Twentieth Century Irish History
Ireland in 1900 was ruled from London and the Union flag flew over all the important public buildings and post-boxes were coloured red! By 1921, this had all changed and an Irish Free State had been created. However, this new State was still a part of the British Commonwealth and some people were unhappy with this. A bloody civil war took place that claimed the lives of many Irish people. During the 1920’s and 1930’s, the Irish State developed economically and politically until a Republic was finally declared in 1949. By the 1960’s, great social and economic changes were taking place and the new Republic became more stable. It was finally accepted as a member of the EEC in the early 1970’s.
Key Points
Some of the key topics to study in this Unit are:
The home rule movement
* Meaning and aims
* Leader in early 1900’s
* Main achievement?
Unionist opposition to home rule
* Who/where
* Reasons for opposition to Home Rule
* Main leaders?
* Methods used to stop Home Rule
The 1916 rising
* Main people involved?
* Planning of the Rising
* Why was the AUD so important?
* What were the key events of the Rising?
* What were the main results/consequences?
* Why did the Home Rule Party lose support?
* Why did the Sinn Fein Party grow strong?
* What was the First Dáil?
The war of independence
* When did it occur?
* What were the tactics used by the Irish Volunteers?
* Who were the main leaders?
* Who were the Black and Tans and the Auxiliaries?
* What happened on Bloody Sunday?
* Why was a truce (end to the fighting) called?
The Anglo-Irish treaty of 1921
* Who signed it?
* What were the main terms
* What was the reaction to it in Ireland?
The Irish civil war
* Why did a civil war break out?
* Who fought who?
* Main events in the civil war?
* Main results?
The Free State Government 1922-1932
* Who were the main Govt. Ministers
* What were the main achievements of this government?
* What were the main problems they had to deal with?
De Valera and the Fianna Fáil party
* When and Why was this Party formed
* When did de Valera and FF first form a government
* What was the “economic war”
* Why were the Blueshirts a threat to de Valera
* What were the main achievements of the de Valera government?
Ireland during WW11
* What policy did the government adopt when war broke out?
* How was Ireland affected by the war?
* Was Ireland a truly neutral country?
The first coalition government 1948-51
* What was the Republic of Ireland Act?
* What were the main achievements of this government?
* What was the “Mother and child scheme”?
Ireland in the 1960’s - the Lemass years
* What were the main problems facing Ireland in the 1950’s?
* What were the major changes that took place in Ireland?
* What important change took place in North-South relations?
Michael Collins
* Born in West Cork in 1890
* Emigrated to London in 1906
* Became a member of the IRB in 1909 in London
* Was one of the first members of branch of Irish Volunteers based in London 1914
* Returned to Ireland - in GPO during Easter Rising - minor role
* Sent to prison camp - Wales - emerges as a leader
* Released from prison Dec. 1916 - begins to re-organise Volunteers
* Elected as Sinn Fein TD in 1918
* Appointed Minister of Finance in first Dáil 1919
* Raises a huge amount of money for Dáil loan - around £350,000
* Was in favour of guerilla warfare in Anglo-Irish war of 1919-21
* Set up a special unit called "the Squad"
* Had a very effective spy-network operating in Dublin in key places
* Most wanted man in Ireland - £10,000 price on his head
* Sent to London by De Valera to negotiate Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921
* Reluctant to go at first - agreed to go after a lot of pressure
* Signed the Treaty on December 6th 1921 - felt it was the best possible deal available
* Defended his decision to sign the Treaty in Dáil debates in Jan. 1922
* Saw Treaty as “a stepping stone” to the Republic
* Became key member of new provisional government
* Made great efforts to prevent outbreak of civil war in Ireland
* Ordered the shelling of the Four Courts in June 1922 - start of civil war
* Became Commander-in-chief of Free State Army
* Went on a military visit to West Cork, August 1922 - ambushed and killed
* His death was a huge loss to the new Irish Free State
Eamon de Valera
Early life up to 1923
* Born USA in 1882
* Sent home to Ireland - raised by grandmother in Limerick
* Studied at Blackrock College, Dublin
* Became Professor of Maths
* Active member of Gaelic league from 1908
* Joined Irish Volunteers 1913 - later joined IRB
* Involved in 1916 Rising - Boland’s Mills - sentenced to death
* Elected as Sinn Fein candidate in East Clare 1917
* Elected President of SF Party 1917 - also President of Volunteers
* 1919 -1st Dáil - de Valera - President - spent many months in USA
* Returned to Ireland 1920
* Held meetings with Lloyd George in summer 1921 after truce
* Sent delegates to London Oct. 1921 to negotiate treaty
* Rejected terms of treaty signed in December 1921
* Special meeting of Dáil cabinet - split - 4 for -3 against
* Special Dáil debate - central role of de Valera - vote in favour of treaty
* De Valera and supporters walk out
* Tours country - strong anti-treaty stance
* Defeat for anti-treaty side in June 1922 elections
* De Valera on anti-treaty IRA side in Civil war
* Realised in 1923 Irregulars could not win - advised them to “dump arms”
* Imprisoned 1923-24 by Cosgrave govt.
