On This Day in 1971: The Dublin Suburb of Ballyfermot

The RTE Archives are quickly becoming one of our favourite resources, and with pieces like this, from Ballyfermot in 1971, it is easy to see why.

At the time Ballyfermot, described in the report as a medium size Dublin suburb, was bigger than Galway or Waterford.

Recorded for the ‘Seven Days’ programme, the report opens with three teenagers, huddled around a fire in a derelict site.

The main focus of the piece is on the stigma attached to those young people living in the area attempting to gain employment after they leave the education system.

One woman speaks of her son applying for jobs and failing to get a reply when using his Ballyfermot address, but receiving replies to every application when using his grandparents’ address in Chapelizod.

Click on the link above or HERE to watch to report.