First is geography and climate. To a Texan, Eire seems very small: the greatest distance N-S is 295 miles; E-W is 171. Its coastline has so many zigs and zags that it extends for 2,000 miles. As a small island located within easy sailing distance of several Scandinavian countries as well as England, Spain, and France, it was often invaded. Enough of the invaders stayed behind and intermarried with the native Celts to make a diverse mixture of people. Prehistoric glaciers have given Ireland a beautiful and varied landscape. The weather is temperate all year round (because of warm ocean waters from the Gulf Stream), and the landscape stays green.
The past, or the memory of the dead, is an important cultural and political source for the Irish. In the countryside are many ancient ruins and relics from the past, like the huge stone crosses that dot the countryside (erected in the 10th century by traveling monks). Modern Ireland has drawn heavily on the history and legends of its past in creating a proud heritage for the present. Compared with Americans, the Irish general population nurtures a deeper, stronger sense of history.
Possession or ownership of land is the highest priority of Irish life. Only a day’s drive across, Ireland seems too small to contain its epic and clamorous history of struggle for possession. A succession of early invaders—Celts, Vikings, Normans—were followed by 700 years of English domination. Today there are two separate nations: British-controlled Northern Ireland (6 counties) and the Republic of Ireland (26 counties).
Religion, and especially the Roman Catholic Church, is a very important part of Irish culture and society. Today over 90% of the population in the Republic is nominally Catholic. For most of Ireland’s history, the Catholic church has been closely identified with the Irish people.
Because the Church of England (Prot.) was the official state church as long as the English dominated,Catholic priests were persecuted, sometimes holding mass out in open fields because they weren’t allowed to have a church building or hold public services. Consequently, when the Irish Free State was created in 1922, the Catholic Church established itself strongly and had several of its doctrines written into the constitution. The current movie “Philomena” reflects the dominant role of the church in Irish life during the late 20th century.
Even before the Potato Famine of 1845-50 forced millions to leave Ireland, large numbers of Irish immigrants were coming to the US, and that continued for decades. They brought their love of stories and music, and many wound up in the American South where they contributed greatly to the cultural riches of our region.
A retired English professor, Dr. Jerry Lincecum teaches classes for older adults who want to write their life stories. He welcomes your reminiscences on any topic: jlincecum@me.com