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EDITORIAL

FÁILTE GO DTÍ COMÓRADH 70 BLIAIN 2025
IRISLEABHAR

MUINTIR MHATHÚNA JOURNAL!
(Welcome to the 2025 70th Anniversary O'Mahony Society Journal!)

Seven decades may seem like a long time—but is it really? In one
sense, they are mere fleeting moments, passing in the blink of an eye.
And yet, as we reflect on our journey, we proudly look back with pride
and forward with vision. The O Mahony Society Council and Journal
Advisory Board continue to carry the flame of history, illuminating our
path through the 2025 70th Anniversary O’Mahony Journal.
A few short years before the founding of the O'Mahony Society in 1955 by the late,
great Eoin O’Mahony, Ireland took a defining step toward full independence. On April 18,
1949, Ireland officially declared itself a republic, severing its remaining ties with the British
Commonwealth. After centuries of struggle and sacrifice, this marked the dawn of a fully
sovereign Irish Republic.

Whether bound by blood or shared heritage, we are all O Mahonys, O’Mahonys,
O'Mahoneys, Mahoneys alike! As proud members of this esteemed family, we remain deeply
connected to our broader Irish kin, a bond that has strengthened since our founding in 1955.

Ireland’s history is long, proud, complex, and profound—woven with triumph and hardship
alike. The journey of our O Mahony Society has mirrored the evolution of Ireland itself:

● The 1950s: A time of economic struggle, high emigration, and strong influence
from the Catholic Church. Marked by stagnation, conservatism, and the search for better
opportunities abroad.

● The 1960s: An era of economic progress, cultural modernization, and the emergence
of civil rights movements in Northern Ireland—signaling both hope and upheaval.

● The 1970s: A decade of intensifying conflict as "The Troubles" escalated, shaking
Northern Ireland and leaving its mark on the Republic through violence and political turmoil.

● The 1980s: A period of recession, unemployment, and continued emigration. Tragedy
struck in 1981 with the Stardust Ballroom fire, a devastating chapter in Dublin’s history.

● The 1990s: Marked by the Celtic Tiger economic boom and Ireland’s increasing
global integration through the European Union. Progress toward peace in Northern Ireland
culminated in the historic Good Friday Agreement of 1998.

● The 2000s: A time of prosperity and change, tempered by the financial crisis that led
to Ireland’s bailout in 2010.
● Today: Ireland stands as one of the most peaceful nations in the world, ranking second
in the 2024 Global Peace Index—an incredible testament to resilience and progress.

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