Period 1923 - 1932
* Re-elected SF TD after civil war
* Refused to recognise Dáil - refused to accept oath of allegiance
* Proposed that they could enter Dáil if oath removed - split in SF
* New party founded by De Valera - Fianna Fáil - Republican
* 1927 - Electoral Amendment Act - FF enter Dáil - oath an “empty formula”
* FF Party grows stronger - Irish Press founded
* 1932 Election - victory for De Valera and FF Party
Period 1932 - 1948
* FF in government - major political development
* Began to dismantle the 1921 Treaty - oath, office of Governor-General etc
* Refused to pay land annuities - result: “economic war” with Britain
* Took strong action against Blueshirts
* Drew up a new Constitution 1937 - a “Republic in everything but name”
* Supported protectionist policies - more semi-states formed
* Took strong action against IRA
* Signed Anglo-Irish Treaty 1938 - return of treaty Ports - end to economic war
* Adopted policy of neutrality in WWII - cross-party support
* Appointed Lemass to key position - in charge of supplies
* Took strong stance against USA and British pressure
* Major post-war economic problems De Valera defeated in 1948 election
* First Coalition govt. formed - John A. Costello Taoiseach
The final years up to 1959
* De Valera back in govt. in 1950’s
* Major economic and social problems
* Retired as leader of FF and Taoiseach in 1959
* Elected President - died 1975
Sean Lemass
* Born in Dublin
* Took part in 1916 rising and war of Independence
* Great admirer of De Valera and took the anti-treaty side in the civil war
* Was one of the founding members of Fianna Fáil in 1926
* Entered Dáil Eireann for the first time in 1927 - also saw oath as “an empty formula”
* Served as Minister for Industry and Commerce in first FF govt. of 1932
* Adopted a policy of protective tariffs - hoped to make Ireland self-sufficient
* War years - served as Minister for supplies - in charge of rationing, price controls etc.
* Also responsible for creating Irish Shipping during war years
* In 1950’s - Director of organisation for FF Party - task of improving FF votes
* Became Taoiseach and leader of FF in 1959 upon retirement of De Valera
* Very influenced by ideas of T.K.Whitaker - a planned economy - foreign investment
* Major economic success in early 1960’s - emigration down - population increases
* Big increase in number of new factories - 4% annual growth
* Supported idea of Irish troops serving on UN missions e.g. Cyprus, Congo
* Also supported setting up of national TV station - RTE in 1962
* Believed in the need to improve the Irish educational system
* First Irish leader to hold meetings with the PM of N. Ireland
* Very interested in promoting co-operation between North and South in economy, tourism etc.
* Retired from political life in 1966
Review Questions
1. Explain what was meant by Home Rule.
2. What is meant by a Nationalist?
3. Who was the founder of Sinn Fein and what were their aims?
4. What is meant by Unionist?
5. Why were Ulster Unionists so opposed to Home Rule?
6. What was the Ulster Solemn League and Covenant?
7. Why were the UVF set up?
8. What was the Larne gun-running?
9. Why were the Irish Volunteers set up and by whom?
10. What happened to the Irish Volunteers at the start of WWI?
11. Who were the three main organisers of the 1916 rising?
12. Outline the key events of the 1916 Rising.
13. Why was the Easter rising a military fáilure?
14. Why did public opinion towards the Irish Volunteers change after the Easter Rising.
15. Name three political leaders who came to prominence after the 1916 Rising.
16. Which party won the 1918 election and who was the leader?
17. Who were the Black and Tans?
18. What was a “flying column”?
19. Name two Irishmen who signed the Anglo-Irish treaty of 1921.
20. List three important terms of the 1921 treaty.
21. Who led the opposition to the treaty in Ireland?
22. What was the main cause of the Irish civil war?
23. What were some of the main results of the civil war
24. What was the 26 county state called in the 1920’s?
25. Who was the main political leader of the 1920’s and what political party did he belong to?
26. What were some of the main achievements of the government in the 1920’s?
27. What did de Valera do in the 1920’s?
28. Why did Fianna Fáil win the election in 1932?
29. Who were the Blueshirts and what were their aims?
30. What policy did de Valera adopt towards the IRA?
31. What changes did de Valera make to the 1921 Treaty?
32. What were the main parts of the new constitution of de Valera?
33. What was the economic war of the 1930’s?
34. Write about life in Ireland during World War 2.
35. What unique form of government was formed after WWII?
36. What was the main achievement of Noel Browne?
37. What was the Mother and Child scheme and why did it cause controversy?
38. What were the major problems facing Ireland during the 1950’s?
39. Write about the major changes that occurred in the Lemass years (1960’s).
Answers
1. This was a political idea that began in the 1870’s which demanded that Ireland should have a Parliament of it’s own in Dublin. This Parliament would take care of things that directly affected Ireland but the really big decisions on issues such as taxation and defence would still be taken in London.
2. A nationalist is someone who wants Ireland to have independence from Britain. The majority of Nationalists were Catholic.
3. Sinn Fein was founded in the early 1900’s. The leader was Arthur Griffith. He wanted Irish elected representatives to reuse to take their seats in a London Parliament. He wanted them to set up a government in Dublin. He was opposed to any use of violence.
4. A Unionist is someone who wanted Ireland to remain part of the UK. The majority were Protestant and they were strongest in the province of Ulster.
5. Ulster Unionists believed that breaking the link with Britain would result in an economic loss for Ulster. They also believed that “Home Rule is Rome Rule”. By this they meant that they feared that a Parliament in Dublin would be Catholic dominated and would discriminate against Protestants.
6. This was a very serious document signed by a huge number of people in Ulster in which they said NO to Home Rule and pledged to do everything possible to defeat it.
7. This was the Ulster Volunteer Force set up by Edward Carson in 1912 and prepared to use force to defeat Home Rule.
8. This was when the UVF imported a large consignment of guns and ammunition illegally from Germany in early 1914 . The cargo arrived at night into the port of Larne, north of Belfast.
