Despite being a society often inclined towards resentment and complaint, it merits pausing periodically to evaluate our current state and compare it to where we once stood. Those who are engaged in acquiring property, dealing with rental issues, grappling with inflation, or shouldering the burden of energy charges may, understandably, highlight the challenges they’re facing. However, in numerous other aspects, the living standards for the citizens of Ireland have never been better. Here are 20 instances of how we’ve improved.
We’ll commence with the extended festive weekend we are currently savouring. St. Patrick’s Day celebrations have experienced a monumental transformation. In the past, it was notably bleak and dreary affair, right amidst the chills of a winter month. The local parade was the only spectacle offered — viewing morose local kids march past, fighting off the biting cold while they made a futile attempt at playing unwieldy wind instruments. The only consolation were sweets launched occasionally by moustachioed men from trailers pulled by tractors endorsing nearby agricultural shops and animal feed suppliers. After the parade ended, the entertainment was limited to watching similar parades on television. It was quintessentially drab.
Fast forward to today — it has evolved into a days-long celebration that injects millions into the economy, the wild fun of which can compete with Mardi Gras. Cumulative family moments are now an integral part of the celebrations, often symbolised by matching pyjamas themed to St. Paddy’s Day.
2. Back when Pricewatch was a lad, attaining a landline through P&T, and later on Telecom Éireann, was considered an uphill battle. Any optimistic individual who anticipated a prompt installation was met with ridicule, as the procedure unavoidably took a couple of months instead of weeks, if they were fortunate. The scarcity of household telephones necessitated careful planning of outings, and public payphones often had lengthy queues. In contrast, current times permit us to conveniently purchase powerful communication devices, superior to the computers utilised in Apollo missions, from various outlets, without drilling a hole in our pockets. Furthermore, public phone boxes, with the remaining few on the verge of disuse, have been practically obliterated due to the modern mobile revolution, and landlines might be heading towards a similar fate. Nowadays, we are virtually ever-connected with the external environment on a 24/7/365 basis via several platforms — isn’t that delightful?
3. A fun way to unsettle children before bedtime is to share tales of the Irish television sphere from the 70s. Growing up in the western part of Ireland, there was merely one channel available, that began transmission around 4 pm in winter and 5 pm in summer, and aired programmes until approximately 11pm. Following the farmers’ market reports, Irish-language shows and, evidently, the national anthem, the transmission would cease. Undoubtedly, it was a challenging era. In comparison to the single channel of yesteryears, we now have access to a plethora of channels and countless streaming services. Although we must part with substantial sums of money for this abundant content, many believe the cost is justified.
During the 1970s in Ireland, the food culture was quite different from today’s standards. Eating outlandish meals or international cuisine was unheard of. Everyday meals consisted of basics such as spaghetti and salmon from a tin and a sizeable heap of potatoes on a plate was standard. Anything less was almost seen as heretical. It wasn’t until the 1990s that something as ordinary as bagels became available outside urban areas, and the concept of a takeaway coffee was seen as a fantastical idea. Despite the lack of varied food options, we had numerous local food producers and the food journey from farm to table was quite concise. Quite a large portion of disposable income was spent on food necessities, even though food is becoming more expensive today, we are likely better off financially. Today, the food options available are unimaginably vast.
The rate of fatalities on Irish roads is concerning, with predictions for 2024 looking alarming, particularly for rural roads. Seat belts, that are mostly neglected, are a significant contributor to these tragedies. It’s worth noting that historically, the majority of Irish roads were rural and there were no motorways. Seat belts used to be optional, especially for passengers at the front, while rear passengers had no option as the seat belts were simply non-existent also no child seats were available.
Moreover, if we discuss vehicles, they have progressed exponentially over the years. Modern vehicles equipped with air-conditioning, digital radios, airbags, parking sensors, onboard computers, power-assisted steering and instant demisting windows which collectively make driving more comfortable, efficient and most importantly safer than in the past.
