Season 3 - 1970's

In the 1970s, Dublin thrives with a vibrant nightclub scene. Apollo 13's moon mission is marred by a catastrophic explosion, but the astronauts return safely. Pele leads Brazil to victory in the 1970 World Cup. Ireland's Catholic bishops lift a ban on attending Trinity College, Dublin. Eamon and Sinead de Valera celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary, and Dublin opens the Dandelion Market. Dana wins Ireland's first Eurovision with "All Kinds Of Everything." The Biafran war ends with rebels surrendering to Nigeria. The U.S. continues withdrawing troops from Vietnam. At Kent State, National Guardsmen kill four protestors. Anti-apartheid protests occur during the South African rugby tour in Dublin. Ireland’s political scene is rocked by the Arms Crisis, leading to the dismissal of Charles Haughey and Neil Blaney.

Ireland's top businessman, Tony O'Reilly, predicts more foreign investment but warns against multinational dominance. Irish art students demand curriculum reforms, while RTE prepares for its first live colour TV production during the Eurovision Song Contest. Fianna Fail faces internal strife as Kevin Boland challenges leadership over the Arms Crisis and calls for action on Northern Ireland, ultimately defeated by Patrick Hillery. In Vietnam, South Vietnam disrupts the Ho Chi Minh Trail, and the US continues withdrawing troops. The Irish Women's Liberation Movement protests the contraception ban. Cigarette ads are banned on TV, while the drinks trade flourishes. Internment without trial is introduced in Northern Ireland, causing widespread violence and refugee displacement. China joins the UN despite US opposition, and President Nixon plans a visit. Kilkenny loses to Tipperary in hurling, while Offaly beats Galway in football. Ireland adopts a new decimal currency.

In Ireland, after the government agrees to join the European Economic Community, a referendum campaign ensues. Labour and left-wing groups oppose, but Fianna Fail and Fine Gael support, leading to a 'Yes' vote by a large margin. In the U.S., George McGovern challenges Nixon for the presidency, while the Watergate break-in gains little attention. Unemployment hits the West of Ireland, causing many to seek work abroad, dividing families. Bloody Sunday occurs in Derry, where British soldiers kill 13 civil rights marchers, provoking outrage. The IRA carries out bombings in Belfast, and Muhammad Ali fights in Dublin. The 1972 Olympics are marked by tragedy as Palestinian militants kill 11 Israeli athletes in Munich. As U.S. troops withdraw from Vietnam, Nixon visits China, and Ireland makes constitutional changes. Northern Ireland is placed under direct rule, and the Provisional IRA intensifies violence, including the bombing campaign on 'Bloody Friday.'

In the 1973 Irish general election, the Fine Gael-Labour coalition wins, marking the first change of government in 16 years. A report on women’s equality recommends major reforms, and while the Civil Service lifts the marriage bar, women in manufacturing earn only 43% of men’s pay. Ballymun still lacks adequate facilities despite housing 17,000 people, including 6,000 children. The Irish production of Jesus Christ Superstar begins rehearsals with Luke Kelly, Colm Wilkinson, and Tony Kenny. In global events, the Vietnam War ends, Juan Perón is re-elected in Argentina, and the IRA frees members in a helicopter escape. A military coup in Chile ousts President Allende. During the Yom Kippur War, Egypt and Syria attack Israel, escalating tensions. The Watergate scandal and Nixon’s legal battles unfold, while Erskine Childers is elected President of Ireland. In sports, Limerick wins the All-Ireland hurling final and Cork claims the football title. Thin Lizzy scores a UK hit.

In 1974, Cearbhall ó Dálaigh becomes Ireland's fifth president after Erskine Childers' sudden death. A nine-week bus strike in Dublin leads to the Army providing transport. West Germany beats Holland in the World Cup Final. U.S. President Nixon resigns over the Watergate scandal. ABBA wins the Eurovision Song Contest, and 'Joseph And His Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat' becomes a major hit in Dublin. An oil spill at Bantry Bay causes local outrage. The Dublin and Monaghan bombings kill 33 people. Turkish forces invade Cyprus following a Greek coup. Rory Gallagher enjoys success in music, while Nell McCafferty leads new women's campaigns. The Irish legal system faces criticism over illegitimacy laws. In sports, Kilkenny wins the hurling final, and Dublin dominates football. Patty Hearst is kidnapped by the SLA. The IRA conducts bombings in Britain, leading to wrongful convictions.

