Kathleen: The Celtic Knot

Then and Now: Ireland

Discusses what it was like growing up in Ireland in the 1930s. Topics include:

• How Irish dancing and the Celtic Revival were Ireland’s way of reclaiming and celebrating its culture and history after centuries of occupation and rule by Britain
• Irish were divided over the treaty where Ireland declared independence from Britain
  • Unionists wanted to rebuild an alliance with England
  • Nationalists wanted total independence from Britain
  • Ireland was so divided it split into two states: Northern Ireland which remained part of the United Kingdom and the Irish Free State, or Eire, which severed all political ties with Britain
• Eamon de Valera drafted the Irish Free State’s first constitution
  • de Valera believed that encouraging traditional Irish dance, music, and design as well as use of the Irish language, or Gaelic, reinforced Irish identity and was good for the Irish
• Many of the Irish were already poor before the Great Depression made them even poorer
• The Catholic church was a huge part in peoples’ lives, and most children attended Catholic school
• Today, Irish people live all over the world and keep their heritage alive through Irish music and dance
• Irish dancing has also grown in popularity worldwide
• The Republic of Ireland (what the Irish Free State became) is a vibrant country that celebrates its Celtic heritage