In Search of Ireland: A Cultural Geography [Paperback]

In Search of Ireland argues that Ireland's political problems are created by conflicts and confusions of identity. It brings together a number of distinguished contributors, each of whom examines a particular aspect of Ireland's diverse cultural geography and history. Issues covered include: the changing definitions of Irishness the roles of class and gender in constructing traditional alignments of identity the role of ethnicity in Irish society the invention and imagining of Irish 'place' the political implications of a pluralistic Ireland The contributors demonstrate that many people both inside and outside of Ireland continue to define themselves and their conflicts through simple sectarian stereotypes. The authors argue that politicians and others must reject these outdated either/or representations and accommodate instead the fluidity of Irish identity. James Anderson, University of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne S.J. Connolly, Queens's University, Belfast Neville Douglas, Queen's University, Belfast Brian Graham, University of UlsteIn Search of Ireland examines the nature of the political economy and the exercise of power within the context of contemporary cultural geography.This incisive and illuminating book must be required reading for anyone interested in looking beyond the sensationalist headlines and prejudiced stereotypes of Ireland and the Irish - Contemporary ReviewList of illustrations, Notes on contributors, Acknowledgements, Preface, 1 IRELAND AND IRISHNESS: PLACE, CULTURE AND IDENTITY, Part I A multifaceted Ireland, Part II Axes of division and integration, Part III Territory, nationalism and the contestation of identity, Part IV Place, identity and politics, IndexUS? 1997 selection and editorial matter, Brian Graham; individual chapters, the contributors