Empire 246. Ireland Transformed: From Banning Condoms to Exporting Viagra
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Apr 14, 2025 Fintan O’Toole, a prominent public intellectual and author of 'We Don’t Know Ourselves,' joins the discussion to reflect on Ireland's remarkable evolution. He dives into the grim realities of Magdalene laundries and the Catholic Church's oppressive legacy. The conversation also explores the cultural shift from conservative values to modern liberal perspectives, including women’s rights and attitudes toward sexuality. O’Toole highlights how Ireland transformed into a tech and pharma powerhouse, questioning how its colonial past shapes the country's future.
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Ireland's Colonial Economy
- In the 1950s, Ireland relied on a colonial economy, exporting cattle to England.
- This dependence created a dissonance between the narrative of independence and the reality of economic subservience.
Irish Emigration
- Three out of five Irish children born in the 1950s emigrated, highlighting the economic hardship.
- Many returned to the UK, seeking better opportunities within the former empire.
British Coins in Ireland
- Fintan O'Toole's father, a bus conductor, frequently collected British coins.
- This symbolized Ireland's economic dependence on Britain and its continued use of the Sterling Area.
