Search

This article explains the changing relationship between Irish leaders, the Irish-American diaspora, Irish-American political elites, and American diplomacy. Specifically, we explore the transnational advocacy networks (TANSs) associated with the Irish diaspora and their impact on American diplomacy. In the early twentieth century, de Valera failed to mobilize Irish-America to convince President Wilson to recognize the Irish Republic. By the late twentieth century Irish-Americans became effective foreign policy entrepreneurs in Congress re-orienting US diplomacy toward Northern Ireland. Irish political elites utilized both the diaspora and their elite connections to transform the American policy of deference to its Cold War ally to an engaged diplomacy mediating and promoting peace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the economic policies that led to the economic boom in Ireland in the 1990s, as well as the policies that were enacted by successive Irish governments to respond to the economic crisis that emerged in 2008. It discusses the economic impact of the integration of national economies within the euro area which can be very visible in the difference between creditor and debtor states. A graph is also presented that shows Irish economic growth from 1995 to 2015.

Teaching Irish Historical Sociology in the field offers unique opportunities for students to engage with sites critical to the historical development of Irish identity. For the past fourteen years, I have taught an Irish Historical Sociology course in Ireland designed to teach students the contested nature and layers of Irish identity based on the waves of migration that have come to Ireland throughout the centuries. The course begins by examining the earliest people to come to Ireland and then examines the impact of the Celtic Migrations, the introduction of Christianity, the Anglo-Norman invasion/settlement, the Plantation migration, the famine, the Irish revival in the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries, as well as changes in demography, economy, and religion in the twentieth century. Through on-site lectures, talks, and experiences in music and dance, the environment, traditional crafts, folklore and heritage, local history, and sports students learn the various groups who came to the island over time and how these groups have shaped Irish identity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Informed by insights from feminist institutionalism, this article considers the effect of various aspects of the Irish political system on women's candidate selection and election, and discusses the extent to which the new gender quota law will be facilitated by these processes. In studying Ireland the article highlights a relatively under-studied case in the comparative literature on gender and politics. It also contributes to the burgeoning field of feminist institutionalism research by examining the mechanisms surrounding female candidate recruitment, selection and election to assess the likely impact of gender quotas on women's political representation in Ireland. Taking Ireland's relatively unique PR-STV electoral system as the primary institutional context, we argue that the electoral system interacts with cultural factors to determine female candidacy opportunities and suggest that the biggest challenge to the effective implementation of legislative gender quotas in Ireland are informal mechanisms such as masculinised party cultures, societal gendered legacies and pre-existing informal rules surrounding incumbency and localism. However, we advise if party leaders and selectorates are willing to fully embrace gender quotas and integrate them into their candidate nomination processes, there is evidence to suggest that this will have a positive effect on increasing women's political representation in Ireland. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Ireland's status as one of the most materialist states in Europe in the 1980s helped motivate the need for economic growth. Ireland's export oriented policies emphasized foreign direct foreign investment. Thus, Irish growth in the 1990s was based on integrating the Irish economy in the world market to satisfy the demand for a higher quality of life even if this compromised Ireland's long struggle for independence and autonomy. Ireland's dependence on international markets became even clearer after the financial crash. The Irish government required a bailout from the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund to cover the huge debt exposure the Irish government had assumed after guaranteeing bank debt. Hence, materialism served to motivate the rise and fall of the Celtic Tiger. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores historical perspectives on economic conditions in Ireland in relation to the Celtic Tiger period of growth and subsequent recession. The author reflects on the development of economic policy in the postcolonial context and access to foreign investment. The economic transition from an agricultural economy to a service economy is considered. Other topics include the growth of trade surpluses, the role of economic integration and growing globalization in world markets, and the reliance on foreign labor in the construction industry.

Bertie Ahern, the incumbent Taoiseach or Prime Minister of Ireland, was elected to a third term in the general election of 24 May 2007. While Ahern's party, Fianna Fail, was able to retain its governing coalition, the level of support of some of the other parties changed dramatically. Fine Gael, the principal opposition party, saw its number of seats in the parliament, Dail Eireann, increase by nineteen. Some of the minor parties did less well than expected or compared to previous elections. Only the Greens maintained their six representatives. As a result, they were rewarded with a share in the new government. This election suggests that, while Irish society is changing rapidly, the political system is changing more slowly and subtly. This article examines the election results in terms of the fate of the political parties and focuses on one constituency, Tipperary South, to illustrate trends in Irish electoral politics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the relationship between Catholicism and nationalism in Ireland. It first explains the historic relationship between the Church and the Irish nationalist movement in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. It then briefly summarizes the historic role of the Church in Irish politics after independence. Finally, the article examines the diminishing political influence of Irish Catholicism in Irish politics by exploring the utility of various theories of secularisation. Like other recent work on secularisation, it attempts to historicize the debate regarding secularisation. While not agreeing with all aspects of historic secularisation theory, this approach is much more useful in explaining the dwindling power of the Catholic Church in Ireland today than more recent theories of secularisation that emphasize the vitality of religion in a more pluralistic and competitive setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While studies of Irish society have concentraed on the effects of colonialism on late industrialisation and Irish social life, less work has been done on the uniqueness of Irish demographic change and its connection to the country;s colonial past. The present article argues that Ireland demographic history has more in common with post-colonial societies than with European states that went through the so-called demographic transition. Irish demographic patterns differ even from peripheral societies of Europe. primarily because its historic pattern of emigration allowed for a stable population despite relatively high birth rates and rapidly declining death rates. Ireland's recent economic success, however, has dramatically altered this historic pattern and its vital rates now correspond more closely to the pattern of European countries that experienced an early demographic transition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Explores the role of myth in the making of Irish nationalism in the first half of the twentieth century. Impact of myth on the progress of nationalist revolution and national policy; Promotion of the mythical Gaelic heritage; Factors influencing the abolishment of the nationalism myth.

Introduces the articles published in the February 2005 issue of the periodical "The European Legacy," exploring issues related to Irish history, politics, literature and identity. Insights into the economic, cultural and political successes in Ireland; Emphasis on Irish experience and linguistic, literary and cultural patterns in a variety of national contexts; Comparison of Irish politics with other democratic countries in Europe.

The article discusses women's political participation in Ireland. Topics discussed include underrepresentation of women in elected assemblies in Ireland; a gender quota adopted in Ireland that incentivizes political parties to have gender balance in party tickets; and women candidates in the 2016 Irish general election.