The 1960s transformed life on the island of Ireland through economic growth, free second-level schooling, and modern mass media, alongside growing political tension in Northern Ireland. In the Junior Cycle examination, you are expected to debate the historical significance of the decade by weighing major breakthroughs against ongoing inequalities and conflict.
Economic Transformation: Lemass and Whitaker
The decade began after the 1950s, a period of economic stagnation when high tariffs and unemployment drove about 40,000 people a year to emigrate.
In 1958 the senior civil servant T.K. Whitaker wrote the report Economic Development. The government's First Programme for Economic Expansion was based on it, and Seán Lemass put it into action when he became Taoiseach in 1959.
- Tariffs were cut, and the Anglo-Irish Free Trade Area Agreement (1965) opened trade with Britain.
- Multinationals received tax concessions and grants to build factories in Ireland.
- The economy grew by roughly 4% each year, unemployment fell, and emigration dropped sharply.
- Ireland applied to join the EEC (European Economic Community) in 1961, though entry was delayed until 1973.
Northern Ireland: Cooperation and Conflict
Exam questions require you to consider the whole island of Ireland, including developments in Northern Ireland.
- In January 1965, Seán Lemass travelled to Stormont to meet Northern Ireland Prime Minister Terence O'Neill, opening cross-border dialogue on trade and tourism.
- NICRA demanded one man, one vote in local elections, an end to gerrymandering, fair allocation of council housing, and an end to job discrimination against Catholics.
- On 5 October 1968 the RUC (Royal Ulster Constabulary) baton-charged a civil rights march in Derry, and the scenes were shown on television.
- Widespread civil unrest in August 1969 forced the deployment of British troops, marking the beginning of the Troubles.
Debating the Decade: Change versus Continuity
To debate means to present both sides of an argument before reaching a justified historical conclusion.
| Arguments for Transformation | Arguments for Continuity or Conflict |
|---|---|
| Economic growth and falling emigration | The economic plan began in 1958, before the decade |
| Free secondary education from 1967 | The Church still controlled most schools and hospitals, and censorship continued |
| Telefís Éireann brought new ideas into Irish homes | Gender inequality and the marriage bar continued |
| Early North-South political cooperation | Rising sectarian violence and British troop deployment (1969) |
Key terms
- Protectionism
- The economic policy of placing high tariffs (taxes) on imports to shield domestic industries from foreign competition.
- First Programme for Economic Expansion
- A 1958 economic plan based on T.K. Whitaker's work and implemented by Seán Lemass that introduced free trade, grants, and foreign investment.
- Gerrymandering
- The unfair manipulation of electoral boundaries to give one political party an advantage over another.
- NICRA
- The Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association, formed in 1967 to campaign non-violently against discrimination in voting, housing, and jobs.
- Vernacular
- The native everyday language of a local population, used for Catholic services after Vatican II instead of Latin.
- Ecumenism
- The promotion of cooperation, dialogue, and better understanding between different Christian denominations.
Check yourself
Which senior civil servant wrote the 1958 report Economic Development?
T.K. Whitaker.
In what year did free second-level education actually begin?
1967 (announced in 1966).
When did Telefís Éireann begin broadcasting?
31 December 1961.
Which two leaders met in January 1965 to improve North-South relations?
Seán Lemass and Terence O'Neill.
What was the main local government voting demand made by NICRA?
"One man, one vote" (ending the property qualification in local elections).
Social, Educational, and Cultural Change
Everyday society opened up to new ideas and modern international standards.