The 1920's are sometimes referred to as the Roaring Twenties or the Jazz Age and were a period of great social change. The pre WW1 culture clashed with a new, exciting era that worshipped youth, money and fun. The music was jazz, the people were beautiful and they lived life to the full.

Following the excesses of the 20's, came the stock market crash of 1929 and as a result the 1930's is synonymous with the The Great Depression. It witnessed the rise of authoritarian regimes across Europe but also saw the dawning of our love for superheroes such as Superman and Batman!

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The 1940’s, while overshadowed by World War 2, are not necessarily defined it.  In spite of rationing and wartime, people danced swing to the big bands and watched  films such as Citizen Kane, Casablanca and Disney’s Bambi.   There was even  time to make discoveries such as the microwave oven, Tupperware and the frisbee! 

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The 50's saw the birth of Rock n'Roll and music was never the same again! Having recovered fully from the war years, the 50's were a time of new invention, cheesy movies (The Blob, anyone??)and that wasp waist.

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The Sixties need little introduction - a decade of war, peace and social revolution. The Swinging Sixties saw the rise of the counterculture with feminism, The Beatles, the hippie movement, free love and social unrest all reflecting a decade that urged you to ‘Turn on Tune In and Drop Out.

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Apart from the growth of feminism, civil rights and environmentalism, the 70's are noted for the indiscriminate use of avocado coloured bathroom suites and a fondness for platforms and sideburns. It was also the decade of the first video game and pocket calculator. The pope visited Ireland in 1979 and 300,000 people showed up to say hi!

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The 80’s were the decade of excess with big shoulder pads and even bigger hair.  Back-combing was de rigueur and blue eye shadow was unisex.  The decade saw the birth of MTV and with the help of Michael Jackson, Duran Duran and Madonna, catapulted the music video into superstardom.  The yuppie was born and Thatcher ruled Britain with an iron fist.  Glenroe was one of Ireland’s favourite soaps, shown at 8.30pm every Sunday. 

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The 90's saw the spread of democracy and the world wide web. It witnessed mobile phones go from bricks to match boxes and we watched Baywatch, The Simpsons and Friends as part of our daily routine. Britpop competed with grunge and the rave movement grew ever stronger.

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