Ireland went through some difficult times after the end of World War II. From the 1950s, many Irish people emigrated to other countries because there was very little work in Ireland. However, the economy improved in Ireland in the late 1960s.
1950s
Gallery
Hay Making in the 1950s
Photograph of some men in the 1950s making a hay stack using pitch forks.
Hay Making in the 1950s -
Styles
Two young women dressed in contrasting styles in the 1950’s. The girl in the left is dressed more for fun. The other girl is dressed more formally, more for work.
Styles -
Empty Tram, Howth Summit
A photo of an empty tram at Howth Summit in the 1950s.
Fingal Photography Collection.Empty Tram, Howth Summit - Fingal Photography Collection.
Gaelic Football Match, O’Donnell Park, Letterkenny c.1950
Photo of a Gaelic football game at O’Donnell Park GAA grounds in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, in around 1950. The match is in full play. In the foreground, a group of women are attired in their 'Sunday best' clothes of skirt suits, or 'costumes' as they were then called. Some women are also wearing hats. The men standing inside the wall of the football pitch are wearing suits and shirts. The three children, all boys, are dressed in short pants and knee-length socks.
Central Library, LetterkennyGaelic Football Match, O’Donnell Park, Letterkenny c.1950 - Central Library, Letterkenny
A Supermarket in the 1950s
This is a picture of the interior of a supermarket in the 1950s. It was a small shop with a collection of necessary household items, such as canned food and kitchen utensils. At that time, many household goods were bought in specialist shops.
© Lensmen Photographic Archive.A Supermarket in the 1950s - © Lensmen Photographic Archive.
In 1961, Ireland's National Television Station, Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ), went on air for the very first time on New Year’s Eve. Before the television service began, people listened to the radio or read the paper to find out about current news. RTÉ had only one channel at the time.
In June 1963, the president of the United States, John F. Kennedy, visited the Republic of Ireland. His ancestors came from County Wexford. Huge crowds turned out to welcome him around the country. A few months later, in November 1963, John F. Kennedy was shot and killed in Dallas, Texas.
In 1967, free secondary school education was introduced in the Republic of Ireland.
1960s
Gallery
Aeriel view of traffic on O'Connell Bridge. (Dublin City Library)
Aeriel view of traffic on O'Connell Bridge, Dublin, Ireland. This photgraph was taken in the mid to late 1960s. A blue and cream liveried public bus is visible going up O'Connell St. and there are no Atlanteans yet.
By kind permission of Dublin City Council.Aeriel view of traffic on O'Connell Bridge. (Dublin City Library) - By kind permission of Dublin City Council.
Tubrid National School in 1968
This photograph shows the classroom of a national school in Ardfert, Co. Kerry. Notice the poor condition of the room, compared to the classrooms of today.
Reproduced from 'Ardfert in Times Past', by Tommy O'Connor.Tubrid National School in 1968 - Reproduced from 'Ardfert in Times Past', by Tommy O'Connor.
Snow holds up traffic 1968
Snow holds up traffic 1968
Image courtesy of Lensman.Snow holds up traffic 1968 - Image courtesy of Lensman.
Fleetwood Showband
Fleetwood Showband from Waterford in the 1960s. Fleetwoods were one of the most popular groups of the showband era
Courtesy of Waterford Museum of TreasuresFleetwood Showband - Courtesy of Waterford Museum of Treasures
Denny Street, Tralee 1960s
A working day in Denny Street in the 1960s.
Kerry County Library CollectionDenny Street, Tralee 1960s - Kerry County Library Collection