Entertainment in Ireland 1900 Rural

Entertainment in Ireland

1900 – Rural • • Visiting a neighbour’s house Chatting by fire – gossip, cards, music Telling stories was v important Each area had a famed storyteller Wakes and weddings Dances at crossroads GAA v popular

1900 - Urban • More entertainment available • Theates put on plays • Abbey theatre in Dublin – 1904 – irish plays • Theatre halls – dances, acts such as juggling and comedy • Soccer v popular in working-class areas • Rugby played by wealthy people

Changes Music Dance halls became more popular in 1960 s Showbands played in them 1970 s on, they were replaced by discos Young people met there Old traditions of neighbours storytelling died… • …replaced by arrival of electronic media • • •

Radio - 1 • • • 1 st irish station launched in 1926 Called 2 RN Changed name to Radio Eireann – when? Played huge role in bringing news to people Dev communicated his messages by radio Before, he had to do it in public meetings in front of crowds

Radio - 2 Broadcast news, sport and music Radios expensive Many families couldn’t afford one Often crowded around one in a neighbour’s house • Radios became more popular • •

TV • • • TV invented in Britain 1961 – 1 st irish station – Telefis Eireann Instant success 1980 – 90% owned TV Why so important? Changed irish society forever

How tv changed irish society • Programmes such as Late Show discussed social topics • Topics such as sex, divorce, the Church and contraception were discussed • People were hearing diff opinions to the church and govt • People were able to form their own opinion • Also, we started to see other cultures, especially America • This influenced how our society developed • We copied many of their ideas • Society became more liberal

Cinema • • • 1 st Cinema opened in 1909 Instant success Escapism from their tough lives Watched adventure and romance Not realistic films At first films were silent 1927 ‘talkies’ introduced Charlie Chaplin and Marx Brothers v popular Low price – people went twice a wk Matinees for kids

Rise of TV • • TV reduced the popularity of cinema People stayed home to watch films Local cinemas closed down Arrival of videos in 1980 s and then DVDs made cinema less popular

Holidays in 1900 • Working people got v little time off – only bank holidays • Early 1900 s families used trains to go to seasides • Cheap and efficient – travelled 3 rd calss • Day at seaside • Railway companies gave cheap prices on bank holidays

Holidays now • Now workers entitled to 3 wks paid holidays • Better wages mean people can spend them on luxuries • …such as a nice holiday • Since arrival of Aer Lingus in 1936… • People can now take foreign holidays