7. The journey from point A to point B has seen considerable enhancement, especially in the area of public transportation. Though there is still room for improvement, significant progress has been made. In the past, the state-provided bus and train services were the primary means for long-distance travel, provided you were fortunate enough. These services, however, were infamous for their slowness, discomfort, unreliability, and frigid conditions. The current scenario paints a different picture, with myriad private bus firms offering cross-country services in plush coaches featuring amenities such as toilets and wifi. Moreover, despite their shortcomings, urban bus services are far more punctual and much less likely to belch nauseating diesel fumes on pedestrians. Dublin’s fabulous tram service deserves a mention, and we may even someday inaugurate a metro system connecting our capital to the airport.
8. Ireland, in the 1950s, was brimming with cyclists, but by the 1970s, the bicycle had become obsolete as a significant means of transport for adults. Fast-forward to the 1980s and anyone over 20 riding a bike was seen as rather eccentric. This disparaging view of cycling persisted, notwithstanding its proven efficiency as a means of travel, beneficial effects on the environment, personal finances, and physical health. However, thanks to appealing tax benefits on bicycle purchases and the emergence of various street-corner bike-hire services (which have stood their ground against theft, much against popular belief), there has been a resurgence in cycling popularity lately. This revival is something we should all appreciate. Additionally, hailing a taxi has become a far simpler task than it previously was.
Though the pandemic proved quite distressing, with restrictions limiting movement to a mere 2km from our homes four years ago, it was not without its upsides. It catapulted many into the realm of remote work, permitting a large portion of the Irish populace to gain the boon of telecommuting for a number of days each week. Some have gradually been returning to office environments in recent times, however, the change has enriched family life, eased rush-hour congestion, stimulated local economies and, arguably, enhanced productivity as well. The advancement towards an anticipated four-day workweek, however, is pending, an issue we’ll revisit another day.
The pandemic also concluded in the addition of an extra bank holiday. While it may not significantly shift life’s overall trajectory, the further recognition of St Brigid and a day’s respite in the typically bleak month of February remains a pleasant addition.
The pandemic provided us with an opportunity to shop with a discerning eye. Shopping has revolutionised over the recent decades, providing us with an expansive range of options and competition. While some items we purchase might have a limited lifespan, shocking to older generations, or be made with materials that appear far from durable, variety, in essence, benefits us. Furthermore, existing retail stores such as Penneys, Dunnes, Arnotts, Brown Thomas, and Moons, amongst others, have considerably elevated their standards, transforming into luminous, inviting shopping realms. A visit to Penneys can now include a manicure session with Dunnes collaborating with prominent fashion designers, thus truly redefining retail therapy.
12. We have witnessed an evolution of the retail sector in recent years, significantly propelled by the internet’s proliferation. Today, we can effortlessly purchase apparel, tech gadgets, toys, and cosmetics from countries as diverse as China, Ireland, and the United States. Furthermore, we are able to utilise our smartphones to make price comparisons from different stores in real time, inhibiting retailers from deceiving us. Online grocery shopping has also become increasingly prevalent, with our orders being conveniently delivered to our doorsteps. Although home delivery is not a new concept, what sets this era apart is the ability to place orders via sophisticated tablets, something our forebears would not have imagined.
13. On the same note of deliveries, it has transformed how we order food from restaurants. In the 1970s, home delivery was an alien concept, and only in the 1980s could you anticipate having pizzas, or Chinese and Indian meals delivered to your home. Presently, a multitude of restaurants offer home delivery services, with cities incessantly intersected by delivery riders toting oversized heated boxes on their backs. The hardships faced by these under-compensated couriers, especially during harsh Irish winters, underscore the importance of tipping them generously whenever possible.
14. Over time, Ireland has also grown rich in diversity, a development that counters the unwarranted outcry from some sections. At one point in history, the Irish population was predominantly white, Catholic, and Protestantism was considered unusual. But today, we have morphed into a multicultural society, and despite the lingering disagreements, it’s undeniable that we are collectively venturing towards a better Ireland.
