Mick Clifford: Mid-80s the darkest hour for Ireland before the slow rising dawn of peace

Despite violence and unemployment dominating public life, there is an alluring sheen to 1985, writes Mick Clifford

In June 1985, one Bruce Springsteen and his E Street Band rolled up to Slane Castle to make his Irish debut.

Things here were dark in 1985, and that’s putting it brightly. To continue with mangling quotes from Samuel Beckett, the country was failing, failing again, but there was no sign that it was failing better.

In some ways, the middle year of the decade was the darkest hour before a slow rising dawn of peace and prosperity. There would be a bit to go yet before the country could stride forward with some confidence but, in the round, there were small shoots at the fringes that hinted better times might be ahead.