Born in 1982

Three governments in eighteen months — Ireland's political system was straining under economic pressure. The economy was in crisis, and emigration was rising again. Young graduates were leaving for London, Boston, and New York.

And yet cultural life flourished: U2 were becoming genuinely famous internationally, their anthemic rock resonating far beyond Ireland. Christy Moore's political folk songs filled the smaller venues. Ireland was exporting its talent even as it struggled to keep people at home.