IRELAND 1950-66
FIRST INTER PARTY GOVERNMENT
MOTHER AND CHILD SCHEME
LEMASS YEARS
DEFEAT FOR DE VALERA BECAUSE:
• People wanted a change
• Unemployment and emigration
1948 TO 1951 THE FIRST INTER-PARTY GOVERNMENT.
• Fine Gael, Labour and Clan na Poblachta.
• Taoiseach was John A Costello. Sean MacBride (external affairs), Noel Browne (Health).
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Achievements:
1949 They declared Ireland a Republic-cut all links with Britain
Secured better prices for agricultural exports
Brought electricity to many rural areas, which helped modernise Irish agriculture
IDA set up to attract foreign industry to Ireland
The Mother and Child scheme-Minister for Health, Dr Noel Browne built new hospitals and used new
drugs to try to wipe out T.B., a disease which killed 3000 young people. He also tried to set up the
Mother and Child Scheme. This failed however because doctors and Catholic bishops opposed him. He
then resigned in 1951.
1951 - 1959
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1951- 1954 DeValera in power.
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Better social welfare but still high unemployment and emigration
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1954 – 1957 The Second Inter-Party government
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Joined UN
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Took action against IRA for border attacks (Clan na Poblachta pulled out of the government as a result)
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1957-1959
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DeV again interned IRA
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1959 Dev became President for the next 14 years
•
Lemass took over as Taoiseach
HOMEWORK
• Paragraph on the Mother and Child
Scheme
LEMASS IN GOVERNMENT
HTTP://WWW.HISTORYVAULT.IE/SEAN-LEMASS-1STPROGRAMME-FOR-ECONOMIC-EXPANSION-1959-1966
CHANGE IN STYLE AND APPROACH
• Lemass appointed younger ministers
like Lynch, Haughey and Donough O
Malley who were open to new ideas.
• TK Whittaker drew up the First
Programme for Economic Expansion,
which:
• Built industrial estates.
• Offered grants and tax concessions to
attract foreign industry
• Gave grants to Irish companies to
increase their exports
“SWINGING SIXTIES”
• Lemass met Terence O Neill who was the
Prime Minister of Northern Ireland and this
improved relations between both sides.
• Free Secondary education introduced By O’
Malley which increased numbers attending.
Also helped by free school transport. This
meant there was an educated workforce
• RTE set up-new ideas emerged. Changes in
lifestyle and fashion
• JFK arrived.
YEARS OF UNCERTAINTY
1966 –1985.
• Jack Lynch as Taoiseach 1966 – 1973
• 1970 The Arms crisis. Blaney and
Haughey and Blaney sacked. Boland
resigned in sympathy. Haughey later
acquitted.
• The campaign to join the EEC. We
signed up on the 1st January 1973.
THE COALITION GOVERNMENT 1973 – 1977
• Fine Gael and Labour led by Liam Cosgrave.
• Oil crisis led to inflation and unemployment. Taxes increased.
• Sunningdale signed by Heath and Cosgrave but the new power-sharing
agreement was broken by Unionist opposition
• 1974 Dublin and Monaghan bombings.
1977 - 1987
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1977 – 1981 Fianna Fail returns
•
•
‘Give-away election’
1979 Lynch resigned and Haughey took over.
•
1981 Coalition under Garret Fitzgerald (FG and Lab)
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1982 Haughey and FF in power for 10 months
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1982 –1987 FG under Fitzgerald
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Still inflation, debt, high taxes, emigration and unemployment.
Fitzgerald and Thatcher signed the Anglo-Irish agreement in 1985. It stated that the Republic would have a say in running Northern
Ireland..
IRELAND IN THE 1950S
• In 1948 de Valera lost the general election and the First Inter Party Government took over. It was led by
John A. Costello (FG) and it was a coalition between Fine Gael, Labour and Clann na Poblachta and
others.
• The Inter Party Government declared Ireland a republic and took Ireland out of the British
commonwealth.
• The government began a scheme to bring electricity to homes and farms.
• Dr Noel Browne, M. For Health introduced a scheme to bring TB under control. He also introduced the
Mother and Child scheme to provide free medical care to children under 16 and mothers but he failed
to get it passed in Dail. Ireland experienced unemployment and emigration rose.
• SEAN LEMASS AND THE 1960s
•
•
Lemass appointed younger ministers like Lynch, Haughey and Donough O Malley
•
•
TK Whittaker drew up the First Programme for Economic Expansion, which:
•
Got rid of Protectionism.
•
Encouraged exports.
•
Grants and tax concessions to attract foreign industry
•
•
Lemass met Terence O Neill.
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New schools were built.
•
Free Secondary education introduced
•
First shopping centres built
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Finglas, Ballymun, Ballyfermot etc. were built.