9. They were set up in Dublin in opposition to the UVF by a man called Eoin MacNeill.
10. A split developed in the ranks. A majority heeded the call of the leader of the Irish Home Rule Party, John Redmond, to go and fight on the side of Britain in WWI in order to defend the rights of small nations such as Belgium. However, a small minority totally refused to fight on the side of Britain. They kept the name Irish Volunteers.
11. Patrick Pearse, Sean MacDermott and Thomas Clarke.
12. Easter Rising 1916
* Easter Monday 1916 – rebellion began
* GPO and 6 other buildings captured by Volunteers
* Proclamation of republic read to public
* British caught by surprise
* Huge army reinforcements sent to Dublin
* Volunteers outnumbered 20/1 in 2 days
* British army surround city
* Volunteer positions attacked
* British had superior weaponry
* Gun-boat “Helga” shells the GPO
* Dublin city centre destroyed
* Hundreds killed – British, Volunteers, civilians
* Connolly badly wounded
* Pearse ordered surrender on Saturday
* British arrest over 3000 people
* Over 1800 sent to prison camps in Britain
* Great public anger – destruction – civilian deaths
* Sentenced to death – 15 executed
* Summer 1916 – huge change in public opinion
* Anger over secret trials and executions
* Martial law continued in Dublin
* Dead leaders become heroes within weeks
13. It failed for a number of reasons. Firstly, the rebels were easily surrounded and isolated one by one by the British forces. Also the British had far superior weaponry and outnumbered the rebels by 20 to 1.
14. The main leaders of the Rebellion were executed. This created a huge change in public opinion. Many people began to feel great sympathy for the dead leaders and within a very short time they were being treated as heroes.
15. Eamon de Valera, Michael Collins, Arthur Griffith
16. The Sinn Fein Party won the election. They wanted a fully independent Irish Republic. The leader of the Party was led by Eamon de Valera.
17. They were ex-British soldiers sent to Ireland to defeat the IRA in the War of Independence.
18. These were small units of IRA men who carried out attacks on the police (RIC) and the British forces. They adopted guerrilla warfare tactics. They attacked and disappeared quickly. They had many safe houses to stay in as the majority of people were prepared to hide them.
19. Michael Collins and Arthur Griffith.
20. 26 Counties of Ireland would become an Irish Free State. It would have a Parliament of its own in Dublin but would remain a member of the British Empire. All members of the Irish parliament in Dublin would have to take an oath of loyalty to the King of England.
21. De Valera was angry with the Treaty and led the opposition to it.
22. A major split took place in the IRA. Some stayed loyal to Collins and accepted the Treaty. Others believed that the Treaty was a betrayal and were prepared to renew the fight for a Republic.
23. Ireland became bitterly divided. Michael Collins was killed in an ambush. Massive destruction of property. Hundreds killed on both sides.
24. The Irish Free State.
25. William Cosgrave was the leader of the new government. His political party was called Cumann na Gael.
26. They created a strong police force called the Garda Siochána. They restored law and order and a Courts system. They set up an Irish Civil service. They developed a hydro-electric power station on the Shannon river.
27. De Valera left the Sinn Fein Party. He formed a new Party called Fianna Fáil.
28. De Valera had a very well organised Party. Many of the main members were very well known.
29. They were founded by Eoin O Duffy in 1933. They were formed to protect Cumann na Gael meetings from attacks by the IRA. They were often compared to the followers of Mussolini because of their marches, salutes and uniforms.
30. De Valera became very opposed to the use of any violence by any group. He imprisoned many IRA members and later banned them.
31. He got rid of the oath of loyalty to the King. The representative of the King in Ireland was called the Governor-general and de Valera also abolished that position.
32. The country was to be called Eire. The head of State was to be called a President. The head of government was to be called Taoiseach.
33. This was when the British government imposed tariffs (special high taxes) on Irish goods coming into Britain. They were angry with De Valera because he refused to pay back money owed to Britain. The Irish government then retaliated by placing huge tariffs on British goods entering Ireland. This lasted for a few years. Both economies suffered as a result.
34. War began in SEPTEMBER 1939. Called the “Emergency” in Ireland. Government policy was to be one of neutrality.
* Taoiseach : Eamon de Valera
* Widespread support for the policy - Dáil and public
* Govt. given wide-ranging powers - Emergency powers orders
* Two new Govt. Departments created - e.g. Department of Supplies
* Sean Lemass becomes a key Minister
* Very strict rationing introduced
* Very strict censorship of all newspapers and radio
* Irish Shipping set up to get supplies into Ireland
* Dublin bombed by mistake by Germany in 1941- 34 died
35. This was the very first Coalition Government created in Ireland. All political parties took part except Fianna Fáil.
36. He was the Minister for Health in this first Coalition Government. He is most remembered for the way in which he tackled the problem of TB. Many new hospitals were built and new drugs were paid for to wipe out the disease.
37. This was a proposal of Browne to introduce free medical care for all mothers and children up to the age of 16 years. It was opposed by the Catholic church who said it was too much like a Communist idea.
38. Massive unemployment. Huge emigration to the USA and Britain. The overall population continued to decline.
39. Foreign Companies were encouraged to invest in Ireland. Free Secondary education was introduced for the first time. RTE TV was launched. Special meetings took place for the first time between the political leaders of both the Republic and Northern Ireland. (O’Neill and Lemass)
Wednesday 27 January 2010
Social Change in Ireland in the 20th Century
Social Change in Twentieth Century Ireland
Key Points
In this Question in the J.Cert Exam you are usually asked to write about some of ways in which peoples lives have changed over the past 80-90 years in Ireland. You may be asked to write under some of the following topics:
* Life in rural areas
* Life in the towns and cities
* Transport and Communication
* Role of women in society
* Changes in leisure and pastimes
In order to get high marks in this Question you need to write a well-organised essay and use plenty of factual information. You may also be asked to list some of the sources which you might use in studying the lives of people in Ireland and what you learn from these sources and whether or not you think they are reliable.
