The end of Irish history? Reflections on the Celtic Tiger

The last decade of unprecedented economic growth has served to transform southern Irish society. In the eyes of most commentators the recent changes that have overtaken the Irish Republic are depicted as entirely benign. The intention of this particular book is to challenge the orthodox view that the era of the 'Celtic Tiger' has been one simply of progress and prosperity. In The end of Irish history? academics from a range of different disciplines seek to offer a more critical understanding of the nature of contemporary Irish society. A number of contributors take issue with the widespread assumption that the advent of the 'Celtic Tiger' has been to the advantage of all. It is argued that while the economic boom has served the interests of the wealthy it has conferred little benefit upon the more marginalised sections of southern Irish society. Other chapters in the text set out to counter the orthodox opinion that the last decade has been one of cultural advance within the Irish Republic. An alternative reading is advanced that suggests that the processes of social change associated with the 'Celtic Tiger' have in fact accelerated the cultural dislocation of southern Irish society. The end of Irish history? is a timely and radical attempt to characterise and evaluate a society in the throes of radical change. The book will be of importance both to people concerned with the politics, economics and culture of contemporary Ireland and to those interested with how the current reconfiguration of global capitalism is changing western societies more generally. Book jacket.

Colin Coulter is Lecturer in the Department of Sociology and Steve Coleman is Lecturer in the Department of Anthropology, both at the National University of Ireland, Maynooth.