'Working through the key themes of economic development, emigration, women's lives and feminism, and finally on to political change and the upheavals caused by violence in Northern Ireland, [Daly] provides a detailed exploration of the decade which goes beyond any previous book in both its scope and detail. … This book is essential reading for anyone who wishes to make sense of the pivotal, transformational decade. Moreover, it also shines a light on just how much more there is to understand with regard to this period, and as such should provide a fruitful starting point for future research.' Erika Hanna, Twentieth Century British History
Introduction; Part I. The Economy: 1. 'Bringing up the rear of the pack' in Europe's golden age of economic growth; 2. Transforming the economy: whose plan?; 3. Coping with change 1: industry and trade unions; 4. Coping with change 2: agriculture and rural Ireland; 5. Coping with change 3: regional and physical planning; Part II. Society: 6. The optimism of a rising tide; 7. Farewell to 'the vanishing Irish'; 8. Women, children and families; 9. Second-wave feminism and the Irish family; 10. The churches; 11. Education, health and welfare; Part III. Politics and International Relations: 12. Party politics: the revolution that never happened; 13. International relations; 14. Northern Ireland; Conclusion: abandoning the past?; Bibliography; Index.