Born in 1952

The Quiet Man released to enormous success, and Ireland suddenly found itself on the world's romantic imagination — a land of misty mountains, thatched cottages, and spirited redheads. The reality was rather harder: poor harvests, emigration, and a Church-dominated society where dancing at crossroads required a licence. But there was genuine warmth and community in Irish life that visitors noticed.

The GAA brought entire counties together for hurling and football, passions as deep as any religion.