The David McWilliams Podcast The Pope’s Children at 20: How Ireland Grew Up
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Nov 6, 2025 Reflecting on two decades since a cultural milestone, the discussion dives into how suburbia shaped Ireland's identity over the years. Unique characters like Decklanders and Breakfast Roll Man illustrate societal shifts amid the Celtic Tiger's rise and fall. The conversation explores how overseas property investments fueled this boom and introduces the Hype Bourgeoisie, a new taste class blending local and global influences. Generational lessons are highlighted, revealing how various age groups experienced economic tides differently.
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Birth Cohort Shaped A Nation
- The Pope's Children cohort were born around the pope's 1979 visit and reshaped Ireland's society as they entered adulthood.
- David McWilliams links that demographic surge to suburban-led cultural and economic change during the Celtic Tiger era.
Suburbs Drove Cultural Change
- McWilliams argues the real energy of modern Ireland came from three-bedroom suburban semis, not just urban centres or rural mythologies.
- He celebrates suburbia as the source of cultural creativity and upward mobility during the boom.
Study Society On The Ground
- To understand social change, go to the suburbs and observe daily life rather than rely on official data or brochures.
- McWilliams recommends on-the-ground, pop-sociology research like paper rounds and local visits to spot trends.
