Irish History and Culture: From Molly Malone to Nobel Laureates

Christopher S. LaRoche[laroche@mit.edu]

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)Undergraduate Advising & Academic Programs (UAAP)

Independent Activities Period (IAP)January 20, 2017

Copyright © 2017 - Christopher S. LaRoche

Introduction

• Irish history is a controversial subject in many ways. The goal of this class is to try and present the facts as well as we known them and let you draw your own conclusions

• Simple stereotypes and simplistic “right and wrong” answers do not often lead to understanding of the actual events – since they often are more complicated and nuanced than often perceived.

• This is ESPECIALLY TRUE of the history of Ireland

Ireland Basics

• Small island on the fringes of Western Europe

• Been independent nation since early 1920s, the southern part (the Republic) since 1948

• Joined EC/EEC/EU in 1973

• Contrary to stereotypes and myths – has been an internationalized country and culture for millennia

• Real bridge between America and Europe – culturally, socially, economically

Ireland Basics – Map

Ireland Basics

• The Basics– 32 counties– 4 provinces

• Leinster• Munster• Connacht• Ulster

• Ulster is actually 9 counties: 6 counties in Northern Ireland and 3 in the Republic, the term Ulster is sometimes used incorrectly when referring to Northern Ireland

Ireland Basics

• Governed by Great Britain as one entity until 1920/1921 – 26 counties were given self governance (South, Free State and

later the Republic)– 6 counties within Ulster (in the northeast became Northern

Ireland)

• Creation of Northern Ireland was to build ensure a Unionist majority for this new entity. Viewed as temporary option by most

• Total population (6.4 million)– Irish Republic – about 4.5 million– Northern Ireland – about 1.8 million

Ireland Basics

• In the south, largely rural economy until 50 years ago, then rapid growth and expansion in the 1960s and 1970s, bad constriction in the 1980s, economic boom from 1994-2004, crash in 2007, now in 2017 coming out of the EU-imposed debt repayment and many issues from (a potential) Brexit

• In the north, the economy was light and heavy industrial that slowly died during the early 20th century. Economy heavily subsidized by the UK government since the late 1930s and only recovered slightly since the peace accords twenty-years ago

Ireland Basics

• The way of using language is hugely important in Irish English. Extreme use of euphemism and non-direct – “I don’t disagree”– “I am feeling unwell”

• Northern Ireland (official term)– North, Six Counties – Ulster

• 1998 Peace Treaty– Belfast Agreement – Good Friday Agreement (referencing 1916)

Mythology and Romanticism

Mythology and Romanticism in Understanding History

• Often history is seen as more romantic mythical more than the actual fact of what happened

• Particularly acute issue regarding Irish history

• Ireland is THE “poster child” for this view of romantic notions of history

Mythology and Romanticism in Understanding History

• Lethal and combustible mix of literature and history. Sometimes literature being passed off as history.

• Massive emigration – so the “romantic there” is always perfect from a distance and “rose-tinted glasses”

• Ruled by another country for a long period of time – a *colonized* state and strong identity different than Britain

• Irish culture often perpetuated the myth of Ireland as an agrarian world of farmers living off a harsh and bad land

Mythology and Romanticism in Understanding History

• The myth of the kingdom of “Saints and Scholars” who were always persecuted by non natives was prevalent

• Generally a pleasant culture and friendly people. The pub and music culture is disarming and attractive to many

• Especially in urban areas of North America (Boston, NY, Chicago, San Francisco, and Montreal), culture influenced by a romanticized ideal of Ireland. Usually passed down from relatives or stories over generations

• With fighting in Northern Ireland until recently – the idea of the IRA fighter was overly romanticized and legitimized

Mythology and Romanticism in Understanding History

• In your own view, think of your own views and initial thoughts about Ireland. Does it involve any of the issues mentioned above?

• Think of the stereotypes inherent regarding Irish culture

– “Fighting Irish” of Notre Dame– The stereotype of the drunk Irish – St. Patrick’s day– Term “Paddy Wagon”

These are powerful forces that regrettably helped shape a particular view of Irish culture and history until recently – and still exist in various forms

Internationalization

• Examples of all the international connections and how they related to Ireland

Trinity College Dublin (TCD)

Ireland 1600-1691

• Early 1600s started the plantation of Ireland by England – and particularly Northeastern Ulster

• Think ‘Jamestown’

• Flight of the Earls

• Religious turmoil between England and rest of Catholic Europe (mostly Spain) – many connections Spain - Ireland

• 1641 massacre – response to plantation

• Charles I & English Civil War

Ireland 1600-1691

Oliver Cromwell

Not really liked in Ireland

Ireland 1600 - 1691

Ireland 1600 - 1691

• Catholic James II took over the crown of England…Not really liked by the powers that be…

