Irish History Part VI: The 70's: Peace, love and time to say bye

Eight Ages of the Irish State : The Protected content : Peace, love and no more rosary beads - Time to say goodbye.

The Protected content was an undeniably dramatic decade, with economic, industrial and political unrest at home and abroad. Yet Ireland was still the Free State, the Celtic Tiger wasn’t even a kitten, in Britain it was all strikes, strife and misery and in Northern Ireland the stench of sulfur and poverty wasn’t far from anyone’s nostrils. The conflict spiraled out of control with high loss of life on both sides of the border. Yet it was the moment to embrace change. In Protected content became a member of the European Economic Community and assumed its first Presidency of the EEC just three years later. By the end of the decade, it joined the European Monetary System, the fore‑runner to the Euro, finally breaking parity with sterling. Catholic students allowed into Irish universities as British grants enabled a welcome invasion by the Northern Irish. Post-Woodstock, a global counterculture was at work. Together, Irish nationals and expats created an interesting fusion of sensibilities, styles and philosophies.

Join us for another interesting talk by our member and friend Fergal !