•
RTE set up
•
‘Swinging Sixties’
•
JFK arrived.
IRELAND IN THE 1960S
• In 1959 De Valera resigned as Taoiseach and became President. Sean Lemass took over as Taoiseach and tried
to revive the economy. He encouraged exports and gave tax incentives to foreign companies to set up in
Ireland. This created more jobs.
• The Economy: T.K. Whitaker drew up ‘The First Programme for Economic Expansion’: it encouraged industry
into Ireland through grants and tax – free. 1st industrial estate = Shannon.
• Results
•
Jobs created, emigration down and population started to increase for the first time since the Famine.
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Education → Donagh O’Malley → Free school transport and free secondary school education.
•
Social change → TV 1961 RTE was set up and television brought in new ideas.
• Free secondary education was introduced by Minister for Education Donagh O’Malley and new schools were
built
• Relations between the North and South improved.
• New towns and shopping centres were built.
JACK LYNCH YEARS
• In 1966, Jack Lynch became Taoiseach and leader of Fianna Fail
• 1. Education: Minister for Education Donough O’Malley offered University
grants to students who got at least four Honours in their Leaving Cert
• 2. Arms crisis: Serious unrest broke out in NI in 1969. Unionists mobs,
supported by the police attacked Catholic areas. Some Fianna Fail ministers
wanted to intervene to help Catholics. Two ministers Charles Haughey and
Neil Blaney were sacked by Lynch as he believed they were trying to buy
weapons for the Catholics. They were later cleared.
• 3. EEC: In January 1973, Ireland joined the EEC, now known as the EU.
- Irish farmers got guaranteed prices for their products and grants under the
Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)
- American companies were attracted to Ireland because they had access to EU
markets
- Ireland got grants for job training and road improvements
- In 1979, Jack Lynch resigned from office and was replaced by Charles Haughey
TERENECE O’NEILL
• He succeeded Lord Brookeborough (basil Brooke) as Prime Minister of
Northern Ireland.
• O’Neill wanted to improve the economy of Northern Ireland by attracting new
industries there.
• He tried to improve relations with Catholics by visiting Catholic schools
• He improved relations with the South of Ireland by inviting Sean Lemass to
Belfast, and by travelling down to Dublin later.
• He was criticised by Ian Paisley, leader of the Democratic Unionist Party.
KEYWORDS
•
B Specials
•
RUC
•
Battle of the Bogside
•
Counter Demonstrations
•
Orange Order-Apprentice Boys
•
UVF
•
DUP
•
Provisional IRA
•
POWER Sharing
•
Council of Ireland
•
Direct Rule
•
Ulster Workers Council
•
SDLP
THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT
• 1. Tensions rose between Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland.
• 2. Catholics/nationalists felt that protestants/unionists discriminated against them in the
following ways-Housing-Jobs-Politics
• 3. Nationalists now demanded their rights.
- They wanted an end to gerrymandering
- They wanted one man, one vote in local elections
- The wanted a fair allocation of houses and jobs
4. The Civil Rights Association was founded to achieve these aims. Its leaders included John
Hume and Bernadette Devlin.
- The civil rights marches led to clashes with the RUC
- O’Neill was forced to resign after he brought in reforms for nationalists
• http://www.rte.ie/archives/exhibitions/1031-civil-rights-movement-1968-9/1034-derry-5-october1968/319394-civil-rights-riots/?page=1
THE TROUBLES
• http://www.wesleyjohnston.com/users/ireland/past/troubles/troubles_stats.html
• 1. There were clashes between Catholics and the RUC in Derry after an Apprentice
Boys march in 1969. This led to the Battle of the Bogside, when the RUC tried to get
into a Catholic area. There were also riots in Belfast, so the British army was brought
in to stop rioting.
• http://www.rte.ie/archives/exhibitions/1042-northern-ireland-1969/1047-growingtension/320301-riots-in-derry/
• 2. The Provisional IRA (Provos) attacked the British army and killed many people with
bombs.
