By Elizabeth Gillen
The recent developments in the Irish political landscape have once again brought to the forefront the emergence of a long-held pride with Irish nationalism. Ireland’s cultural revival is grappling with the rise of the far right in Ireland and further afield. Irish nationalists are working to ensure that the lines do not get blurred between politics and culture while fighting to keep a potential united Ireland on the table.
The Roots of Irish Nationalism
Irish nationalism is more than a political identity, it is a call for a revival of the Irish identity. To understand its nuances, we first must understand the history of Irish nationalism. The terms ‘Irish Republican’ and' Irish Nationalist’ are often used interchangeably to encompass a 800-year struggle for Irish independence from British rule, dating from the Norman times. The first nationalist publication emerged in 1842 with a newspaper titled ‘The Nation’. This provided a place for discussions on Irish nationalism and politics to flourish. From this the nationalist movement grew, leading to Irish home rule in 1920 and full independence for the 26 southern counties of Ireland in 1940. However, the six counties of Northern Ireland still struggled with tensions between the nationalists (those who wished for a united Ireland) and the unionists (those who wished to remain in the United Kingdom). This tension led to a sectarian conflict in Northern Ireland called ‘The Troubles’, resulting in a death toll of 3720 people, 1533 of those being under the age of eighteen. This tension in Northern Ireland continues to this day, despite the Good Friday Agreement ending the thirty years of violence. Events such as Brexit in which Northern Ireland agreed to remain, raise again the question of a united Ireland.
Election 2024: Shifting Political Landscapes and Rising Discontent
Hopes for Irish nationalism were high during the national elections at the end of 2024. These elections called to elect a new government. Historically, power has been shared in Ireland by the two Christian, centre-right parties called Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, referred to colloquially as FF/FG. A disillusion has occurred with these parties, especially due to the rising housing crisis that has caused young people to emigrate from Ireland in search of more affordable living. This in turn has led to increasing support for the left-wing party Sinn Fein, which has been historically criticised due to its history of being the political wing of the Irish Republican Army (IRA). In the lead up to the elections and would Sinn Fein win a majority government, they promised to tackle the housing crisis and appease the issues of young Irish people. Sinn Fein also promises a united Ireland as one of its major priorities. The elections ended with Fianna Fáil taking the majority, and with a potential coalition yet to be agreed upon. Mary Lou McDonald, the president of Sinn Fein, claims that a Sinn Fein majority is needed to achieve a united Ireland.
A United Ireland and its Challenges and Opportunities
The feasibility of a united Ireland contains several factors to consider. Historically, its closest and most recent precedent is the reunification of East and West Germany is considered. This reunification took the effort of several international negotiations and bilateral treaties. A similar amount of negotiation will be needed to decide how exactly the Republic of Ireland would adopt the six northern states. There also exist questions of the EU, of which Northern Ireland is currently not a part, that is obligating the EU a seat in the discussion. A new constitution that encompasses the needs of the entire island is also something to be strongly considered, with that, potentially a new flag and anthem. These adjustments would be a financial strain on the Irish state. Despite these costs, both the majority of citizens of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland are now in support of a united Ireland. It is up to question whether or not the new coalition that is due to be formed in January will prioritise it.
The Cultural Revival of the Language
Young Irish activists continue to support Irish Nationalism, particularly the revival of the Irish language and culture. The Irish language has suffered historically due to British rule and has fallen from millions to thousands of speakers. The education of Irish in schools in the modern era also falls short, despite it being a compulsory subject, with criticism that it is taught badly. Despite these struggles, there is an increase in revitalisation of the language in pop culture and everyday life. A recent trend on TikTok involves people making an effort to include one or two Irish words in daily conversation, named ‘Cupla Focal’ (a few words). With the Irish rap band Kneecap releasing an Irish language movie that has become a global phenomenon, the Irish language is taking the forefront in modern discussion. Even here in Maastricht, posters advertising Irish speaking societies are plastered across shop windows. This is a clear example of the Irish diaspora taking care to maintain their language abroad.
Balancing Pride and Politics
It is particularly important to the modern Irish nationalists for there to be a clear distinction between the revival of Irish culture and nationalist political rhetoric. This is understandable due to the global spread of nationalism and far right politics. Ireland is not lacking a rise in far-right sentiment itself, with far-right parties such as Aontú gaining supporters in recent years, who are notable for their anti-immigration protests with the slogan 'Ireland is Full'‘. This battle between the two evolving sides of Irish nationalism is sure to grow more dissident with the ever changing political landscape of the nation.
The Path Towards Unity
Young nationalists have once again expressed their wishes for an Irish cultural renewal, one that includes the entire island. Yet, only time will tell whether or not the new government will make any steps towards a united Ireland. Hopes are high, former Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Leo Varadkar is confident that a united Ireland will happen in his lifetime.
Sources: Encyclopaedia Britannica, Conflict Archive on the Internet (CAIN), Ireland.ie (Department of Foreign Affairs), BBC News, Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, The Irish Times, Trinity News, Sinn Féin, Maynooth University, The Irish News, Ask About Ireland, Oxford University Press, Aontú, The Telegraph
By Elizabeth Gillen
Edited by Roos Hoogesteger & Karla Kohlhaas
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