• Glorious Revolution – a proxy European war between English King James II and the chosen “Protestant” to replace him - William of Orange (from the Netherlands)

• This proxy was was fought largely on Irish soil with the Siege of Derry & Battle of the Boyne - July 12, 1690

Ireland 1691-1801

William of Orange (King Billy)

Foundational change

Protestant Crown permanent

Catholics disenfranchised

Flight of the ‘Wild Geese’

Ireland 1691-1801

• Long eighteenth century of peace and expansion in Ireland

• Penal laws

• Bad famines in first half of the 18th century (1720s & 1740s)

• Commerce – and growth of Atlantic world – huge emigration from Ireland to North America

• Emergence of middle-class (Catholic) merchants

Ireland 1691-1801

• Irish Parliament – growth and emergence (Anglican only)

• ‘Colonial Nationalism’ emerges

• Swift - ‘grandfather of an embryonic Irish nationalism’

• As an Anglican in Ireland, he was torn between being English or Irishand really a ‘middle nation’

Ireland 1691-1801

• American and French revolution – PROFOUND impact

• Huge connections between America and Ulster - emigration

• Irish Parliament – growth and ‘legislative independence’

• Growing radicalization in middle class society – particularly with Ulster Presbyterians and Dublin Anglicans – and some middle class Catholics and Quakers

Ireland 1691-1801

• United Irishman

• 1798 Uprising

• Horrific Bloodshed

• Non sectarian turnedinto totally sectarian

Ireland 1691-1801

• Importance of 1798 CANNOT be underestimated

• 1798 set the context and stage for the next 200 years of Irish history.

• The lens of Ireland and who was who (particularly the Northeastern Presbyterian part of Ireland) started a distinct and different path from this time one…

• Scared the hell out of the other Irish non-Catholics

• Sectarian nature of Ireland really emerges from this time

Ireland 1801-1903

• Act of Union in 1801 was a direct reaction to the 1798 Uprising

• Economic Constriction worldwide and in Ireland

• O’Connell and Catholic Emancipation

Ireland 1801-1903

• Great Emancipatoror Liberator

• Monster MeetingsHUGE!

• VERY Catholic

• Non Violent

Famine - Introduction

• 1840s Famine -- ‘The Great Hunger’ (an Gorta Mór)

– 1845/1846 – Government assistance early in the crisis– 1847 – Help fatigue set in and crop was decent– 1848/1849 – Crop failed utterly and famine’s worst instance here – and

European revolutions slowed response– 1850/1851 – Emigration peak

• Total deaths was between 750k – 1.5 million – the true number will likely never be fully known

• About same number emigrated to Britain, North America, and elsewhere

Famine - Introduction

• The Irish Famine of the 1840s is well-known as one of the most awful events in modern Irish history. It is generally agreed that it was poorly handled by the government

• This famine was used a political weapon by later nationalists to demonize Britain and help various Irish causes (such as trying to achieve Irish home rule and independence)

• Ireland actually suffered many famines throughout the years –ones in 1720s and 1740s were statistically more devastating per capita. These happened when an Irish Parliament existed and in a less less politically charged atmosphere than the Famine of the 1840s

Famine High-Level Issues

• Famine affected millions (The potato crop failed in 3 of 4 seasons from 1846-1849)

• Food was in very short supply in certain areas

• Closing ports would not have solved the famine

• Charges of genocide not sustainable – must understand the social/cultural/economic views of time. Even if we today see as very wrong – we must understand those views

• British response was inadequate due to many domestic political issues (such as the Corn Laws, recession, and new British governments taking control)

Famine High-Level Issues

• Rate of Population growth peaked between 1791-1800.

• Emigration was rising rapidly (a constant in Irish society) and famine did not change the pattern - just accelerated it

• Many potato blights earlier, but always smaller and handled by the government relief measures of the day (specifically from the Irish Parliament of the day)

• Ulster – though cotton and linen declined, a growth of power looms existed and an economic diversity and vibrancy existed here unlike in other parts of the country. Ulster had a relatively vibrant economy at this time

Famine High-Level Issues

• The famine was acute in certain geographic areas where social structure was changing

• Ireland was an unequal distribution of income and resources for its people. A very uneven economy that was more obvious by the mid 1820s onward– Certain areas were economically stagnant – Seasonal workers were a large part of the economy

• “Perfect storm situation” – the combination of economic conditions, poor harvest, poor weather, over dependence on the potato, and poor government response helped make this situation explode as it did

Famine High-Level Issues

• View of the famine through the political perspective has lessened only in the last few decades. More recently, a more comprehensive view of the famine has emerged…

• Irish politicians were more concerned with political matters than the famine until it was too late. Young Ireland and O’Connell were at odds during this time frame

• Certain ambivalence in Irish culture about discussing this topic until recently

• The Katrina metaphor is somewhat useful there. Thinking of how that happened and the response has some parallels – obviously not as horrific but useful comparison

