This research theme examines the transformations that have shaped contemporary Irish history since 1968. During this period, the island experienced a political conflict, rapid secularisation and a transformation its economic fortunes. It became a member of the European Union, shifted from a society shaped by emigration to one increasingly defined by immigration, especially during and after the Celtic Tiger years of the 1990s, when Dublin emerged as a hub for multinational corporations. It has also rapidly urbanised and found a role in a post-industrial economic system.
Irish culture has evolved in response to both internal developments and external influences. Diasporic communities, particularly Irish Americans, have played a major role in shaping global perceptions of Ireland, often perpetuating idealised or stereotypical images. Meanwhile, the experience of travel and media advancements have expanded cultural exchange and have positioned Ireland within a shared sense of European and global identity.
At the same time, the Irish state has maintained a strong commitment to cultural preservation, with particular emphasis on the Irish language. In addition, the role of Catholicism in an increasingly post secular society has prompted debates around spirituality, identity, and tradition. The Troubles in Northern Ireland during the late 20th century complicated and reinforced the island’s political and cultural dynamics.
The research theme seeks to investigate these overlapping processes of change, with a focus on economic, cultural, and religious transformations in modern and contemporary Ireland. Particular attention is given to transnational influences, cultural circulation, and the evolving narratives of Irish identity within a global context. Areas of current interest include the transnational connections created by paramilitarism in Northern Ireland and the sudden secularisation of the Republic.
The project is led by Michael Brown and Cecilia Brioni and is working with an interdisciplinary group of scholars. The theme is also sponsoring the following internship in 2025/2026:
‘Collecting the Troubles’
In 2014 the Research Institute of Irish and Scottish Studies was left a substantial book collection in the will of Dr Bob Purdie. Purdie was a historian and political activist, being heavily involved, successively, in the International Marxist Group, the Labour Party and, from 1988, the SNP. A Christian Socialist, he was engaged with the Corrymeela Community for peace and reconciliation. As the Scotsman noted in its obituary, Purdie played ‘an important role in the Irish civil rights movement, becoming its most respected chronicler.’ (8 December 2014).
Purdie’s book collection reflects this remarkable life, covering a wide range of subjects: political theory, Scottish history and politics, and Irish historical, religious and politics matters. This internship looks to identify and explore the material Purdie collected which relates to the Irish Troubles.