• 3. The NI government led by Brian Faulkner brought in internment (imprisonment
without trial). This led to increased bombings and shootings
• 4. Soon after this the British Government abolished the parliament in
Stormont and ruled directly from Westminster. They tried to bring peace to
Northern Ireland with the Sunningdale Agreement but this failed. There was
further trouble during the Hunger Strikes
• 5. Eventually, the Anglo Irish Agreement (1985) was signed and this gave a
greater say to the South in the North of Ireland
• 6. But it took many more years before the Troubles came to an end and peace
was brought to NI
• Tensions in April 1969
• http://www.rte.ie/archives/exhibitions/1042-northern-ireland-1969/1047-growing-tension/320309interviews-about-derry-riots/?page=1
• One man One Vote
• http://www.rte.ie/archives/exhibitions/1042-northern-ireland-1969/1047-growing-tension/320313demonstrations-continue/?page=2
• Apprentice Boys Parade that started Battle of the Bogside
• http://www.rte.ie/archives/exhibitions/1042-northern-ireland-1969/1048-august-1969/319413-this-is-thetitle/
• British troops arrive
• http://www.rte.ie/archives/exhibitions/1042-northern-ireland-1969/1048-august-1969/320419-troops-inderry/?page=1
BLOODY SUNDAY
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Htk1BRsArRA
KEYWORDS
• Stormont
• RUC
• B-Specials
• Gerrymandering
• Sectarianiasm
• The Welfare State
• Civil Rights
• NICRA
• SDLP
• Internment
• Bloody Sunday
• Direct Rule
BOBBY SANDS-HUNGER STRIKES
HM Prison Maze, near Belfast
aka The H Blocks, Long Kesh or The Maze or,
in Irish, Ceis Fada
Arranged in distinctive H-shaped
blocks
Run as a prisoner of war camp
Internees lived in dormitories
disciplined themselves with
military-style command structures
drilled with dummy guns made
from wood
held lectures on guerrilla warfare
and revolutionary politics
WHY WERE PRISONERS GIVEN SUCH FREEDOM?
• Since July 1972 not regarded as ordinary criminals
• After hunger strike in Crumlin Road Gaol, 1971
• Special Category Status (SCS) given to all prisoners convicted of scheduled terrorist crimes
• Effectively prisoner of war status with some POW ‘privileges’ as in Geneva Convention
• Not to have to wear prison uniforms or do prison work
• Housed within their various paramilitary factions
• Allowed extra visits & food parcels
• SCS withdrawn, 1 March 1976
DIRTY PROTEST
Began Mar. 1978
IRA prisoners continued to wear blankets instead of prison
uniforms
Refused to leave cells & wash
Smeared cells with
Excrement
Menstrual blood (in Armagh women’s prison)
500 protesters by 1980
I just smeared it on the wall. I ripped off a lump of the mattress to do it with.
You were going against your whole socialization of how you were brought up.
You were going against everything you'd ever learned about basic hygiene and manners and stuff like
that.
I lived like this from 1978 to 1981 - for three years.
After a time, you became accustomed to it. The maggots, for example. I mean, nobody likes maggots.
You’d be repelled by them. I don’t think I could touch a maggot now. If there was one sitting here, you
know, I’d flick it away or get somebody else to do it.
But you became so accustomed to them being in the cell, especially when winter was coming in and it
was cold. They must sense where warmth is.
You were literally waking up in the morning and there were maggots in the bed with you. It just gets to
the stage where you just brush them off.
I think the human spirit can become accustomed to any environment.
Gerard Hodgkins
WHAT WERE THE PROTESTERS’ DEMANDS?
•
•
•
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Right to wear their own clothes
Right not to do prison work
Right to free association with other prisoners
Right to a weekly visit, letter & parcel and to organise educational
& recreational activities
WHY WERE HUNGER STRIKES RESUMED
IN 1981?
• Resumed 1 Mar. 1981
• Discussions with government failing
• Initiative taken by prisoners themselves
• Leader – Bobby Sands, IRA commandant in the Maze
• 10 died
• Ended 3 Oct.1981
• Some concessions announced 6 Oct. 1981
WHO DIED ON THE HUNGER STRIKE?
Bobby Sands (26)
Irish Republican Army (IRA) and Member of Parliament (MP)
began hunger strike on 1 March 1981 and died on 5 May 1981 after 66 days without food
Francis Hughes (25) Irish Republican Army (IRA)
joined hunger strike on 15 March 1981 and died on 12 May 1981 after 59 days without food
Raymond McCreesh (24)
Irish Republican Army (IRA)
joined hunger strike on 22 March 1981 and died on 21 May 1981 after 61 days without food
Patsy O'Hara (23)
Irish National Liberation Army (INLA)
joined hunger strike on 22 March 1981 and died on 21 May 1981 after 61 days without food
Joe McDonnell (30)
Irish Republican Army (IRA)
joined hunger strike on 8 May 1981 and died on 8 July 1981 after 61 days without food
Martin Hurson (29) Irish Republican Army (IRA)
joined hunger strike on 28 May 1981 and died on 13 July 1981 after 46 days without food
Keven Lynch (25)
Irish National Liberation Army (INLA)
joined hunger strike on ? May 1981 and died on 1 August 1981 after 71 days without food
Kieran Doherty (25)
Irish Republican Army (IRA) and Teachta Dáil (TD; member of the Irish Parliament)
joined hunger strike on 22 May 1981 and died on 2 August 1981 after 73 days without food
Thomas McElwee (23)
Irish Republican Army (IRA)
joined hunger strike on 8 June 1981 and died on 8 August 1981 after 62 days without food
Michael Devine (27) Irish National Liberation Army (INLA)
joined hunger strike on 22 June 1981 and died on 20 August 1981 after 60 days without food
WHY WERE THEY IN PRISON?
