History of The Republic of Ireland with Sean Murphy

Live Zoom Course: Thursdays 7:30 – 9 pm – October 6, 13, 20, 27

Article 4 of the  Constitution adopted in 1937 by the government under Éamon de Valera states that Éire is the name of the state, or in the English language, Ireland. Some Irish wit named the state “DevelEire”

Eire demonstrated its independence from Britain by remaining neutral in World War 11. As a result, Ireland was denied Marshall Plan Aid and was not admitted into the United Nations until 1955.

Under the Republic of Ireland Act 1948 the term “Republic of Ireland” is the official “description” of the 26-county state.

The 1950’s was the “lost decade” due to the high levels of emigration and unemployment.

The 1960 and ‘70’s saw the policy of economic nationalism replaced by direct foreign investment; traditional religious conservatism replaced by cultural and social openness; and the national question enter a new era with the emergence of the Civil Rights Movement, the Provisional IRA, and war on the streets of the 6-Counties that spilled over into the whole country.

By 1948 the country had been ruled by Fianna Fáil for sixteen years and most people wanted a change. The opposition parties in the Dáil came together to form a coalition government after the election in 1948. 

1949 – Eire becomes the Republic of Ireland.

1957 – Eamon De Valera elected president and resigns from Fianna Fáil

1963 – Terence O’ Neill becomes fourth Prime Minister of  Northern Ireland.

1969 – Refugees started fleeing the violence in the 6-Counties to the 26-Counties

1972 – Bloody Sunday in Derry. Fourteen innocent people shot and killed by British soldiers.