The cultural landscape of Ireland has changed dramatically over the past 10 years. There have been changes In terms of the economic, political and social environment. The development in these areas have led to a change in the underlying values, basic assumptions, behaviours, norms and symbols of the nation which have ultimately led to a changing in culture. The past ten years in Ireland have seen a dramatic increase in the wealth of the nation. The beginning of the decade saw unprecedented economic growth which has been counter balanced a period of deep economic recession the result has meant that the nation has been turbulent and ever changing of the past 10 years. In tandem with the economic, social and political changes we have seen evidence of the cultural changes within the nation. In the following paragraphs we will examine the concept of culture and discuss how aspects of culture have changed in Ireland.
Figure 1. The graph illustrates the levels of Gross Domestic Product in Ireland since 2000. Source ESRI- http://www.esri.ie/irish_economy/
What is culture?
The definitions of culture are numerous and wide ranging. The subject of culture can be examined from a sociological, psychological or managerial standpoint (LUNDY & COWLY 1996). It is estimated that here are some 200 different definitions of this term. Two popular scholars Furnham & Gunter summed up many of these definitions and highlighted several commons traits or aspects of the many definitions of Culture.
1. Culture is difficult to define
2. Culture is multi-dimensional and multi layered
3. Culture is not dynamic and is ever changing
4. Culture is slow to establish
CULTURE IS DIFFICULT TO DEFINE
As we have already explained culture can be viewed fr...
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...ress the collective desire of a group and guides their behaviour.
Historically the shared values in Ireland have been conferred by religion and for the most part the Catholic Church. A major cultural shift has led to a deterioration of the church’s influence which has dramatically changed over the past decade. The relationship has changed due to the growing multi-cultural society, globalisation and scandals within the church.
Conclusion
It is evident that the culture in Ireland is ever changing. The economic recession has had dramatic consequences for many individuals, families and communities. Many people have to re-evaluate their beliefs and change their perceptions of the world. The change in Ireland over the past 10 years has been rapid and all-encompassing however as we have established the culture will remain ever change and responsive to the environment.
170 years after the potato blight sent the Irish to America they are said to have assimilated to the point of over-acculturalization. Today Catholicism and St. Patricks’ day are the only things that differentiate this group from other Anglo-American groups. Not only were they able to conform to mainstream society they have been referred to as America’s favorite group (pg. 294). Although they are still characterized today as heavy drinkers and fighters, they are no longer considered sub-human and
There is particular consideration given to the political climate in this story. It is incorporated with social and ethnic concerns that are prevalent. The story also addresses prejudice and the theme of ethnic stereotyping through his character development. O'Connor does not present a work that is riddled with Irish slurs or ethnic approximations. Instead, he attempts to provide an account that is both informative and accurate.
In order to legitimise a regime or cause, traditions may be constructed around historical or mythological events, people or symbols that reinforce the image required to focus people’s conception of the past. People can be encouraged to invent a cohesive view of their shared ‘traditions’ by what could be called cherry picking bits of history.
What do you think of when you hear the name Ireland? Ireland is a relatively small island off the coast of Great Britain with a land area of 32,424 square miles (Delaney 2). There are several things that you may associate with this country such as St. Patrick’s Day, shamrocks, beer, and strife. The source of the bitterness behind this conflict began centuries ago, when Britain came over and forced Protestantism on the Irish Catholic inhabitants. For this reason there has always been an animosity between the Protestants and the Irish Catholics. The island is broken up into two distinct regions. The Republic of Ireland consists of twenty-six counties, which make up the southern region. This area is predominantly Roman Catholic. Northern Ireland is made up of the six northern counties, which are under British rule and predominately Protestant. Both sides use propaganda to spread their ideas and gain support. They each have organizations, such as the I.R.A., in the south, and the U.V.F., in the north, which use peaceful methods such as newspapers and murals along with violence to fight for their cause. In Northern Ireland the Protestants used their position in the government to spread anti-Catholic propaganda and persecute the Catholic citizens.
