The sixties was known as a period when social, cultural and political changes were increasingly challenged around the world. Ireland, with a long history of emigration, a great rural base and a protected economy, however, rarely had any chance to experience the economic miracles occurred in many other post-war societies.

From Dublin to Kildare and Galway, these terrific vintage snapshots transport us back to a vibrant Ireland in the 1960s. More amazing collections could be found at the National Library of Ireland.

O’Connell Street, Dublin, 1963. (Richard Tilbrook)

Capel Street, Dublin, 1960.

Clifden, Co. Galway, 1960.

A fishing trawler returning to Skerries, Co. Dublin with a full catch, circa 1960.

A man taking a breather in the Signal Cabin, Albert Quay in Cork city, 1961.

Dublin, 1961.

Two men at a pub in Moyvalley, Co. Kildare, 1961.

Theatre Royal on Hawkins Street in Dublin, 1962.

Patrick Sullivan’s Bar, circa 1963.

Group of men, Corpus Christi procession, Cahir, Co. Tipperary, 1963.

Kildare, 1963.

Garda directing traffic, O’Connell Bridge, Dublin, 1963.

Moore Street, Dublin, 1964. (Elinor Wiltshire)

Moore Street, Dublin, 1964. (Elinor Wiltshire)

A ‘Butterfly Nun’ in her cornette on Parnell Street, Dublin, 1964. (Elinor Wiltshire)

St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin, 1964. (Elinor Wiltshire)

River Liffey at Upper Ormond Quay, Dublin, 1964. (Elinor Wiltshire)

Taxi driver at the rank on O’Connell Street beside the Sacred Heart Shrine, Dublin, 1964. (Elinor Wiltshire)

Protest against evictions from tenement buildings on York Street in Dublin, 1964. (Elinor Wiltshire)

Queen Street, Dublin, 1964. (James P. O’Dea)

American model Linda Ward (later O’Reilly) and two local boys on Winetavern Street, Dublin, 1960s. (Colman Doyle)

A half-demolished Nelson’s Pillar on O’Connell Street, Dublin, 1960s.

An Evening Press newspaper seller does a brisk trade on O’Connell Street, Dublin, 1966. (Elinor Wiltshire)

Holy Communion girls led by a nun pass no. 3, Halston Street, Dublin on the feast of Corpus Christi, 1969. (Elinor Wiltshire)

Heuston Station (previously Kingsbridge), Dublin, 1969. (Elinor Wiltshire)

Urinal on Ormond Quay, Dublin featuring a poster ad for the News of the World, 1969. (Elinor Wiltshire)

The Easter Rising memorial Arbour Hill, Dublin, 1966. (Elinor Wiltshire)

Dublin, 1969. (Elinor Wiltshire)

Cumberland Streeet in Dublin, 1969. (Elinor Wiltshire)

Dublin, 1969.

Outside the National Bank, Dublin, 1969.

St. Catherine’s Church on Thomas Street in Dublin, 1969. (Elinor Wiltshire)

Pigeon House Road, Ringsend, Dublin, 1969. (Elinor Wiltshire)