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The Irish economy during the century after Partition

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  • Cormac Ó Gráda
  • Kevin Hjortshøj O’Rourke

Abstract

We provide a centennial overview of the Irish economy in the one hundred years following partition and independence. A comparative perspective allows us to distinguish between those aspects of Irish policies and performance that were unique to the country, and those which mirrored developments elsewhere. While Irish performance was typical in the long run, the country under-performed prior to the mid-1980s and over-performed for the rest of the twentieth century. Real growth after 2000 was slow. The mainly chronological narrative highlights the roles of convergence forces, trade and industrial policy, and monetary and fiscal policy. While the focus is mostly on the south of the island, we also survey the Northern Irish experience during this period.

Suggested Citation

  • Cormac Ó Gráda & Kevin Hjortshøj O’Rourke, 2021. "The Irish economy during the century after Partition," Oxford Economic and Social History Working Papers _189, University of Oxford, Department of Economics.
  • Handle: RePEc:oxf:esohwp:_189
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Ireland; economic growth; living standards; trade policy; crises;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • N14 - Economic History - - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics; Industrial Structure; Growth; Fluctuations - - - Europe: 1913-

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