Famine of the 1840s - Timeframe

• 1845– Sept – first wide scale potato blight– November– PM Peel secretly orders $100,000 of Indian corn from the

United States to help avert famine. Various relief groups and organizations set up

• 1846– Continue with relief acts– June – Corn laws repealed and Peel government falls– June – Lord John Russell replaced as PM– July – O’Connell and Young Ireland in full breach– Aug-Sept –complete destruction of potato crop. The government

response did not respond proportionally– Nov – Quakers set up Central Relief Committee to respond to crisis

The winter of 1846-1847 was deadly

Famine of the 1840s - Timeframe

• 1847– Feb –Soup kitchens established – May – O’Connell dies– June – Poor Law Extensions/Temporary Relief Act/Soup Kitchen Act

updated – allows boards to grant outdoor relief only if own less than ¼ acre “Quarter Acre Clause”. Started gov. subsidized soup kitchens

– July-Sept – potato crop is small, but ok this year. – Government slows down response as crop is decent and compassion

fatigue sets in – this proves to be a DEADLY LULL

• 1848– Entire year of revolution in Europe (especially France) – July- Sept – spud crop totally fails – The worst of famine starts again – July/Aug - Young Ireland starts uprising and quickly crushed– Cholera and other diseases start and takes huge toll on population

Famine of the 1840s - Timeframe

• 1849– Cholera and other diseases continue to spread quickly and widely – July-Sept - Crop fails again– Famine and disease still rampant and government response minimal– At this point, it is awful, but many have died, emigrated, and relief

efforts in force just not sufficient and stretched beyond limits

• 1851– Emigration hits peak – Between the emigration and massive death – the famine subsides with

improving crop and much less population

Ireland 1801-1903

• Huge emigration to the United States and Canada – led to huge radicalization outside of Ireland – IRB

• Started the process of land re distribution in Ireland• Land distribution to the majority of population happened

between 1870 and 1903• Started the concept and re emergence of Home Rule talk

Ireland 1801-1903

Ireland 1801-1903

• Charles StuartParnell ‘King of Ireland’

• Michael Davitt

• Land League

• Three FsFair RentFixity of TenureFree Sale

• Gladstone & Home Rule

Ireland Twentieth Century 1903-1998

• 1903 Onwards – Northeastern Ireland prepared to avoid being part of Irish Home Rule from this time…

• 1912 – Home Rule passed (‘third time the charm’)NO PROVISIONS FOR “ULSTER”

• 1912 - Solemn League and Covenant

• Planned armed resistance against Britain ‘to show loyalty’

• Imported Guns

Ireland 1903-1998

• Literary Renaissance this time – Yeats, Gregory, and Hyde

• Arthur Griffin founded Sinn Fein (1905)

• Nationalists aggravated by ‘special treatment’ of “Ulster”

• Started arming and many groups here wanting some type of insurrection unless Home Rule – or more – came to be

• Home Rule delayed due to World War I

• ALL SIDES pulled back with the war – ‘cooling off’

Ireland 1903-1998

• World War I

• Huge Volunteers

• Somme

• Conscription debacle

• 1916 Uprising – IRB – not Sinn Fein! The British response

Ireland 1903-1998

• World War I ends. World away from the Home Rule earlier

• Election in 1918 – Sinn Fein wins overwhelming majority

• Refuse to go to Westminster and meet at their own parliament in Dublin – Dáil Éireann (shadow government)

• British refused to grant home rule – and send in troops to Ireland to force compliance

• Led to the “Black and Tans” and “Irregulars”

Ireland 1903-1998

• Guerilla war ensued throughout the country for almost two years – neither side could win outright, but the Irish perfected the art of guerilla war fare - template

• Government of Ireland Act 1920 – partitioned the island between the Irish Free State and Northern Ireland

• Allowed “Northern Ireland” to opt out of the Irish free state, which happened and started the creation of Northern Ireland as we know it today

Ireland 1903-1998 - Ulster

Ireland 1903-1998

• Part of the agreement contained a clause about the “Boundary Commission” to decide later (mid 1920s)

• The partition of the island was disliked, but that Ireland could not be a REPUBLIC and was still connected to the British imperial system was most repugnant to many

• An Irish Civil war started in June 22, 1922 – by former comrades fighting against the British that splinted upon the creation of the Irish Free State

• Bloody and awful, and lasted a year until the new Irish government crushed them – including executing ‘their own’

Ireland 1903-1998

Ireland 1903-1998

• The Irish Free State – become isolated and conservative

• Northern Ireland – became provincial backwater and rigged Unionist state

• World War II – profound effects on both states. ”Cooperfasted partition”

• Bombings in each state during World War II

• Each state solidified itself by its own mythology in this time

Ireland 1903-1998

• “Irish Free State” declares itself a Republic in 1948 and removes itself from the British Commonwealth

• Post War – Ireland is isolated from much of post WWII world until it was allowed to join UN in 1955

• Post War – Northern Ireland becomes more tightly connected with Britain – and enjoys the fruits of the Welfare State – with unintended consequences

The Unionist rigging of the state continued, but with the welfare state there was more equal allocation for all. EXPECTATIONS by the post war generation increased!

