Chapter 8: Constructing Ethnicity, ‘Race’ and the Irish Nation

This chapter explores ‘race’, ethnicity and the nation. The initial section interconnects perceptions of the historical with notions of ‘race’ and ethnicity as homogeneous. Participants express the requirement to conform to perceived norms so as to be accepted within the dominant norm of Irish society. Linking back to Chapter 6, within one focus group, discussion emphasis is placed on temporal exposure and the acquisition of a sense of collective commonality. There was a slight aside, which is given further elaboration in the conclusion, Chapter 10, in relation to the use of third person plural pronouns. The subsequent section contrasts the notion of ‘race’ as an imaginary against ‘race’ as a reality of representation. Across several conversations, a form of reification fallacy is exposed in relation to the blurring of both ethnic and racial distinctions. The Irish are distinguishable, not only because they are perceived as ‘white’ or ‘Caucasian’, but further differentiated and defined as a ‘race apart’ that is ‘spotted’ or ‘freckled’.