Bobby Sands IRA
Possession of a firearm
Francis Hughes IRA
Various offences, including murder of a soldier
Raymond McCreesh IRA
Attempted murder, possession of a rifle,
Patsy O’Hara INLA
Possession of a hand grenade
Joe McDonnell IRA
Possession of a firearm
Martin Hurson IRA
Attempted murder, involvement in
explosions, IRA membership
Kevin Lynch INLA
Stealing shotguns, taking part in a
punishment shooting
Kieran Doherty IRA
Possession of firearms and explosives, hijacking
Thomas McElwee IRA
Manslaughter
Michael Devine INLA
Theft and possession of firearms
IRA membership
WHAT WAS IT LIKE?
You’re very sleepy and very, very tired and you’re sort of nodding off to sleep but something’s telling you to
keep waking up.
This was the thing that kept everybody going through the hunger strike in trying to live or last out as long
as possible.
I knew death was close but I wasn’t afraid to die - and it wasn’t any sort of courageous or glorious thing.
I think death would have been a release.
You can never feel that way again.
It’s not like tiredness.
It’s an absolute, total, mental and physical exhaustion.
It’s literally like slipping into death.
Laurence McKeown taken off hunger strike by his family on 6 Sept. 1981 on the 70th day.
WHO WAS BOBBY SANDS?
1954 9 Mar. born Rathcoole, predominantly Protestant part of Belfast
1972 Family moves to new Catholic estate because of Protestant intimidation
Joins PIRA
Arrested & imprisoned for 4 years for arms possession
1976 Arrested again after bomb attack on the Balmoral
Furniture Company Dunmurry, followed by a gun-battle
1977 Imprisoned for possession of a revolver from which bullets had been
fired at the police after the bombing
No evidence linking him with bomb attack
1978 PRO for blanket protesters
1979 Publishes short stories and poems in Republican News
under the pen-name ‘Marcella’, his sister’s name
1980 Commandant of IRA in Maze
Negotiates with authorities to no avail
1981 1 Mar. begins hunger strike
9 Apr. elected MP for Fermanagh & South Tyrone
5 May dies on 66th day of hunger strike
7 May 70,000-100,000 attend his funeral
WHY DID SANDS STAND FOR
ELECTION TO WESTMINSTER?
• Great publicity potential
• Fermanagh & South Tyrone was winnable
• Late member an independent, sympathetic to hunger strikers
• Unionist opponent dour Fermanagh farmer
• All other candidates opposed to Unionists withdrew
WHAT WAS THE RESULT OF ELECTION?
• Victory for Bobby Sands
• Turnout
86.9%
• Sands
30,492 votes
• West
29,046 votes
• Majority
1,500 votes
Click on link below for video of BBC report on election*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gq7AR-uDmu0
• Worldwide publicity for Sinn Fein & IRA
WHAT WAS THE REACTION TO HIS DEATH?
British government
Margaret Thatcher, Prime Minister
Mr. Sands was a convicted criminal. He chose to take
his own life. It was a choice that his organisation did
not allow to many of its victims.
Humphrey Atkins, Secretary for State for Northern Ireland
I regret this needless and pointless death.
Nationalist/Catholics
Rosaries & petrol bombs
Click on link below for video of BBC report on reactions in Belfast*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGKppV9S_2k
Funeral of Bobby Sands
JEAN MC CONVILLE
• http://www.herald.ie/news/we-owe-it-to-mcconville-to-reveal-ira-interviews-and-tackle-adams29226032.html
ATTEMPTS AT PEACE
• The Sunningdale Agreement Dec 1973, The Anglo Irish Agreement Nov 1985, The Good Friday
Agreement 1998.
• The Sunningdale Agreement: The Ulster Unionist Party and the SDLP agreed to form a power sharing
government. It included a Council of Ireland which was a body of politicians from the North and South.
It failed after the Ulster's Workers Council organised a massive strike in protest.
• The Anglo Irish Agreement was signed by both the British and Irish governments that agreed to cooperate on security matters. Ian Paisley organised huge ‘Ulster says No’ demonstrations as he was
furious the Irish would have a say in Northern Ireland politics.
• The Good Friday Agreement. Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern-agreed on peace settlement. IRA ceasefire.
The parliament in NI now would consist of members from all parties. More co-operation between north
and south.