In a study of the social changes that have occurred in Ireland over the past 80 years you could mention some of the following as your sources of information.
* Old photograph collections such as the Lawrence Collection which consists of over 40,000 photos and which have been used in various books and also in a TV documentary by RTE called "Shadows of the Past" Other collections of photos are the Eason Collection and thousands of photos taken by a Jesuit priest in the 1920's and 1930's called the Fr. Browne Collection.
* Written sources such as books, old newspapers, plays etc. Some good examples are "Your dinners poured out" by a primary teacher called Paddy Crosbie who taught in Dublin city. Also good sources of information about city life are the plays of Sean O' Casey who was reared in the tenements of Dublin as well as his autobiography. For life in rural Ireland you could mention the book by Alice Taylor called "To school through the fields" which is all about a young girl growing up in Cork in the 1930's and 40's. Another really good example is a book called "Children of the Dead End" by Patrick MacGill which describes his life growing up in west Donegal in the early 1900's. e.g. describes the hiring fair at Strabane each May.
* Another valuable source of information are the many stories from our grandparents about life when they were growing up whether it was in the city or the countryside. This is called oral history.
* Other sources of information are visits to heritage centres and places such as the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum
Role of Women
Early 1900's
* Women had very few rights
* Often treated as second class citizens
* Most women only went to primary school
* Only a small % went to second or third level
* Very few women had careers outside the home
* Women expected to stay at home and rear children
* Many women married young - large families common
* Women trained to be nurses, teachers or joined civil service
* Women not allowed to vote in general elections
* Minority of women began to demand equality - called the Suffragettes
* Finally got right to vote 1918
* First women elected MP was from Ireland - Countess Markievitz
* In rural areas women had a very important role
* Often sold eggs, did knitting, packed fish to make extra money
* In cities women also worked in factories and as domestic servants
* Women were often the sole wage earner in the family
* Women nearly always paid less than men for the same work
Changes
* Women’s Rights Movement spread to Ireland in 1960’s
* Women began to demand greater equality
* Free education arrived in 1960’s
* Girls had option to do science subjects for first time
* Large number of women go on to 3rd level education from 1970’s on
* Women no longer have to give up their jobs in civil service when they marry
* Women are entitled to equal pay as men
* Employment Equality Agency set up 1977
* Ensures there’s no discrimination against women in work
* Still very few women on Boards of Telecom, FAS, I.D.A., Banks, Civil service
* More women entering politics for first time
* First woman leader of an Irish political party in 1990’s
* First woman President in 1990, Mary Robinson, Mary MacAleese in 1997
* Women also prominent in world of sport in 1990’s
Urban Life
Early 1900's
* Poorest people had very bad housing called tenements
* Nearly 30% of Dublin population
* One family often lived in a single room
* Tenements were often dirty, noisy, unsafe and overcrowded
* 7-8 families often shared one outside toilet and cold-water tap
* No heating, lighting or inside toilets
* Nearly 25% of babies died from disease and poor diet
* The worst disease was T.B. which killed adults and children
* Majority of men were unskilled labourers
* Many worked on the docks but only on a casual basis
* Many women also worked as domestic servants or in factories like Jacob's in Dublin
* Skilled workers and Guinness workers had better housing
* Middle-class lived in the suburbs such as Rathmines
* Trams were most common form of transport
* Boundary of city of Dublin was North Circular Rd and South Circular Rd
* Population around 250,000
Changes
* Tenements have all been demolished
* People moved into Corporation flats and to new estates such as Crumlin, Ballyfermot
* Huge housing development of Ballymun in 1960’s - copied UK and USA
* Unions and social welfare system have improved the quality of people's lives
* Suburbs of Dublin have grown rapidly eg. Tallaght - over 100,000 people
* Large number of people moved to city from countryside since 1960's - new jobs
* Still have problems in inner-city areas esp. unemployment
* Also a growing problem of crime and drug abuse in many cities
* Many large new shopping centres and cinemas built
* 1st shopping centre opened 1967 in Stillorgan
* Urban renewal schemes very important in late 1980’s eg. Temple Bar
* Huge increase in number of apartments built
* Boundary of Dublin city continues to expand
* Problems are lack of amenities in some areas esp. for young
* Also a growing problem of waste disposal as cities grow
* Problem of transport congestion
* Air pollution also problem in modern city
Rural Life
Early 1900's
* Most people lived in countryside
* Many people were poor
* Many were seasonal migrants to Scotland or England
* Many forced to emigrate to USA or UK
* Lived in small, thatched 3-roomed cottages
* Kitchen was main room - open hearth fire
* Very little furniture - wooden tables, chairs and dresser
* Lighting was either oil lamps or candles
* Main fuel was turf or wood
* Cooking done on open fire - iron pots and pans
* No piped water supply - relied on pump or a well
* More prosperous farmers lived in 2 storey houses with slate roofs
* Work was done mainly by hand or with horses
* Women played a very important role
* Cooking, churning, ironing, looking after children and elderly relatives
* Helped at harvest, gathered seaweed
Changes
* More modern bungalows were built
* Many houses built by local county councils
* Nearly all houses had running water, bathrooms etc.
