to schooling for all children. Overall, the 1960s in Ireland were characterized by progress, social change, and modernization.
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THE 1960S An Important Decade in Irish History 25 The 1960s An Important Decade in Irish History Chapter 25
THE 1960S An Important Decade in Irish History 25 What Will I Learn? Debate the idea of the 1960s as an important decade in Irish history Examine the role of relevant personalities, issues and events Explore the Nature of History
THE 1960S An Important Decade in Irish History 25 Events Personalities Issues Publication of First Programme for Economic Development Teilif s ireann (RT ) set up President Kennedy visited Ireland Lemass and O Neill meet Latin Mass changed to vernacular NICRA founded Civil rights march in Derry Free Secondary education and free school transport introduced Se n Lemass Donagh O Malley Gay Byrne John F. Kennedy Se n Riada Terence O Neill Ian Paisley Unemployment Emigration Social changes Civil rights
THE 1960S An Important Decade in Irish History 25 What Important Changes Occurred in Economic Policy in the 1960s? An immigrant returning to the Republic of Ireland in the late fifties after thirty years abroad would have had few recognition problems. The country had no television station, although the few homes on the east coast which could afford TV sets picked up programmes from the British stations. Shopping was still the homely experience it always had been Those most conservative of Irish institutions, the churches, were very much as they had been in 1930 . Late marriages, large families and high rates of emigration were as common as ever. Fergal Tobin, The Best of Decades, Ireland in the Nineteen Sixties, Gill and Co., Dublin Ireland in 1950s
THE 1960S An Important Decade in Irish History 25 First Programme for Economic Development Abolished policy of protection Encouraged exports Tax concessions and grants given to foreign companies Employment rose Emigration fell People better off Se n Lemass
THE 1960S An Important Decade in Irish History 25 Important Changes in Education Source 2 What of the future? We will be judged by future generations on what we did for the children of our time. . There was no difficulty in picking out the basic fault in our present educational structure and that was the fact that many families could not afford to pay even part of the cost of education for their children. . I propose therefore, from the coming school year, beginning in September of next year (1967), to introduce a scheme whereby, up to the completion of the Intermediate Certificate course, the opportunity for free post-primary education will be available to all families. Speech by Donogh O Malley, Minister of Education, The Irish Times, 12 September, 1966 Source 1 At the time, about a third or 17,000 children who finished primary school were dropping out of education; at 15 years of age fewer than 50 per cent were still in full-time education. By 16, only 36 per cent were still at school. Within a decade of the policy change, participation rates in second-level had doubled. The Irish Times, 14 February, 2017
THE 1960S An Important Decade in Irish History 25 Important Changes in Education Source 2 Number of students taking the Leaving Certificate, 1951 72
THE 1960S An Important Decade in Irish History 25 What Important Social Changes Occurred? People better off than in 1950s First shopping centres More tourists More Irish holidayed abroad Ireland opened up to outside ideas Changes in Catholic Church brought about by Vatican II
THE 1960S An Important Decade in Irish History 25 What Important Social Changes Occurred? Gay Byrne Teilif s ireann (later RT ) set up Impact of The Late Late Show and 7 Days President Kennedy s visit to Ireland in 1963 You have modernised your economy, harnessed your rivers, diversified your industry, liberalised your trade, electrified your farms, accelerated your rate of growth and improved the living standards of your people. John F. Kennedy, President of the United States, in Ireland 1963
THE 1960S An Important Decade in Irish History 25 What Important Changes Occurred in Entertainment? Cinema and television Television led to decline of cinema Traditional music Impact of Se n Riada and Ceolt ir Cualainn Ballad boom The Dubliners, The Clancy Brothers The Dubliners Se n O Riada Miami Showband on an Irish stamp
THE 1960S An Important Decade in Irish History 25 What Changes Made the 1960s Important in Northern Ireland? Prime Minister, Terence O Neill Attracted new industries to the North Mostly located in Protestant Eastern Ulster Improved relations with Catholics Met Cardinal Conway, head of Catholic Church in Ireland Visited Catholic schools Improved relations with the South Met Se n Lemass Terence O Neill
THE 1960S An Important Decade in Irish History 25 Why were the 1960s Important for Relations between Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland ? Concern of extreme unionists Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) formed Ian Paisley critical of O Neill Catholics disappointed that O Neill did not bring in reforms Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association (NICRA) set up Demands One man, one vote in local elections An end to gerrymandering An end to discrimination in jobs and housing Marches and rioting in Derry and Belfast O Neill forced to resign The beginning of the Troubles Discrimination against Catholics in Northern Ireland Property qualification in local elections Gerrymandering of constituencies Allocation of houses Allocation of jobs
