Rocky Road to Dublin

The film surveys the post‑Rising era up to the early 1970s, highlighting the Irish Free State’s development, debates over independence, and shifting social norms. It covers censorship, media debates, religious influence, and calls for reform across several decades. The timeline culminates in the early 1970s, when old structures faced renewed challenges.

The documentary unfolds across Ireland with a focus on Dublin’s institutional landscape, including media, education, and public life. It traces the country’s social and political evolution from the Easter Rising through mid-20th century reforms. The visuals hinge on Ireland’s cultural hubs—universities, newspapers, and public forums—that shape national discourse.

🕊️ Tradition vs Modernity

The film juxtaposes the enduring power of the Anglo-Irish aristocracy and the Catholic Church with the rise of liberal ideas and social change. Old rituals and hierarchies sit alongside discussions of independence, media openness, and changing moral codes. This tension helps frame Ireland’s evolving national identity.

📰 Censorship and Debate

Open debate is contrasted with censorship as journalists and intellectuals advocate for freer discussion on contraception and other contentious topics. The narrative examines how censorship shaped writers, editors, and public discourse. It tracks the shift from rigid orthodoxy to more diverse voices.

🗳️ Identity in Politics

Ireland's posture toward American influence and its own independence debates are explored in political forums and international settings. The film probes competing visions for Ireland’s role on the world stage and within the UN. It captures the friction between tradition and the push for sovereignty.

✍️ Writers and Emigration

The documentary frames emigration as a notable consequence of censorship and cultural control, highlighting the displacement of Irish writers. A roll call of authors demonstrates how artistic freedom and political orthodoxy intersect. Writing emerges as both a casualty and a catalyst of Ireland’s self-definition.