St Patrick Days is supposedly a celebration of what it means to be Irish. However behind all the celebrations, this idea of Irishness is something that had been contested on many St Patricks days. Below are four letters published in the Irish Times around St Patricks in 1912, 1932, 1972 and 1992. They illustrate that often on St Patricks day the idea of “Irishness” is a heavily contested idea. Indeed they highlight the limited use of the word “irish” in explaining the past because it is constantly changing meaning while often encapsulates diametrically opposing views. (more…)
Archive for the ‘St Patrick’ Category
St Patricks Day letters from the past. What it means to be Irish?
Posted in 20th Century, Irish history, St Patrick on March 13, 2012 | 2 Comments »
Saints, Scholars and Pagans? The impact of Paganism on Medieval Irish Christianity
Posted in 5th century, 6th century, 7th century, Catholic Church, Christianity, Early Christian Ireland, early medieval, historiography, Irish history, Medieval Europe, Medieval history, Medieval Monasticism, O Neills, Paganism, Roman History, St Patrick, tagged christianity, conversion, kingship, lug, pagan, Pagan ritual, Paganism, St Brigid, tailtiu on March 30, 2011 | 5 Comments »
In the film adaptation of “The Field”, the parish priest proclaims Christianity to be a “thin veneer” over Irish people, in a derogatory reference both the people and pre-Christian Paganism alike. This idea of Christianity being a thin veneer runs contrary to the notion of medieval Ireland being an “island of saints and scholars” but is there any truth to this idea? Exactly how Christian was early Irish Christianity?
Special: A history of St. Patrick and Ireland’s conversion to Christianity
Posted in 5th century, 6th century, 7th century, Catholic Church, Christianity, Early Christian Ireland, early medieval, Gaelic Ireland, historical tours, ireland, Irish history, Medieval Monasticism, St Patrick, tagged History st patrick, Paddy's day, Saint Patrick, St Patrick, St Patricks day on March 15, 2011 | 4 Comments »
Episode 7
: Around the world on March 17th, millions of people will attend St Patrick’s day parades in memory of the man who supposedly “converted the Irish to Christianity”. He is a figure shrouded in mystery and myth but in this podcast we examine the truth behind the one time slave and famous bishop Patrick. Tune in to hear the real history behind Ireland’s conversion, who St. Patrick really was and how he become associated with snakes and shamrocks….
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Special: A history of St Patrick and the conversion of Ireland to christainity.
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