Tuairim, Intellectual Debate and Policy Formulation: Rethinking Ireland, 1954–75 - Hardcover

Finn, Tomas

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 071908525X ISBN 13: 9780719085253

Publisher: Manchester University Press, 2012

Synopsis

The 1950s and 1960s were a transformative phase in modern Irish history. In these years, a conservative society dominated by the Catholic Church, and a state which was inward-looking and distrustful of novelty, gradually opened up to fresh ideas. This book considers this change. It explores how the intellectual movement Tuairim (‘opinion’ in Irish), was at the vanguard of the challenge to orthodoxy and conservatism.

Tuairim contributed to debates on issues as diverse as Northern Ireland, the economy, politics, education, childcare and censorship. The society established branches throughout Ireland, including Belfast, and in London. It produced frequent critical publications and boasted a membership that included the future Taoiseach, Dr Garret FitzGerald. Tuairim occupied a unique position within contemporary debates on Ireland’s present and future. This book is concerned with its role in the modernisation of Ireland. In so doing it also addresses topics of continued relevance for the Ireland of today, including the Northern Ireland Peace Process and the institutional care of children.

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About this title

About the Author

Dr Tomás Finn is a lecturer in Modern Irish History at National University of Ireland, Galway

From the Back Cover

The 1950s and 1960s were a transformative phase in modern Irish history. In these years a conservative society dominated by the Catholic Church, and a state which was inward-looking and distrustful of novelty, gradually opened up to fresh ideas about politics, the economy, society and religion. This book considers this change. It explores how from its formation in 1954 the intellectual movement Tuairim ('opinion' in Irish) was at the vanguard of the challenge to orthodoxy and conservatism.

Tuairim initiated and contributed to debates on issues as diverse as Northern Ireland, administrative and political reform, education, childcare and censorship. The society established branches throughout Ireland, including in Belfast, and London. Tuairim produced frequent critical publications on burning issues and boasted a roster of members who would go on to become luminaries in Irish public life; Dr Garret FitzGerald, the future Taoiseach, Donal Barrington, later a Supreme Court Judge, Miriam Hederman O'Brien, a future Chancellor in the University of Limerick and David Thornley, subsequently a distinguished television presenter and a Labour party TD. Until its disbandment in 1975, Tuairim occupied a unique position within contemporary debates on Ireland's present and future. This book is concerned with the role that the society played in the modernisation of Ireland during the 1950s and 1960s. In so doing it also addresses topics of continued relevance for the Ireland of today, including the Northern Ireland Peace Process and the institutional care of children.

Edition details

• Publisher: Manchester University Press
• Publication date: 2012
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 071908525X
• ISBN 13: 9780719085253
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 272