In 1975, Dutch industrialist Tiede Herrema is kidnapped by the IRA in Limerick, demanding the release of prisoners. After a 17-day siege in Monasterevin, two captors surrender. In Saigon, North Vietnamese forces seize power, ending the Vietnam War as Westerners are airlifted out. Charles Haughey returns to politics, becoming Opposition spokesman on Health. Margaret Thatcher becomes the first female leader of the British Conservative Party. Eamon de Valera dies, leaving behind a legacy as a key figure in Irish history. An IRA gang holds hostages in London, ending a six-day siege peacefully. Internment without trial in Northern Ireland ends. The Miami Showband is ambushed by the UVF, resulting in three deaths. Unarmed Garda officer Michael Reynolds is killed during a bank raid. L'Escargot wins the Grand National, and Kilkenny and Kerry claim All-Ireland titles. Ireland faces a recession, high inflation, and rising unemployment.

In 1976, the £5 note design changed, featuring poet John Scotus Erigena instead of Lady Hazel Lavery. Violent riots in Soweto lead to open revolt and hundreds of deaths as South African security forces are instructed to restore order. In Rhodesia, Prime Minister Ian Smith agrees to a plan to end white minority rule. Ireland's Cabinet Minister Paddy Donegan sparks a crisis after criticizing President Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh, who resigns. Patrick Hillery is elected President. Harold Wilson resigns as UK Prime Minister, succeeded by James Callaghan. Ireland faces a severe recession, with Finance Minister Richie Ryan introducing strict measures. The year also sees a bank strike, Abba topping charts, and Nadia Comaneci winning three Olympic golds. Jimmy Carter is elected U.S. President, while tensions in Northern Ireland escalate with IRA violence. In sports, Cork wins the All-Ireland Hurling Final, and Dublin defeats Kerry in the Football Final.

The 'Brendan Voyage' ends in Newfoundland after a 4,000-mile journey across the Atlantic, retracing the path of sixth-century Irish monks. Queen Elizabeth celebrates 25 years on the British throne and visits Northern Ireland, where protests occur. Punk rock surges in popularity, with the Sex Pistols releasing 'God Save The Queen.' Ireland's 'Hot Press' magazine launches, targeting the youth market. In Dublin, a 12-hour armed siege at a store ends with a surrender. Fine Gael addresses rising crime with tougher laws. An industrial dispute at Shannonbridge ESB causes power cuts for a week. Dublin wins the All-Ireland Football Final and Cork claims the Hurling title. The Ferenka plant in Limerick shuts down, costing 1,400 jobs. A deadly jet collision in Tenerife kills 574 people. Fianna Fail wins a landslide victory in the general election, and the Boomtown Rats score their first Top Ten hit. Steve Biko dies in police custody, and a loyalist strike in Northern Ireland fails.

In 1978, Ireland's offshore exploration continues with £100m spent on oil search and Kinsale gas becoming commercially available. The US brokers a peace deal between Israel and Egypt, but Lebanon remains a conflict hotspot, leading to Irish peacekeepers being deployed. Protests erupt over plans to build offices at Dublin's Viking settlement, but the construction proceeds. The year sees the death of Pope Paul VI, followed by Pope John Paul I, and the election of Pope John Paul II. The IRA commits the horrific La Mon Hotel bombing. In sports, Kerry defeats Dublin in the All-Ireland football final, while Cork wins hurling. Anti-nuclear protests stop a proposed power station at Carnsore Point. Environmental concerns arise in County Cork over asbestos dumping. Pirate radio stations grow in popularity, leading to calls for legalization, as RTE launches its second TV channel, RTE 2.

In 1979, Vietnamese "boat people" flee poverty and persecution, with Ireland accepting refugees through a resettlement program. Iran becomes an Islamic republic after the Shah is ousted, and U.S. hostages are taken at the embassy. Pope John Paul II visits Ireland, drawing over a million people to a Mass in Dublin. Ireland faces the worst year for industrial disputes, with army intervention during a nationwide bus strike and a four-month postal strike. PAYE workers protest the tax system. Industrial disputes cost over 1.46 million working days. Lord Mountbatten is killed by an IRA bomb, and 18 British soldiers die in a separate bombing. In Cambodia, the Khmer Rouge regime’s atrocities are exposed. Kilkenny and Kerry win the 1979 All-Ireland hurling and football titles, respectively. Fianna Fáil leader Jack Lynch resigns, and Charles Haughey becomes Taoiseach. Margaret Thatcher is elected UK Prime Minister.