Born in 1986

The divorce referendum was held and narrowly defeated — Ireland was not ready, apparently, to allow civil divorce. The result depressed social liberals and delighted the Church. Emigration continued relentlessly.

Oil prices fell, which helped the economy somewhat. But the sense of crisis persisted. Garret FitzGerald's government was running out of steam and ideas.

Change was coming — the question was what kind. Ireland was in a holding pattern, waiting for something to shift.