* Electricity brought everywhere in 1950's
* ESB set up to do this
* More electrical equipment in houses and on farm
* Life made somewhat easier for women
* Very little work done by hand or by horse
* Large scale use of machinery and tractors
* Farming became more efficient
* Large co-ops formed in rural areas
* Aid from EU to rural areas very important in period after 1973
* Also a decline in number of small farms
* Major move from rural to urban areas
* Rural depopulation and isolation a big issue in 1990’s
Transport and Communications
Early 1900's
* Walking the number 1 form of transport
* Bicycles became popular for first time
* Horse-drawn transport also widely used to transport goods and people
* Wealthy had own carriages in rural and urban areas
* Electric trams widely used in cities e.g. Dublin
* Large network of railroads all over Ireland - most built in 1890’s
* Cheap means of travel all over Ireland
* Many people went on day-trips to the sea
* Very few people could afford holidays
* Very few motor-cars.. 1st one imported into Ireland in 1899 by a Dublin doctor
* 1904 - 38 cars in Dublin
* Only the very rich could afford cars - cost around £400
* Break down was expensive to repair
* Travel abroad : steamship the only option
* Steamships left from Dublin, Cork, Belfast
* Could cross Atlantic in 5-8 days
* Most communication via telegram or by letter
* Very few phones available
Changes
* Cars began to be mass produced around 1910
* Cars became more affordable e.g. Model T Ford 1908
* More and more ordinary people could afford cars
* Petrol stations opened for first time
* Buses and lorries became common on roads
* CIE set up in 1940's...buses and trains
* Aer Lingus set up in 1930's
* First trans-Atlantic flights to USA were by flying-boats in 1937
* Airports built at Shannon, Dublin and Cork
* Shannon Airport was first in world to have a duty-free zone
* Many new smaller airports built in recent years
* Huge increase in number of private cars in 1960's
* Many new and improved roads built
* Huge amount of money comes from EU funds
* Problem of traffic congestion and air pollution in 1990’s
* Communications have improved dramatically
* Phones became more common in 1960’s
* 1990’s - mobile phones, Internet, e-mail and satellite
Key Points
In this Question in the J.Cert Exam you are usually asked to write about some of ways in which peoples lives have changed over the past 80-90 years in Ireland. You may be asked to write under some of the following topics:
* Life in rural areas
* Life in the towns and cities
* Transport and Communication
* Role of women in society
* Changes in leisure and pastimes
In order to get high marks in this Question you need to write a well-organised essay and use plenty of factual information. You may also be asked to list some of the sources which you might use in studying the lives of people in Ireland and what you learn from these sources and whether or not you think they are reliable.
In a study of the social changes that have occurred in Ireland over the past 80 years you could mention some of the following as your sources of information.
* Old photograph collections such as the Lawrence Collection which consists of over 40,000 photos and which have been used in various books and also in a TV documentary by RTE called "Shadows of the Past" Other collections of photos are the Eason Collection and thousands of photos taken by a Jesuit priest in the 1920's and 1930's called the Fr. Browne Collection.
* Written sources such as books, old newspapers, plays etc. Some good examples are "Your dinners poured out" by a primary teacher called Paddy Crosbie who taught in Dublin city. Also good sources of information about city life are the plays of Sean O' Casey who was reared in the tenements of Dublin as well as his autobiography. For life in rural Ireland you could mention the book by Alice Taylor called "To school through the fields" which is all about a young girl growing up in Cork in the 1930's and 40's. Another really good example is a book called "Children of the Dead End" by Patrick MacGill which describes his life growing up in west Donegal in the early 1900's. e.g. describes the hiring fair at Strabane each May.
* Another valuable source of information are the many stories from our grandparents about life when they were growing up whether it was in the city or the countryside. This is called oral history.
* Other sources of information are visits to heritage centres and places such as the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum
Role of Women
Early 1900's
* Women had very few rights
* Often treated as second class citizens
* Most women only went to primary school
* Only a small % went to second or third level
* Very few women had careers outside the home
* Women expected to stay at home and rear children
* Many women married young - large families common
* Women trained to be nurses, teachers or joined civil service
* Women not allowed to vote in general elections
* Minority of women began to demand equality - called the Suffragettes
* Finally got right to vote 1918
* First women elected MP was from Ireland - Countess Markievitz
* In rural areas women had a very important role
* Often sold eggs, did knitting, packed fish to make extra money
* In cities women also worked in factories and as domestic servants
* Women were often the sole wage earner in the family
* Women nearly always paid less than men for the same work
Changes
* Women’s Rights Movement spread to Ireland in 1960’s
* Women began to demand greater equality
* Free education arrived in 1960’s
* Girls had option to do science subjects for first time
* Large number of women go on to 3rd level education from 1970’s on
* Women no longer have to give up their jobs in civil service when they marry
* Women are entitled to equal pay as men
* Employment Equality Agency set up 1977
* Ensures there’s no discrimination against women in work
* Still very few women on Boards of Telecom, FAS, I.D.A., Banks, Civil service
* More women entering politics for first time
* First woman leader of an Irish political party in 1990’s
* First woman President in 1990, Mary Robinson, Mary MacAleese in 1997
* Women also prominent in world of sport in 1990’s
