Seán Lemass and His Contribution to Irish History
During his seven years as Taoiseach, Seán Lemass' government achieved
much. The years 1959 to 1966 saw considerable, though often
exaggerated, change in Ireland in the fields of politics, the economy,
the standard of living and international relations. This
transformation succeeded in bringing Ireland up to speed with other
nations and helped prepare the country for the modern world. However,
the credit for this change is by no means entirely due to Lemass.
The first thing that changed was the political situation. Without this
change, Lemass would have achieved little. The year 1959 saw the end
to De Valera's presence, which had dominated politics for decades.
With De Valera went other members of the old generation. This enabled
Lemass, as Taoiseach, to bring in a troupe of young people to
ministerial positions. These included Jack Lynch, CJ Haughey, Donogh
O'Malley and Brian Lenihan. This created a flexible cabinet, in total
contrast with conservative Fianna Fáil governments of the past.
However, it is likely that many of the older generation would have
retired anyway due to old age; a similar shift occurred in other
political parties.
The economic improvement is often exaggerated; after the slump in the
fifties, any recovery would be welcome. Significant improvements were
made, but there were also failures. The continuation of high
emigration figures show that these years were not absolute prosperity.
Lemass changed economic policy, which until now had had dismal
failures. Lemass was a realist and saw that it was no longer possible
to blame Britain for Ireland's situation. ...
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...l only on
cold war issues. This confused and superficial plan still has
repercussions today. Lemass government neither created a neutral
policy nor one without constraints. This problem has caused
governments to be indecisive, most recently in response to US planes
landing at Shannon.
Ireland was transformed from 1959 onward. Seán Lemass has often been
given too much credit for this. The developments were largely due to
his team of young, intelligent and resourceful individuals. Most of
the government's successes were due to plans designed by men such as
Whitaker and O'Malley. Also, it could be suggested that change was
inevitable - that Lemass was merely in the right place at the right
time. Despite this, Lemass' enthusiasm and determination piloted this
change and his contribution to Irish history is important.
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First off, it is important to understand the political and social whereabouts of Northern Ireland from 1898 to gage the changes that have been made in policy. Before 1921, the North and South of Ireland were under British rule. When the government of Ireland Act 1920 partitioned the island of Ireland into two separate states, Northern Ireland and Southern Ireland, the North of Ireland remained under British rule while...
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This gentleman is six foot two, short black hair, black eyes, and with no real distinguishing marks. He is heterosexual, African American, and is An Atheist. His name is David, and he is walking home while wearing sweat pants with a ripped up t-shirt that was from home. Some people would consider this gentleman to be poor and have a horrible education with nothing good on his mind. However David is a part-time firefighter, with a part-time job, and also being part time college student. There is a difference between people hardcore supporting their culture or beliefs, compared to individuals who get stereotyped like David for example. In the article, “Sticks and Stones: The Irish Identity”, by Robert McLaim Wilson and published by Grand Street.
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In order to legitimise a regime or cause, traditions may be constructed around historical or mythological events, people or symbols that reinforce the image required to focus people’s conception of the past. People can be encouraged to invent a cohesive view of their shared ‘traditions’ by what could be called cherry picking bits of history.
A is for Arranmore or Aran Island Árainn Mhór, Árainn Uí Dhomhnaill, meaning the 'Aran of the O'Donnells' to distinguish it from the Aran Islands off Galway Bay or the Scottish Isle of Arran , largest inhabited island of the County Donegal and with 7 square miles of land is 2nd of all inhabited Irish islands. It has a permanent population of around 650, summer pop of 1000. Settled in pre-Celtic times, an old fort and several middens-ancient landfills survive as reminders. And 62% of the population is native Irish speakers and the land did not have clean, piped water until mid-1970’s and it only had 47 business telephone lines until 1986 when an automatic switchboard update all for residential service. Fishing was the island’s main source of economy until industry dried up in the 1980’s and now tourism is its chief economic source, although Gaeltacht-intensive Irish speaking-summer schools and newly created call centers and teacher training for Irish teachers have been developed and are helping increase the local economy. The summer influx of young people has given popularity to soccer of the traditional Gaelic games and tourists frequently over-
The role of Michael Joseph O’Rahilly (also known as “The O’Rahilly”) in the Easter Rising of 1916, is not much talked about, and this, in my opinion, makes it all the more fascinating. Many would feel, that he has, in a sense, been ‘written out of history’.
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