In 1960, US GDP per capita was $3,014, Britain’s was $1,392, France $1,325, West Germany, $1,512.
Ireland’s was $708.
Thanks to its WW2 neutrality, Ireland missed out on the Marshall Plan and its attendant modernization.
In 1961, 75% of rural households had no indoor plumbing. In the 1950s, FIFTEEN PERCENT of the population emigrated.
Prime Minister Charles Haughey (who was a close friend of the Primate of Ireland) spent thousands of pounds PER WEEK on his mistress with government funds. The Church and Fianna Fáil scratched each other’s back and each went about its corrupt ways with impunity.
So, yes, it was a dump.
“So, yes, it was a dump.”
In what way? Were the people needy? Diseased? What?
Maybe had the English not tried to exterminate the Irish via famine, Ireland might have been better off.