The Fifties

The 1950’s was the era of the Cold War and of Elvis Presley, and on the home front Ireland saw the introduction of Prize Bonds and Ronnie Delaney winning Olympic Gold in the 1500 metres in Stockholm, in 1959.

In 1950, the first modern credit card was introduced and a year later colour television first appeared.

In 1952, princess Elizabeth became Queen, while in 1956, Grace Kelly married Prince Rainier in Monaco. Edmund Hillary scaled Everest in 1953, while in 1954, Roger Bannister broke the four-minute mile.

Closer to home, Ben Dunne introduced the hula hoop to Ireland. Mise Éire, a documentary on modern Irish history was released, while in 1959, De Valera resigned as Taoiseach.

Aer Lingus offered one-way Emigrant Fares from Shannon to US for £60. Ford released the first Anglia at £535, doing 49mpg.

The Diamond Jubilee of the Pioneer Movement was marked by parades in all major centres including Kerry. Ireland also saw the first Ban Gardaí passing out into the ranks.

Kerry had victory in three All Ireland finals in the 1950s. In 1953 they beat Armagh 0-13 to 1-6. In 1955 they beat Dublin 0-12 to 1-6. And in 1959, the Manhattan Hotel was less than a year old, when it hosted the victory celebrations after Kerry’s easy win over Galway by 3-7 to 1-4