Ireland has a very conflicted history. Just when that history may seem to take a turn for the better, it seems that there is always another event to keep the trend of depression ongoing. The separation of the Protestant and Catholic Church would be the center of these events. However, the two different groups could potentially work together for the betterment of the nation. Through an analysis of why Protestants and Catholics split in the first place, disadvantages that Catholics would face in the coming years and also how these disadvantages were lifted, an argument will be developed in that there is perhaps the chance that they may end up working together in the future for the betterment of Ireland. Although these two groups would fight over the countless decades, they need to join into one entity if they wish to see a better future for Ireland.
Violence, terror, suffering and death. The conflict that has been burning in Northern Ireland seems to be an unstoppable battle and it has flooded over the land of Northern Ireland. The struggle for power and the persistence of greed have fueled the raging fires of the opposing groups. The conflict in Northern Ireland has been discussed continually over the past few decades. Ever since the beginning of the “Troubles,” organizations have been scavenging to find a plan that will cease the violence. Throughout my research for this project, the questions of what are the main sources of conflict in Northern Ireland and why have they continued today guided me to many fascinating pieces of evidence that provided me with a more compassionate view of the situation of Northern Ireland. My research topic was very broad and to get down into a more explicit viewpoint, I chose to search for my sources by selecting three disciplines.
Culture often means an appreciation of the finer things in life; however, culture brings members of a society together. We have a sense of belonging because we share similar beliefs, values, and attitudes about what’s right and wrong. As a result, culture changes as people adapt to their surroundings. According to Bishop Donald, “let it begin with me and my children and grandchildren” (211). Among other things, culture influences what you eat; how you were raised and will raise your own children? If, when, and whom you will marry; how you make and spend money. Truth is culture is adaptive and always changing over time because
The authors provide a background to the Troubles of Northern Ireland, with their main focus being a detailed analysis of the religious, geographical, age and gender distribution of polit...
As the English attempted to extend their power throughout Ireland in the sixteenth century, the internal migration of the Gaelic and Anglo-Irish populations as well as the introduction of institutions and ideas transformed the landscape on a large scale. As a response to this colonial experience, the negotiation for Irish identity would manifest itself in both the personal geography of the body as well as the national landscape. While European ...
Not a unified and separate country until 1921, Northern Ireland has had cultural, financial, and economic that makes it stand affront from the rest of the Emerald Isles. With its close proximity to England and the immigration all through the 1600s of English and Scottish, Northern Ireland has become more anglicized th...
Culture has five basic characteristics: It is learned, shared, based on symbols, integrated, and dynamic (http://home.eartlink.net/~youngturck/Chapter8.htm).
Religion in James Joyce's Dubliners Religion was an integral part of Ireland during the modernist period, tightly woven into the social fabric of its citizens. The Catholic Church was a longstanding tradition of Ireland. In the modernist spirit of breaking away from forces that inhibited growth, the church stood as one of the principal barriers. This is because the Catholic faith acted as the governing force of its people, as portrayed in James Joyce’s Dubliners. In a period when Ireland was trying to legitimize their political system, religious affiliations further disillusioned the political process. The governing body of a people needs to provide a behavioral framework, through its constitution, and a legal process to make delegations on issues of equity and fairness. When religion dominates the government that is in tact, it subjects its citizens to their religious doctrines. In terms of Catholicism in Ireland, this meant that social progress and cultural revolutions were in terms of what the church would allow. The modernist realized that this is what paralyzed the Irish society of the times. In the stories of Dubliners the legal system is replaced by the institute of religion, and it is the presence and social context of the Catholic Church which prevents the Irish community from advancement. ...
Mac Einri, P. 1997. Some Recent Demographic Developments in Ireland. [Online] Available from: http://migration.ucc.ie/etudesirlandaises.htm [Accessed 7th May 2012]
Tovey, H and Share, P. (2002). Sociology of Ireland. 2nd ed. Dublin: Gill & Macmillen.
The Celtic Tiger was a label put on the Irish economy during the 1990’s. It was a new image for Ireland, one that mirrored the Asian Tiger in that it was young, vibrant and well educated as well. It also brought Ireland the idea of higher wages and lower taxes . This new identity was one in which set Ireland apart for the first time ever. This paper will look at the 1990’s phenomenon of the Celtic Tiger and how it shaped Ireland and its links with East Asia and the United States.