1920 - 1930

News

 

1921 - A treaty is signed between the Irish rebels and the British government allowing for the establishment of an Irish Free State. However, this covers twenty six of the thirty two counties only, the remaining six are to remain within the U.K. A dispute arises over this and Civil War breaks out between the opposing sides. There is much bloodshed and destruction in the Civil War which lasts until 1923.

With the end of the Civil War, peace is restored and rebuilding begins. Dail Eireann, the Irish Parliament, meets at Leinster House and makes laws for the new state.

1929 - The Wall Street Crash in America. Shares lose their value. Many people become poor because of this.

The first population census for the Irish Free State shows a further decline in the population to 2,972,000. This covers twenty six of the thirty two counties of Ireland.

O' Connell Street 1925

Talking Points

There are large crowds on O Connell Street - What might they be celebrating?
What is so special about the flags flying from buildings?
What, in your opinion, happened to the dome-shaped building visible in the 1900 photograph of O Connell Street?
Tram No. 9 is carrying an advertisement for what?
A new form of transport is now evident - what is it?

 

Home Life

Saor Stat Eireann, the Irish Free State, begins the process of rebuilding roads and bridges destroyed in the fighting. New coins and postage stamps are issued. All post boxes are now painted green. Irish is taught in all schools. An Garda Siochana is established as an unarmed police force.

1927 - Work begins on a project to use the River Shannon to generate electricity . The hydro-electric scheme at Ardnacrusha near Killaloe will involve the building of a huge dam. This will create an artificial lake and the power of this water will turn huge turbines and generate electricity. This hydro-electric scheme is one of the biggest construction projects of its time and thousands of people are employed in building it. Homes do not have electricity and most people still rely on oil lamps for lighting.

 

Achievements and Discoveries

1922 - Howard Carter discovers the tomb of Tutankhamen in Luxor, Egypt.

1926 - John Logie Baird gives the first public demonstration of how television works in England. However, it will be many years before there are any television stations!

1927 - In his aeroplane The Spirit of St. Louis Charles Lindbergh flies non-stop from New York to Paris. The journey takes 33 hours 30 minutes!

1928 - Sir Alexander Fleming discovers penicillin, a substance which fights infection and kills bacteria in people who are sick. This discovery will save millions of lives.

 

Sport

1924 - The 8th Olympic Games are held in Paris. The star of the games is Paavo Nurmi of Finland who wins gold in the 1,500m, the 5,000m, the 3,000m relay race and the 10,000m.

1926 - The All-Ireland Hurling Semi-Final is broadcast on radio. This is the first broadcast of a match in Ireland.

1926 - Gertrude Ederle (USA) sets a new record when she becomes the first woman to swim the 56 km English Channel in 14 hours 31 mins.

1928 - The Olympic Games take place in Amsterdam. Women are allowed to participate in track and field events for the first time.

 

Fashion and Entertainment

1926 - Ireland's first radio station - 2 RN - goes on air. The first broadcast lasts for 3 hours. Because all early broadcasts are 'live' station Director, Seamus Clandillon is frequently called on to sing a song whenever there is a gap in the schedule!

1927 - "The Jazzman", the first talking film, is screened in America and soon afterwards 'Talkies' become all the rage! In America, this decade is known as 'The Roaring Twenties'.

There is greater participation by women in sports - this prompts new fashion styles with less formal clothes.

 

Links

Learn more about.....

Howard Carter and Tutankhamen www.guardians.net/eqypt/tut1.htm

2 RN www.rte.ie/radiohistory/index_f.html

ESB www.esb.ie/main/about_esb/history.jsp