Culture – as defined by language, religion, cuisine, social habits, cuisine, music, literature, film, and the arts, and sports and leisure activities – has changed in Ireland over the last several decades, owing to an influence from diverse immigrant groups. We’ll ask the questions – what is Irish culture and how does it gets expressed? We’ll learn about the dualities and divides that exist – traditional/modern, catholic/secular, Catholic/Protestant, rural/urban, Irish-speakers in the Gaeltacht/English-speakers, immigrants/native population, and Travellers/settled population.
We’ll learn about Irish slang and sayings, consumerism, farming and pub cultures, the Catholic Church and the sex abuse tribunals (Ryan Report), the banking collapse and the European Union, the globalization of Irish identity, and the health system. We’ll explore Irish radio and TV, technology, celebrity gossip and representations of Irish celebrities, consumerism and fashion, and the Irish bank crisis. We’ll investigate discrimination and racism in Ireland, Irish Traveller history, lifestyle and politics, immigration and Irish identity, and the impact of the Magdalene Sisters Laundries for girls and the Industrial Schools for the boys.
This post will serve as a space for sharing reflections on, ideas and inquiries about, and responses to these questions on aspects of Irish popular culture and the divides that exist – that intrigue and resonate – as well as found resources while cybersleuthing, and during discussions and other research activities.