Irish Identity Research Paper

Words: 508
Pages: 3

Since the beginning of time, Ireland's culture and identity have significantly changed from century to century. Being Irish and looking at the question of Traditional Irishness, I think of the early 20th century and the era of Irish Independence being the most influential and successful in establishing what it is to be Irish and the irish identity of people. During this time, Ireland had three very influential figures who had the power to define the Irish nation and Irish identity, these men were known as Eamon De Valera, Michael Collins and Padraig Pearse. All three of these leaders believed in Irish identity being connected to Gaelicism, they associated the Irish identity with being rural,pure, catholic, anti-materialism and gaelic. (Moffatt, 2011) …show more content…
During the era of these three powerful figures and the catholic church Ireland was very different from what we know it today. In old Ireland Religion and then Irish language where extremely important to the identity of being Irish. According to Dunn and Hennessey (1996), during the era of Irish independence and the step towards gealicising the Irish identity, alienated many of Irish people from their right of feeling Irish and understanding Irishness. These included the unionists in Ireland who were in favour to remain part of Great Britain. This led to many years of riots between the republicans and unionists, and the majority of Ireland viewing Unionists in the North of Ireland British rather than Irish, even though they were born and raised on the island, they were not associated with being truly