Ireland's History 1950 AD - 1959 AD
1950 AD: Noel Browne proposes the Mother and Child Scheme, Catholic bishops voice their disquiet in a letter to the Taoiseach. The Irish and Northern Irish governments co-operate to establish the Erne Drainage and Electrification Scheme. The Irish Development Authority (IDA) is founded to promote industrial growth. The first turf-run power station opens in Portarlington. In the Tilson Case, the Irish Supreme Court upholds the Catholic position on mixed marriage by ruling that parents have equal rights in deciding their child's religion, and prenuptial agreements have legal force. The All Ireland champions are Tipperary (hurling) and Mayo (football). The deaths of James Stephens (born 1882), writer, and George Bernard Shaw (born 1856), who leaves a large sum to the National Gallery of Ireland. Clive Staples Lewis (C.S. Lewis) publishes, "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe".
1951 AD: Census figures show that the Republic of Ireland population stands at 2,961,000. Roman Catholic bishops condemn the Mother and Child Scheme. It is abandoned and Noel Browne resigns. After the general election in the Republic of Ireland, Fianna Fail forms a new governent under De Valera. Coras Trachtala (the Irish Export Board) is established. The Republic of Ireland Arts Council is set up. The Abbey Theatre, Dublin, is destroyed by fire. The Rev Ian Paisley forms the Free Presbyterian Church. Professor E. Walton of Trinity College, Dublin, shares the Nobel Prize for Physics. The All Ireland champions are Tipperary (hurling) and Mayo (football). C.S. Lewis publishes, "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian".
1952 AD: Sean T. O'Kelly begins his second term as President. Legal adoption is introduced in the Republic of Ireland, the laws include clauses that prevent couples adopting children of a different religion and forbid couples in mixed marriages to adopt at all. The Bord Failte is established to encourage tourism in the Republic of Ireland. The Irish Management Institution is founded in Dublin. John Ford films "The Quiet Man" in Mayo. The All Ireland champions are Cork (hurling) and Cavan (football). C.S. Lewis publishes, "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader".
1953 AD: Liam Kelly founds Fianna Uladh. The "Princess Victoria" ferry disaster claims 128 lives on the Stranraer-Larne route (January). Radio Eireann inaugurates the annual Thomas Davis lectures on Irish history and culture. Gael-Linn is established to help revive spoken Irish. The Irish government bans newsreel films of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. The Chester Beatty Library opens in Ballsbridge, Dublin, comprising a collection of oriental and early manuscripts. The Busarus Building, Dublin, is completed (architect, Michael Scott). Samuel Beckett stages "Waiting for Godot". The All Ireland champions are Cork (hurling) and Kerry (football). The death of Maud Gonne MacBride (born 1865). C.S. Lewis publishes, "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Silver Chair".
1954 AD: In the general election in the Republic of Ireland, the Fine Gael and Labour coalition led by John T. Cosgrave ousts De Valera and Fianna Fail. The flying of the Irish tricolour is effectively banned by the Northern Ireland Parliament. Liam Lynch founds Saor Uladh in County Tyrone. Michael Manning becomes the last man to be hanged in the Republic of Ireland. The first appearance of myxamatosis, over the next decade, it almost wipes out Ireland's rabbit population. The National Stud buys the horse, Tulyar, for 200,000 pounds, a world record at the time. Brendan Behan stages "The Quare Fellow". Christy Brown publishes "My Left Foot". The All Ireland champions are Cork (hurling) and Meath (football). C.S. Lewis publishes, "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Horse and His Boy".
1955 AD: Ireland joins the United Nations. A fire destroys Cork Opera House. The first motorcars arrive on the Aran Islands. Brian Moore publishes "The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne". Christy O'Connor makes the first of ten successive appearances in the Ryder Cup golf competition (last appearance 1973). The All Ireland champions are Wexford (hurling) and Kerry (football). The death of Evie Hone (born 1894), artist. C.S. Lewis publishes, "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Magician's Nephew".
1956 AD: Republic of Ireland census: 2,818,000. The Republic of Ireland gives persons born in Northern Ireland after 1922 citizenship rights. The IRA begins a new campaign of attacks in Northern Ireland. The first of the annual Cork Film Festivals is held. Ronnie Delaney wins a gold medal in the 1,500 metres at the Melbourne Olympics. The All Ireland champions are Wexford (hurling) and Galway (football). C.S. Lewis publishes, "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Last Battle".
1957 AD: De Valera and Fianna Fail are returned to power in the general election in the Republic of Ireland. Gaeltarra Eireann is founded to encourage the commercial and industrial growth of designated Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking) areas. At the first Dublin Theatre Festival, the staging of Tennessee Williams' "The Rose Tattoo" causes controversy. The All Ireland champions are Kilkenny (hurling) and Louth (football). The deaths of Oliver St. John Gogarty (born 1878), writer, and Jack B. Yeats (born 1871), artist.
1958 AD: The first Irish army soldiers serve in a United Nations peace-keeping mission as observers in the Lebanon. The Industrial Development Act encourages foreign investment in the Republic of Ireland. Restrictions on outside ownership of industrial concerns are lifted. Aer Lingus begins passenger services to the United States (April). The Ardmore Film Studio opens near Bray, County Wicklow. The All Ireland champions are Tipperary (hurling) and Dublin (football). The deaths of Paul Henry (born 1876), artist, and Lennox Robinson (born 1886), dramatist.
1959 AD: Eamon de Valera is elected the third President of the Republic of Ireland. Sean Lemass, Minister of Industry and Commerce, is appointed Taoiseach. The CIU and ITUC union confederations reunify into the Irish Congress of Trade Unions. The British and Irish governments reach a compromise on the disputed pictures in the Hugh Lane collection. Sean Riada composes the score for the film "Mise Eire". John B. Keane stages "Sive". The All Ireland champions are Waterford (hurling) and Kerry (football).
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