Urban Life
Early 1900's
* Poorest people had very bad housing called tenements
* Nearly 30% of Dublin population
* One family often lived in a single room
* Tenements were often dirty, noisy, unsafe and overcrowded
* 7-8 families often shared one outside toilet and cold-water tap
* No heating, lighting or inside toilets
* Nearly 25% of babies died from disease and poor diet
* The worst disease was T.B. which killed adults and children
* Majority of men were unskilled labourers
* Many worked on the docks but only on a casual basis
* Many women also worked as domestic servants or in factories like Jacob's in Dublin
* Skilled workers and Guinness workers had better housing
* Middle-class lived in the suburbs such as Rathmines
* Trams were most common form of transport
* Boundary of city of Dublin was North Circular Rd and South Circular Rd
* Population around 250,000
Changes
* Tenements have all been demolished
* People moved into Corporation flats and to new estates such as Crumlin, Ballyfermot
* Huge housing development of Ballymun in 1960’s - copied UK and USA
* Unions and social welfare system have improved the quality of people's lives
* Suburbs of Dublin have grown rapidly eg. Tallaght - over 100,000 people
* Large number of people moved to city from countryside since 1960's - new jobs
* Still have problems in inner-city areas esp. unemployment
* Also a growing problem of crime and drug abuse in many cities
* Many large new shopping centres and cinemas built
* 1st shopping centre opened 1967 in Stillorgan
* Urban renewal schemes very important in late 1980’s eg. Temple Bar
* Huge increase in number of apartments built
* Boundary of Dublin city continues to expand
* Problems are lack of amenities in some areas esp. for young
* Also a growing problem of waste disposal as cities grow
* Problem of transport congestion
* Air pollution also problem in modern city
Rural Life
Early 1900's
* Most people lived in countryside
* Many people were poor
* Many were seasonal migrants to Scotland or England
* Many forced to emigrate to USA or UK
* Lived in small, thatched 3-roomed cottages
* Kitchen was main room - open hearth fire
* Very little furniture - wooden tables, chairs and dresser
* Lighting was either oil lamps or candles
* Main fuel was turf or wood
* Cooking done on open fire - iron pots and pans
* No piped water supply - relied on pump or a well
* More prosperous farmers lived in 2 storey houses with slate roofs
* Work was done mainly by hand or with horses
* Women played a very important role
* Cooking, churning, ironing, looking after children and elderly relatives
* Helped at harvest, gathered seaweed
Changes
* More modern bungalows were built
* Many houses built by local county councils
* Nearly all houses had running water, bathrooms etc.
* Electricity brought everywhere in 1950's
* ESB set up to do this
* More electrical equipment in houses and on farm
* Life made somewhat easier for women
* Very little work done by hand or by horse
* Large scale use of machinery and tractors
* Farming became more efficient
* Large co-ops formed in rural areas
* Aid from EU to rural areas very important in period after 1973
* Also a decline in number of small farms
* Major move from rural to urban areas
* Rural depopulation and isolation a big issue in 1990’s
Transport and Communications
Early 1900's
* Walking the number 1 form of transport
* Bicycles became popular for first time
* Horse-drawn transport also widely used to transport goods and people
* Wealthy had own carriages in rural and urban areas
* Electric trams widely used in cities e.g. Dublin
* Large network of railroads all over Ireland - most built in 1890’s
* Cheap means of travel all over Ireland
* Many people went on day-trips to the sea
* Very few people could afford holidays
* Very few motor-cars.. 1st one imported into Ireland in 1899 by a Dublin doctor
* 1904 - 38 cars in Dublin
* Only the very rich could afford cars - cost around £400
* Break down was expensive to repair
* Travel abroad : steamship the only option
* Steamships left from Dublin, Cork, Belfast
* Could cross Atlantic in 5-8 days
* Most communication via telegram or by letter
* Very few phones available
Changes
* Cars began to be mass produced around 1910
* Cars became more affordable e.g. Model T Ford 1908
* More and more ordinary people could afford cars
* Petrol stations opened for first time
* Buses and lorries became common on roads
* CIE set up in 1940's...buses and trains
* Aer Lingus set up in 1930's
* First trans-Atlantic flights to USA were by flying-boats in 1937
* Airports built at Shannon, Dublin and Cork
* Shannon Airport was first in world to have a duty-free zone
* Many new smaller airports built in recent years
* Huge increase in number of private cars in 1960's
* Many new and improved roads built
* Huge amount of money comes from EU funds
* Problem of traffic congestion and air pollution in 1990’s
* Communications have improved dramatically
* Phones became more common in 1960’s
* 1990’s - mobile phones, Internet, e-mail and satellite
The Plantations in Ireland - Some tips on what's required.
The Plantations in Ireland
Key Points
During the 1500’s and 1600’s the English government began to put into action a new policy in Ireland. England at that time had many enemies in Europe, especially France and Spain. Both these countries were Catholic and Ireland was also nearly totally Catholic. England feared that her enemies might use Catholic Ireland as a base to attack England. Something had to be done to prevent this. Various methods were tried but eventually, a policy known as Plantation was adopted. The aim of this was to plant people in Ireland who would be loyal and trustworthy. The Plantation of Ulster proved to be the one that was most successful. We shall concentrate on the Ulster plantation in this Unit. However, it is important to study all the topics listed below.
Learning Objectives:
In this section you are expected to know:
*
Why did England adopt a policy of Plantation?
*
What happened during the Munster Plantation?
*
What happened during the Ulster Plantation?
*
What were the main results of the Ulster plantation?
*
What happened during the Cromwell Plantation?
