Plural Identities Singular Narratives

Northern Ireland is frequently characterised in terms of a two traditions paradigm, representing the conflict as being between two discrete cultures. Demonstrating the reductionist nature of this argument, this book highlights the complexity of reality.

Northern Ireland is frequently characterized in terms of a "two traditions" paradigm, representing the conflict as being between two discrete cultures. Proceeding from an analysis of the historical and religious context, this study demonstrates the reductionist nature of the "two traditions" model, highlighting instead the complexity of ethnic identities and cultural traditions. It thus shows why attempts at reconciliation like the Good Friday Agreement of 1998, which seeks to promote the concept of a "parity of esteem" based on this identity model., are fraught with difficulties. Reflecting on the applicability of the concept of multiculturalism in the context of Northern Ireland, the author proposes a re-conceptualisation of Northern Irish culture along lines that steer clear of binary oppositions. From the Contents: 'Webs of Significance'; Dis-membering the Past; Divided by Common Cosmologies; A Discourse in Difference; The Process if 'Cruthinitude'; Un Unclaimed Tradition; Ethnic Nationality; The 'Fuzzy Frontier'; The 'Common Ground'

Examining identity in relation to globalization and migration, this book uses narratives and memoirs from contemporary authors who have lived 'in-between' two or more languages. It explores the human desire to find one's 'own place' in new cultural contexts, and looks at the role of language in shaping a sense of belonging in society.

Mair'ead Nic Craith's has sought to integrate critical heritage studies, cultural history, literature and folklore into a creative ethnology. Issues of community and place, memory and nostalgia are key themes in her work. The tensions around forms, definitions and uses of heritage are picked up in the contributions to this book. Research essays engage with the wide range of topics Mair'ead has explored. Other contributions note her support and mentoring or illustrate the author's appreciation of her work through prose, music and artistic representations. Ullrich Kockel teaches at Heriot-Watt University Edinburgh, the Latvian Academy of Culture and Vytautas Magnus University Kaunas. He is Emeritus Professor of Ethnology at Ulster University, a Member of the Royal Irish Academy, and Mair'ead's anam cara.

Ireland and the Balkans have come to represent divided and (re)united communities. They both provide effective microcosms of national, ethnic, political, military, religious, ideological and cultural conflicts in their respective regions and, as a result, they demonstrate real and imaginary divisions. This book will specifically focus on the history, politics and literature of Bosnia-Herzegovina and Northern Ireland, while making comparative reference to some of Europe’s other disputed and divided regions. Using case-studies such as Kosovo and Serbia; Lithuania, Germany, Poland, Russia and Belarus; Greece and Macedonia, it examines ‘space’, ‘place’ and ‘border’ discourse, the topography of war and violence, post-war settlement and reconciliation, and the location and negotiation of national, ethnic, religious, political and cultural identities. The book will be of particular interest to scholars and students of cultural studies, history, politics, Irish studies, Slavonic studies, area studies and literary studies.

The identity implications have been overlooked from discussions on devolution, which have tended to focus on constitutional, legal and financial issues. In this volume, contributors from the communities under discussion explore the ways in which devolution is experienced and understood by citizens from the devolved regions of the UK. The additional inclusion of a US perspective allows parallels with American federalism to be drawn out. Informed by a discursive/textual/communication approach to identity, Devolution and Identity offers a range of theoretical and empirical perspectives, including both macro- and micro-level analyses of devolution and identity processes. Themes covered include discourse and interaction, national identity, flags and emblems, gender representation, newspaper letters, regional marketing, language ideology, history and culture, artistic practice, minority identities and political ideology. In exploring the impact of the devolution process on both individual and group identities, this book provides a richer understanding of the devolution process itself, as well as a new understanding of the relationship between socio-political structures and identity.

Civilization and culture have traditionally been regarded as mutually exclusive concepts. In this comparative case-study of Northern Ireland, Máiréad Nic Craith explores the commitment of unionists to a civic, 'culture-blind' British state; contrasting this with nationalist demands for official recognition of Irish culture. The 'cultural turn' in Northern Irish politics and the development of a bicultural infrastructure is examined here in the context of differing interpretations of equality and increasing demands for intercultural communication within, as well as between, communities.

This book explores everyday identity change and its role in transforming ethnic, national and religious divisions. It uses very extensive interviews in post-conflict Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in the early 21st century to compare the extent and the micro-level cultural logics of identity change. It widens comparisons to the Gard in France, and uses multiple methods to reconstruct the impact of identity innovation on social and political outcomes in the 2010s. It shows the irreducible causal importance of identity change for wider compromise after conflict. It speaks to those interested in Cultural Sociology, Politics, Conflict and Peace Studies, Nationalism, Religion, International Relations and European and Irish Studies.