Dublin in the 1960s Through Fascinating Photos

The decade of the 1960s was characterised by worldwide economic boom, the rise of population after the war, ‘the Baby Boom’, and the emergence of Civil Rights movements. Student movements came to prominence around the world, culminating in the events of 1968.

Dublin in the 1960s

Ireland also benefited from the economic boom and developing economy as policies of protectionism were abandoned and the country was opened up to international trade and industry. RTÉ television began on the last day of 1961.

The 1960s also saw the end of censorship in Ireland, and the provision of free post-primary education. The Civil Rights movement began in the North of Ireland, and the start of the ‘troubles’, which continued to the end of the century.

Take a look at these fascinating photos from National Library of Ireland to see what Dublin, Capital of the Republic of Ireland looked like in the 1960s.

Capel Street, Dublin at 9.30 am, June 28, 1960

Filming at Westland Row Station, now Pearse Station, in Dublin, June 24, 1960

New houses being constructed, Templeogue, Co. Dublin, 1961

Store Street, Dublin, September 1961

The late lamented Theatre Royal on Hawkins Street in Dublin, April 1, 1962

Garda directing traffic, O'Connell Bridge, Dublin, 1963

O'Connell Street, Dublin, June 1963

This is American model Linda Ward (later O'Reilly) posing, Dublin, circa 1963

A bunch of fascinated boys, and their equally engaged alsatian dog study something in the River Liffey at Upper Ormond Quay, Dublin, 1964

A nun with a most remarkable (and slightly dangerous-looking) veil/head dress waiting for a bus outside the Rotunda Hospital on Parnell Street, Dublin, 1964

A very direct stare from a woman shopping on Moore Street, Dublin, 1964

Mystery shoppers in Moore Street, Dublin, 1964

Protest against evictions from tenement buildings on York Street in Dublin, 1964

The Martello Tower in Seapoint with the children in fine fettle, 1964

The Heiton McFerran shop on the corner of Tara Street, circa 1965

A half-demolished Nelson's Pillar on O'Connell Street, Dublin, March 8, 1966

An Evening Press newspaper seller does a brisk trade on O'Connell Street, Dublin on the day after Nelson's Pillar was blown up, March 9, 1966

Ornate arch and gateway, Charlemont House, Parnell Square North at 116 St James's Street, Dublin, 1966

"The Irish House", Winetavern Street, Dublin City, Co. Dublin, 1968

A young nun walking Holy Communion girls past no. 3, Halston Street, Dublin on the feast of Corpus Christi, June 5, 1969

Busiest boy in Dublin, 1969

Children under a sign designed to protect them on the Pigeon House Road, Ringsend, Dublin, 1969

Derby Square in Werburgh St. facing the old labour exchange Jurys car park built on it now, 1969

Dublin's Marshalsea Barracks, 1969

Fruit seller with a very cheeky grin, Dublin, September 1969

Little boy putting money in nun's collection tray, Dublin, 1969

Returning to Dublin's 1932 urinals today (installed in advance of the 1932 Eucharistic Congress). This one was on Eden Quay, Dublin, and you can just catch a glimpse of Liberty Hall behind the tree, September 1969

Secondhand (pre-owned!) shoe stall at Cumberland Street Market in Dublin, 1969

The Parnell Monument at the junction of Upper O'Connell Street, Parnell Street and Cavendish Row, Dublin, 1969

The Parnell Monument, Dublin, July 1969

These two young entrepreneurs had set out their "stall" in front of St. Catherine's Church on Thomas Street in Dublin,1969