A person who came to Ireland during the Ulster Plantation
Your name is John Stewart
*
You were born in Scotland
*
You are a member of the Presbyterian Church
*
You are very loyal to your King
*
You came to live in Ulster in 1622
How you received the land
*
You are called a Servitor
*
You used to be an soldier in the King’s army
*
You are owed money by the King for your services
*
Given a 1000 acre estate in Count Fermanagh as payment
Rules you had to follow
*
Had to pay a rent of £8 per year
*
You had to build a house of stone
*
Had to surround house with a bawn (stone wall)
*
You could then rent parts of your land
*
You were allowed some Irish tenants
Your new home in Ulster
*
Build a large 2-storey stone and timber house
*
Roof made of slate,
*
Chimney built of red brick
*
Very different from houses of native Irish
You farming methods
*
You did not raise cattle like the Irish
*
You began to grow lots of crops
*
Introduced a new crop called the potato to the area
*
You cleared large areas of forest and drained land
*
Built lots of fences and ditches around fields
Your local town
*
Lots of new people have settled there
*
Many different craftsmen live there
*
Town was specially planned
*
Has wide, straight streets
*
Has a central Square and important buildings
*
Court House, Market House and Presbyterian Church
*
Markets are held in the town every Friday
Your fears
*
Feel that native Irish people really resent you
*
Many are angry over loss of their lands
*
Some of your friends have been attacked
*
You too are afraid - keep loaded muskets in house
*
Happy that English system of justice has been set up
Review Questions
1. Why did the English King and government wish to establish plantations in Ireland
2. Explain what was meant by “The Pale”
3. Name two powerful native Irish families in the 1500’s
4. What was the very first plantation in Ireland and what was the main result?
5. What happened during the Plantation of Munster?
6. How did a large part of Ulster become available for Plantation?
7. What was the “Flight of the Earls”?
8. How was the Plantation of Ulster organised?
9. Name the Ulster Counties that were to be planted?
10. Which English King was responsible for the plantation of Ulster?
11. Explain what was meant by the term “Undertaker” during the Ulster Plantation
12. Explain what a “Servitor” was
13. Where did most of the new settlers in Ulster come from?
14. What was the main religion of a majority of the new settlers?
15. How did Londonderry get that name?
16. Name three new towns built in the 1600’s
17. How were the new towns different than older Irish towns?
18. What happened to the native Irish people as a result of the Ulster Plantation?
19. Why was the Ulster Plantation the most successful?
20. What were some of the main results of the Ulster Plantation?
Answers
1. They wanted to have people in control of Ireland that they could trust to be loyal to England. These new loyal settlers would be Protestant and would introduce English laws and the English language.
2. This was the area around and including Dublin which was the only part of Ireland in the year 1500 that was under English control.
3. The O’Neill’s and the O’Donnells.
4. This was in Laois and Offaly. They were called King’s county and Queen’s County. Two-thirds of the land was to be re-settled with people from England. However the plantation was a failure because no settlers came from England and only eighty planters who were Englishmen born in Ireland actually came. This number proved to be too small.
5. The Earl of Desmond who owned most of Munster had just been defeated in a war. He was punished by the loss of his lands. The land was surveyed and mapped. It was divided into 36 estates. These estates were then to be given at low rents to people from England. However not enough people came and there was war between the Irish and the new settlers.
6. The two most powerful Gaelic chiefs, O’Neill and O’Donnell fled from Ireland which meant that a large part of Ulster was without strong leadership. The English King saw this as a good opportunity and he seized their lands and made plans to place new loyal settlers in Ulster.
7. This was when O’Neill and O’Donnell fled from Lough Swilly in Ulster to Europe in the year 1607.
8. The land was to be divided among three main groups: Undertakers, Servitors and Deserving Irish.
9. Derry, Donegal, Fermanagh, Tyrone, Cavan and Armagh.
10. King James I of England.
11. Undertakers were planters who were given very large Estates by the King. They had to take over at least TEN families. They were not allowed any Irish tenants. They had to build a stone castle with a barn.
12. Servitors were former soldiers in the English army who were owed money. They were also given land in Ulster.
13. Most came from the Lowlands of Scotland.
14. Majority were members of the Presbyterian church.
15. The city of Londonderry which was renamed after London merchants came to settle there.
16. Draperstown, Coleraine and Strabane.
17. These new towns such as Draperstown were carefully planned. They had a central Square or Diamond such as in Donegal Town today. The streets were wide and straight. All the main buildings were in the central area and included a Courthouse, a Jail, a Market house and a Protestant Church.
18. Many had their land confiscated from them and it was given to the new settlers. Some of the native-Irish became tenants on the estates of the new settlers from Scotland and England. However, others were forced to move away and they often led attacks on the new settlers.
19. Because more people from England and Scotland did come and they stayed. It also helped of course that Ulster was close physically to Scotland. Also a greater mixture of people came, farmers, tradesmen, former soldiers, ministers of religion etc.
20. Large numbers of people from Scotland and England moved to live in Ulster.
*
Around 40,000 people came
*
All were Protestants
*
Most Scottish were Presbyterian
*
Most English were Anglican
*
Planters brought new farming methods
*
Cleared many forest
*
Grew huge amount of crops
*
Flax grown for first time
*
Potatoes grown for first time
*
Over 20 new towns created
*
Towns were carefully planned
*
Donegal town and Enniskillen good examples
*
Each town had a church, courthouse, townhall
*
New and better roads built
*
Great bitterness created between settlers and Irish
Key Points
During the 1500’s and 1600’s the English government began to put into action a new policy in Ireland. England at that time had many enemies in Europe, especially France and Spain. Both these countries were Catholic and Ireland was also nearly totally Catholic. England feared that her enemies might use Catholic Ireland as a base to attack England. Something had to be done to prevent this. Various methods were tried but eventually, a policy known as Plantation was adopted. The aim of this was to plant people in Ireland who would be loyal and trustworthy. The Plantation of Ulster proved to be the one that was most successful. We shall concentrate on the Ulster plantation in this Unit. However, it is important to study all the topics listed below.
Learning Objectives:
In this section you are expected to know:
*
Why did England adopt a policy of Plantation?
*
What happened during the Munster Plantation?
*
What happened during the Ulster Plantation?
