On This Day 1980: Ballyfermot’s Joan Doran becomes first female CIE bus driver

Joan Doran from Ballyfermot was the first woman to drive a CIE Bus for a living.

On one of her first days in the new job in 1980 RTE’s Derek Davis spoke to her about blazing a trail for women in the future and the reaction from others in the garage.

Ahead of her first day Joan also had to alter the traditional male CIE bus driver’s uniform, switching the buttons on the jacket from one side to the other and mending the coat and trousers.

This report was broadcast on this day (02 May) in 1980 as part of an RTE News broadcast.

You can check out the video by clicking the link above or by clicking HERE.