Using the information from the original text, we can discuss two significant aspects: personal finance management and the gift voucher industry over the years, especially within the U.K.
The way we handle our personal finances has significantly evolved over the past three decades, depending upon one’s viewpoint. While some believe it has deteriorated, others argue it has improved. We belong to the latter camp, proclaiming the current state to be superior to past times. Although the number of physical banks, ATMs, and human interactions in banking have dwindled, the convenience offered by technology is undeniable. From online banking and making payments with a simple device swipe, to easy, virtually instant money transfers, we’ve come a long way. Though this shift renders us more susceptible to scams and tech hitches making human interaction elusive, it is a small price to pay for progress.
Previously, the gift voucher industry presented a chaotic scene, with seemingly arbitrary and unfair rules that heavily favoured the selling parties. Amid the industry’s worth in hundreds of millions of euros, consumers were left grappling with vouchers that had unfairly short expiry periods, often less than six months; retailers had the liberty to refuse giving change if the voucher’s full value wasn’t utilized, or deny their use during certain periods of the year. Such absurd restrictions led to about €50m of gift vouchers going unclaimed every year. However, the tide turned in late 2019 with a new law that ensured a minimum five-year lifespan for all gift vouchers. It also mandated retailers to give change for remaining voucher values and introduced other, consumer-friendly changes. Although issues persist, such as the monthly maintenance fee imposed on unused vouchers after a year, it is clear that the current scenario is far better than the old one.
Looking back, we have indeed excelled at our recycling practices compared to those we employed in the past. Despite possible varying perspectives about bin charges or the recent inception of the Re-Turn deposit and return model, one cannot overlook the enhancement regarding waste management. Data procured from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) illustrates this evolution. In 2001, seventy-four percent of our refuse would end up in a landfill, a massive reduction to the sixteen percent we saw in 2021. There has been a distinct rise in the rate of waste recovery in Ireland, more specifically, packaging waste recovery. This figure has moved from twenty-five percent in 2001 to over ninety percent in the present day.
A particular positive change is the near elimination of plastic bags littering the Irish landscape, courtesy of the plastic bag levy introduced in 2002. Previously, it accounted for a sizable five percent of all litter in 2001, but now contributes a mere less than 0.2 percent. Researchers from UCD found it arduous to name another tax that elicited the same enthusiasm and approval from those liable to it.
Once upon a time, a trip abroad was tinged with the drawback of hefty in-room telephone charges racked up by hotels, however, the advent of the mobile phone brought demise to this profit-maker for hotels. Alas, as consumers may have been relishing the prospect of low-cost calls, mobile companies stepped in to extract their share with unfounded roaming fees. Imagine paying a whopping €5 for a four-minute call to Ireland from France, or an astonishing €9.76 if one was holidaying in Malta. Accepting a call of similar duration would cost you up to €3.97 in France or €7.96 in Malta, respectively. However, thanks to the proactive measures by the European Commission over the course of 15 years, they’ve managed to rein in telecoms sector. Now, one can use their phone in Spain as seamlessly as at home, devoid of the fear of astronomical phone bills upon return.
Where do we begin discussing the evolution of travel? In the 1970s, international travel was an infrequent occurrence and when individuals from Ireland emigrated, they typically did so permanently rather than for a brief holiday in some beautiful location. When reporters were sent to converse with young Irish immigrants moving to London, they didn’t go to the Dublin airport, but rather to Busáras. The mere thought of an individual leaving Ireland’s unemployment lines to seek work in the UK being able to afford a flight over the Irish Sea was preposterous. With an inflation adjustment, the cost of the one-hour flight, which was over £200, equates to nearly €450 nowadays. Contrarily, a 15-hour bus ride was significantly cheaper, costing a mere £40, which is equivalent to €80 in current currency. Now, a smart traveller can often reach London for a price less than ten pounds. The European Commission has reported that the current price of a family trip from Milan to Paris is a fraction (1/16th) of the price it was in 1992. The cheapest ticket on this route has dropped from more than €400 to approximately €25. This trend is mirrored in many European Union airports.