Born in 1957

Éamon de Valera returned as Taoiseach, and Ireland's conservative, insular course continued for a while longer. But Lemass was working on his plans. The economy was in poor shape — high unemployment, emigration, stagnation.

Yet cultural life was rich: the Abbey Theatre was producing important work, writers like Beckett (abroad) and Behan (at home) were gaining international reputations. Ireland was punching above its weight creatively even as it struggled economically.