*
What were the main results of the Ulster plantation?
*
What happened during the Cromwell Plantation?
A person who came to Ireland during the Ulster Plantation
Your name is John Stewart
*
You were born in Scotland
*
You are a member of the Presbyterian Church
*
You are very loyal to your King
*
You came to live in Ulster in 1622
How you received the land
*
You are called a Servitor
*
You used to be an soldier in the King’s army
*
You are owed money by the King for your services
*
Given a 1000 acre estate in Count Fermanagh as payment
Rules you had to follow
*
Had to pay a rent of £8 per year
*
You had to build a house of stone
*
Had to surround house with a bawn (stone wall)
*
You could then rent parts of your land
*
You were allowed some Irish tenants
Your new home in Ulster
*
Build a large 2-storey stone and timber house
*
Roof made of slate,
*
Chimney built of red brick
*
Very different from houses of native Irish
You farming methods
*
You did not raise cattle like the Irish
*
You began to grow lots of crops
*
Introduced a new crop called the potato to the area
*
You cleared large areas of forest and drained land
*
Built lots of fences and ditches around fields
Your local town
*
Lots of new people have settled there
*
Many different craftsmen live there
*
Town was specially planned
*
Has wide, straight streets
*
Has a central Square and important buildings
*
Court House, Market House and Presbyterian Church
*
Markets are held in the town every Friday
Your fears
*
Feel that native Irish people really resent you
*
Many are angry over loss of their lands
*
Some of your friends have been attacked
*
You too are afraid - keep loaded muskets in house
*
Happy that English system of justice has been set up
Review Questions
1. Why did the English King and government wish to establish plantations in Ireland
2. Explain what was meant by “The Pale”
3. Name two powerful native Irish families in the 1500’s
4. What was the very first plantation in Ireland and what was the main result?
5. What happened during the Plantation of Munster?
6. How did a large part of Ulster become available for Plantation?
7. What was the “Flight of the Earls”?
8. How was the Plantation of Ulster organised?
9. Name the Ulster Counties that were to be planted?
10. Which English King was responsible for the plantation of Ulster?
11. Explain what was meant by the term “Undertaker” during the Ulster Plantation
12. Explain what a “Servitor” was
13. Where did most of the new settlers in Ulster come from?
14. What was the main religion of a majority of the new settlers?
15. How did Londonderry get that name?
16. Name three new towns built in the 1600’s
17. How were the new towns different than older Irish towns?
18. What happened to the native Irish people as a result of the Ulster Plantation?
19. Why was the Ulster Plantation the most successful?
20. What were some of the main results of the Ulster Plantation?
Answers
1. They wanted to have people in control of Ireland that they could trust to be loyal to England. These new loyal settlers would be Protestant and would introduce English laws and the English language.
2. This was the area around and including Dublin which was the only part of Ireland in the year 1500 that was under English control.
3. The O’Neill’s and the O’Donnells.
4. This was in Laois and Offaly. They were called King’s county and Queen’s County. Two-thirds of the land was to be re-settled with people from England. However the plantation was a failure because no settlers came from England and only eighty planters who were Englishmen born in Ireland actually came. This number proved to be too small.
5. The Earl of Desmond who owned most of Munster had just been defeated in a war. He was punished by the loss of his lands. The land was surveyed and mapped. It was divided into 36 estates. These estates were then to be given at low rents to people from England. However not enough people came and there was war between the Irish and the new settlers.
6. The two most powerful Gaelic chiefs, O’Neill and O’Donnell fled from Ireland which meant that a large part of Ulster was without strong leadership. The English King saw this as a good opportunity and he seized their lands and made plans to place new loyal settlers in Ulster.
7. This was when O’Neill and O’Donnell fled from Lough Swilly in Ulster to Europe in the year 1607.
8. The land was to be divided among three main groups: Undertakers, Servitors and Deserving Irish.
9. Derry, Donegal, Fermanagh, Tyrone, Cavan and Armagh.
10. King James I of England.
11. Undertakers were planters who were given very large Estates by the King. They had to take over at least TEN families. They were not allowed any Irish tenants. They had to build a stone castle with a barn.
12. Servitors were former soldiers in the English army who were owed money. They were also given land in Ulster.
13. Most came from the Lowlands of Scotland.
14. Majority were members of the Presbyterian church.
15. The city of Londonderry which was renamed after London merchants came to settle there.
16. Draperstown, Coleraine and Strabane.
17. These new towns such as Draperstown were carefully planned. They had a central Square or Diamond such as in Donegal Town today. The streets were wide and straight. All the main buildings were in the central area and included a Courthouse, a Jail, a Market house and a Protestant Church.
18. Many had their land confiscated from them and it was given to the new settlers. Some of the native-Irish became tenants on the estates of the new settlers from Scotland and England. However, others were forced to move away and they often led attacks on the new settlers.
19. Because more people from England and Scotland did come and they stayed. It also helped of course that Ulster was close physically to Scotland. Also a greater mixture of people came, farmers, tradesmen, former soldiers, ministers of religion etc.
20. Large numbers of people from Scotland and England moved to live in Ulster.
*
Around 40,000 people came
*
All were Protestants
*
Most Scottish were Presbyterian
*
Most English were Anglican
*
Planters brought new farming methods
*
Cleared many forest
*
Grew huge amount of crops
*
Flax grown for first time
*
Potatoes grown for first time
*
Over 20 new towns created
*
Towns were carefully planned
*
Donegal town and Enniskillen good examples
*
Each town had a church, courthouse, townhall
*
New and better roads built
*
Great bitterness created between settlers and Irish
Tuesday 26 January 2010
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