Ballina Street Scene, 1946 (Mayo Co.)
Bord Fáilte photograph from 1946 of one of the main streets in Ballina. Compared to an earlier photograph from 1900, the most noticeable features are the cars and the absence of horse-drawn transport.
Courtesy Fáilte IrelandCourtesy Fáilte Ireland
Ballina Street Scene, 1946 (Mayo Co.)
Bord Fáilte photograph from 1946 of one of the main streets in Ballina. Compared to an earlier photograph from 1900, the most noticeable features are the cars and the absence of horse-drawn transport.
Courtesy Fáilte IrelandOver the last 50 years Irelands economy and society have changed dramatically. In 1946, when this picture was taken, Irelands economy was very much reliant on agriculture and what industry there was, was agriculture related. The 1940's and 50's were a difficult time for Irelands economy and people. Due to the economic polices followed in the 1930's, Ireland's economy did not flourish and by the end of the 1950's government support for industry had increased, leading to increased industrial growth throughout the 1960s. Joining the EU in 1973 lead to further changes in Irelands economy but government spending spiralled out of control. Throughout the 1980s huge emigration, unemployment and debt were a constant feature of society. Then in the 1990 a dramatic change occurred with the wealth and prosperity of the Celtic tiger giving people jobs in new sectors, disposable income and a new society for the millennium. In the space of 50 years, Ireland, its economy and its people have experienced dramatic changes.