Fifty years ago RTÉ Television broadcast a report on the housing situation in Dublin from the series 'Sixty Four'.
In this clip from the programme John O'Donoghue looks at the history of Georgian Dublin. By 1964 many of the Georgian buildings in Dublin city centre, which were built in the 18th century, are now falling down, being demolished or both. O'Donoghue remarks "Once the proud townhouses and residences of the wealthy, the decorated ceilings are now falling down."
Many of the landlords of these Georgian buildings claim that the tenants themselves have deliberately damaged the properties in order to get them condemned and moved out to new corporation housing estates in the suburbs.
John O'Donoghue meets some of the residents of these properties, which are now largely in slum condition. The residents talk about the living conditions in these properties. Some residents talk about their new homes in the suburbs, while others face a more uncertain future.
'Sixty Four' was a current affairs programme broadcast weekly throughout 1964. The programme covered major news topics from at home and abroad. Each programme was 30 minutes long and mixed studio discussion with film reports.
The report shown here was part of the 'Sixty Four' programme first broadcast on 16 January 1964.
To view the full clip, visit the ‘House and Home’ exhibition.