Ireland 1903-1998

• The birth of the 1960s was optimistic and world economic growth – including Ireland

• JFK visit to Ireland week’s before his death in 1963 – a landmark event within Ireland

• Growing number of Catholics in Northern Ireland who would go to University (Welfare state) and demanded equal rights within the society

• Geriatric ruling class in Northern Ireland only responded with force and was overtly racist towards nationalists/Catholics

Ireland 1903-1998

• Northern Ireland exploded into violence in 1968-1969 Real fear of civil war in Northern Ireland

• British troops arrived in Derry in August 1969 – initially welcomed by Irish nationalists in the North as ‘protectors’ and that soon soured

• All the demands of protesters were met eventually (British government demanded it), but too little too late

• Northern Ireland was a total police state

• IRA re-emerged as a potent force after (I Ran Away)

Ireland 1903-1998

• Bloody Sunday was one awful episode – Jan 30, 1972. Fourteen murdered, many injured, and all were civilians protesting

• Cyclical violence continued throughout the 1970s as IRA continued to grow in strength and the British and RUC continued to brutalize the local nationalist population

• Britain instituted “Direct Rule” in 1972

• Contemplation of many issues by the British through the 1970s, including outright withdrawal – but status quo

Ireland 1903-1998

Margaret Thatcher

Not as hated as Cromwell, but close!

British PM from 1979

Ireland 1903-1998

Hunger Striker: Bobby Sands

Born in Belfast

Ended up as the face of the ‘1982 Hunger Strikers’

Elected MP of British Parliament

Died 66 days into a hunger strike

Ireland 1903-1998

• Cyclical violence continued throughout the 1980s, thought secret negotiations continued

• Several attempts to reach accommodations all derailed

• Anglo-Irish Agreement of 1985 (Ulster says No & Irish Civil Servants)

• End of Cold war helped move sides toward peace– No ‘good terrorists’– ‘No strategic interest’

Ireland 1998-2010

• Enter Bill Clinton & Tony Blair

• Unionists needed convincing they were not being ‘pushed into a United Ireland’

• Belfast/Good Friday agreement in April 1998 – finally settled the issue of the North for generations

• Today the two most extreme parties in the North have governed together for the last decade

Ireland 1998-2010

• During this time, the Republic was building a strong economy

• By the mid 1990s, Ireland had one of the strongest economies in the world – the number 2 supplier of software worldwide (after the US)

• Economic growth (real) continued through 2001- 2004

• Housing prices went up 300-400% from mid 1990s until 2007

Ireland 1998-2010

• By 2007 – the overheating economy and housing prices were cresting – and the crash started

• Just before the world economy crashed in 2008, Ireland’s banks were insolvent

• Irish government forced to guarantee banks loans – the state was on the hook for trillions of dollars potentially – that they did not have! Pushed on Ireland by the EU (particularly Germany)

• Economy constricted from 2007 until about 2013

Ireland 1998-2010

Ireland 1998-2010

• As Ireland in the Euro, the EU forced Ireland to take loans and sent the country into virtual receivership

• Much of the ’Celtic Tiger’ gains were lost, huge unemployment, emigration skyrocketed, & lost generation

• Elections of 2011 swept out and virtually decimated the main political party (Fianna Fail), but new government kept strict controls per EU requirements

• By late 2013-2014, debts were repaid and Ireland emerged and started to slowly grow economically

Ireland 1998-2010

• One of the last acts of the previous president of the Irish Republic, Mary McAleese, was to coordinate an official visit of Queen Elizabeth II to Ireland in May 2011

• The Queen was warmly received

• Tons of symbolism with this trip, visiting of war memorials, particularly the Garden of Remembrance proved hugely important and historical

• This was in a way a historical conclusion of the friction and antipathy towards the republic of Ireland and Britain

Ireland 1998-2010

Ireland Today and the Future

• Economy is rebounding and Ireland is doing much better after the banking disaster of 2007-2013, but problems persist (underfunded health care, immigration, etc.)

• As a strong supporter and member of the European Union, the vote for Brexit proved potentially disastrous for Ireland – for many reasons.

• How this situation unfolds the next few years could impact so much of Ireland economically, politically, and culturally.

Questions

• Please contact me if you have any questions about the lecture or questions about modern Ireland or Irish history

• These slides and the handout available on Slideshare:http://www.slideshare.com/silvaire65

• Email: laroche@mit.edu or c.laroche@northeastern.edu