Chapter 6: Historical Irishness and Becoming ‘Irish’

This chapter commences by presenting narratives on the historical, specific to notions of Irishness. Subsequent to this, Irish history as perceived by participants provides the basis for expressions of social change. Societal change is inferred directly to biological evolution. The chapter continues by uncovering how participants perceive ‘the other’ as lacking historical connection with the nation, across a spectrum of criteria. The following section points out an inconsistency and bias within several of the focus group discussions whereby participants dismissed, in this case American, claims to ‘Irish’ identity based on ancient hereditary links. Progressing from conversation about ancient Irish history, the subsequent section introduces modern Irish history from the perspective of participants. Separately, the subject and discipline of history are shown to have emerged in several focus group discussions.