My great-grandparents traveled to the United States from Ireland in the early 1900’s. Years later my grandmother traveled to Ellis Island, New York at the age of 17 with her sister from County Leitrim, Ireland. Here she met my grandfather, an Irish-Brooklyn know-it-all. They moved to Long Beach, California and started a family of three boys and one girl and my grandmother did her best to keep the Irish traditions alive. My exposure to the Irish culture has been a truly Americanized one. Cornbeef and cabbage on St. Patrick's day with familiar faces drinking and dancing to Celtic-folk music is a tradition in our home. I wear a Claddagh ring, given to me by my father, on my right ring finger and hide my fair Irish skin from the burning sun of California. My family is very proud of our Irish heritage.
A large population of the Irish left the island between the 1840’s to the 1900’s and are now spread out across the world. Some left because of starvation and disease brought on by the potato famine of 1845, but others left to be relieved of English rule and regain their true identity. These families, as well as my own, help keep the Irish identity alive across the globe.
The largest misconception of Irish national identity is relevant to the English identity. Because the English held rule over the Island for so many years, the traditional Irish identity that stemmed from Gaelic culture seemed to fade away as the English imposed on the land. However, after gaining independence in the 1920’s, the Irish made an effort to regain national identity by rediscovering their heritage, a focus on reviving the Gaelic community was underway. The Gaelic Athletics Association was established in 1884 to re-introduce Irish sports such as hurling and Gaelic football ("The Gaelic Revival in Ireland and America"). Quickly after that, the Gaelic League was founded and became the leading association of the Gaelic Revival with efforts to distinguish the Irish culture from the English culture. These efforts are still being made, for example, it is now made a priority to teach the Gaelic language in schools to keeps its status as one of the official languages of the nation. The Revival also made its way to the United States where a large population of Irish still carry on the Irish tradition in their homes and with Irish culture festivals.The English power can be considered an “othering” factor that challenged the Irish national identity. An “other” is an internal or external source or group of people that imputes the national identity of a country (Triandafyllidou).
National Identity in Ireland seems to include the Northern Ireland population along with the residents of the Republic of Ireland due to the unifying fact of residing on the same piece of land. While a majority of the people occupying Northern Ireland consider themselves British, 42% consider themselves “nationally and ethnically Irish” (“Ireland”). There is a constant tension between these two groups, both trying to separate from one another and promote national distinctiveness.
The Irish people are just as “split” as the Island itself. About 83% of the Island is the Republic of Ireland, previously known as the “Free States,” while the other 17% is Northern Ireland, part of the United Kingdom. Statistics of the Island mimic this split. Christianity is the leading religion on the Island, according to the Irish faith census of 2011 about 84% of the population is Roman Catholic while the religious minority groups are closely split up between the church of Ireland, Islam, no affiliation, Judaism, and “other” (Emberson). The statistics of race is similarly proportioned, about 84.5% are Irish with another 9.8% considered “other white.” The remaining 5.7% is a mix of Black, Asian, and unspecified (“Ireland Ethnic Groups”). This is a large influence on the Irish Identity because of the overwhelming majority; Irish Catholics. Minority groups are challenging this identity.
The Protestants of Ireland are one of the most prominent minority groups at 3.7% of the population. They follow the church of Ireland. This group faces discrimination from the Roman Catholic majority because of past conflict. A Protestant Aristocracy was formed and became an opposing factor to the heavily Roman Catholic population. Due to abiding bitterness between the two groups the society is strictly exclusive to Roman Catholic. Protestants experience indirect discrimination when it comes to employment, education, and social services (“Protestant”).
Irish travelers are also considered one of the main minority groups even though they make up less than 1% of the population. They face prejudice from the Irish community and are forced into unlivable conditions. They are identified as an “othering” group that challenges the national identity. These minority groups seem to be disregarded and ignored as if they do not exist. Because of the lack of representation and how small they are, there is little change and reform for these people. There have been proposals to make changes but no lasting actions. However, the Island is clearly not as diverse as many countries. With the leading population being Irish and Christian, politics seem to weigh heavily on the conservative side. This can be an issue in society because there is a significant lack of representation for the minority groups.
Demographics create a good sense of the Irish national identity, however, it is also important to consider outside views and assumptions of the nation. Stereotypes help define a nation’s identity just as much as its unique characteristics that separate them from their neighboring countries. There is a common belief about the Irish that they are heavy alcohol drinkers. This is widely known and seems to be part of the Irish national identity. In a recent study done by the Health Research Board of the Irish Department of Health it proves that over a third of the people who submitted “alcohol diaries” participate in binge drink; classified as consuming six or more drinks in one “drinking session” ("Irish study says alcohol is 'embedded' in national identity"). Many European countries participate in alcohol drinking, however, it is at a much lower level, a glass of wine or a beer is indulged at dinner. This characteristic of the nation, whether it is perceived as good or bad, sets Ireland apart from many European countries.
At first glance, the Irish are a Gaelic based culture that drinks a lot and is strictly Roman Catholic, however, “othering” factors push these traditional views. Irish identity is constantly challenged by the “othering” groups such as the English and the minority groups within the country.
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