Your Identity or Mine?

While the differences in identity between those in the Republic of Ireland and those in Northern Ireland are represented in different ways, the identity and social constrains of Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland are also set up in different ways. Both sides having different identity and social constraints represents the issues between the sides and also exemplifies how each side has to deal with the different processes growing up and expectations.

In “Quietly” by Owen McCafferty, Jimmy and Ian are discussing the fateful day Jimmy’s dad was killed and how Ian was the one who threw the bomb. Through this informal conversation, the identities of each individual comes out. The day Jimmy’s dad died he was minding his own business, in his own thoughts, at home with his mother. Jimmy had a big life set out before him and the ability to go to university, but after his dad died, all of that went away, and Jimmy essentially fell apart. Ian on the other hand, didn’t know what he was getting into, he didn’t recognize the cause of the IRA and what exactly he was joining. He was too young to drive, but not too young to throw a bomb. For him, he had no other option and he was held within these social constraints.

Jimmy, the Protestant, had a pretty decent life, and his identity came from his family and his future. His social constraint was within the expectation that he would go to school. Ian though, the Catholic, had to join the IRA, without any other option, and he and other members (women included) were required to do certain things, like throwing bombs. Ian was stuck in the social constraint of having to join the IRA, and honestly his identity was lost, as he didn’t know who he was. These two show the different sides of conflict in Northern Ireland, but also humanize both sides. Both had good things coming for them, but circumstance had a different path for them.

Loving or Fighting

Priorities during a revolution tend to get jumbled. Instead of being priorities about your family, typically your biggest priority becomes the cause you’re fighting for. This can cause tension between you and those you love, especially when those you love aren’t exactly on board for the same cause that you are. This is a major aspect that is seen throughout the Irish Civil War and the earlier rebellions. While this may seem like it wouldn’t be a very big deal, it results in individuals viewing actions and their relationships in very different manners, which causes ripples in how these individuals view the cause itself.

In the play “Ourselves Alone” this is a major point. Everyone views love and loyalty differently. However, the men seem to prioritize their loyalty to the cause as most important (Josie too for that matter). Frieda views love and loyalty with having nothing to do with the cause. She believes in loving someone unconditionally no matter what. This may be a rather optimistic view of love, but it is also not very promising. Frieda loves Liam, but he treats her rather poorly and cares more about the cause. The cause is causing issues within relationships even in such a minor way and shows that in times of revolution love as a priority gets pushed down for the revolution.

This isn’t  something thats obvious as you walk the streets of Dublin, however the priority of these causes is. Everywhere you look there is a sign about the 1916 Easter Rising and in Belfast you can still see the priority of the cause with the murals and with how people act. While it is difficult to tell how this affects individual relationships now, or how it used too, it is clear that many relationships weren’t as prioritized because the cause was at a much higher priority.

Identity in Northern Ireland

Identity is key in everything you do, it shapes how you view the world and how you view existing in general. However, when you’re establishing your identity, it is vital to establish up what you are and what you are not. For those living in Northern Ireland, they had to identify themselves against the Republic of Ireland. Like the identity for those living in the Republic of Ireland being established through art, the identity for Northern Ireland was also in part established through art (as well as other means).

For the Republic of Ireland “Cathleen Ni Houlihan” sets up an idea of Ireland, as an old/young woman, who gets men to fight for her. However, for those in Northern Ireland they view the idea of who Ireland is much differently. This is represented in the poem “Mise Eire” where the poem talks about the women of Ireland and how they all aren’t one thing and are different from the idea that was originally set before them. A woman of Northern Ireland can be represented through a prostitute, an immigrant, and other ideas. She is a foil to “Cathleen Ni Houlihan” because they both stand for different things. Cathleen Ni Houlian is representative of the Republic of Ireland and the unification that the young men were fighting for, while the ideas represented in the poem “Mise Eire” deal with the average Northern Irish woman, struggling to make her ends meet.

This different form of identity not only sets the two areas apart, as well as shows that their identity stems from two very different ideas. It also shows that there are two different viewpoints and despite the struggles within Northern Ireland, they still have a form of unification. Identity for Northern Ireland means something different than identity for those in the Republic of Identity.

Home

Home is supposed to be where you are always safe. Where when you shut the door and go to sleep, no one will bother you. But sometimes that safety isn’t always there. Not being safe in your own home is a foreign idea for most, because most of us are safe in our homes. However, for those living in Northern Ireland and experiencing the troubles, their homes are not safe at all, but regardless they are still their home.

Yesterday we went to Belfast, and the tension is still there. I felt uncomfortable the whole time we were there. We went on a Black Cab Tour, and while we were in the neighborhoods I felt uncomfortable to even get out of the car. I knew that within these neighborhoods there was still tension, but people kept on living their lives. Our tour guide himself pointed out the barricades people had on their homes, as well as the steel doors they pull down at night behind their regular doors to protect themselves. I don’t really think I could imagine living somewhere where I wasn’t safe, where every night I had to pull down a steel door. However, these people find that their homes are still their homes and despite the danger, don’t plan on moving. If most of us found that our homes weren’t safe anymore we would move, however these communities strongly believe that leaving their homes would show weakness, and refuse to leave their homes.

This idea is also echoed in the novel Cal. Even though Cal and his dad are the only Catholics left in the neighborhood, his dad refuses to move. Once they are eventually burned out of their home, Cal’s dad emotionally falls apart, showing how much his home means to him. Cal’s dad was never afraid of his home and his stubbornness shows that despite the fear and danger, his home means more to him than danger.

What’s in a Name?

Names, the most basic form of our identities. The all mean something, all define us in some sort or another. However, names of places continue to give a mark to these areas with history, identity, and culture. Normally when a name of a place is changed, individuals understandably become very upset.

In the play Translations, the British have come to an Irish area and are trying to “standardize” it essentially by changing the names of places from Gaelic versions to English versions. By changing these names the British are taking away a source of identity for the Irish in this play. Without Irish identity in names, their culture itself gets diminished as little pieces of their culture slowly get chipped away. It may seem like changing the name of a place really shouldn’t be a big deal, however when it comes to naming places it leaves a mark of not only the culture, but also shows who has been there. Names also reveal a sense of dominance between groups.

Although the Irish fought for their culture from the British, and some things were lost in translation (haha get it), as I wander around Dublin, as well as other places in Ireland, it is clear they’ve solidified their culture. Places are named often with the Gaelic name first, then the English name below. Also parts of the rebellion also clearly shaped Irish culture, which can be seen through all of the things commenting the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising. Furthermore, art has also played a major role in the culture revival, which further shows that while the English tried to take away cultural identity by changing the names of places (amongst other things) the Irish were still able to create their cultural identity and solidify it.

Yeats and Politics

Art throughout history has always been a source for different political outlets. Individuals could share their viewpoints through stories, poems, paintings, songs, and other forms of art. Art is a good way to rally support for your cause and even if it doesn’t get individuals on your side, it at least opens the door for conversation. In most cultures art can be seen in time of change as a strong source for rallying individuals, such as Dr. Suess’ political cartoons in America. In Ireland though a lot of these artistic political outlets were in the forms of plays and poems.

W.B. Yeats was rather influential during the Irish Rebellion and into the Civil War. Many of his poems and his plays are major pieces of Irish history and said something about the politics of Ireland. “Cathleen Ni Houlihan” which is a play about Irish patriotism and fighting for your country was intended by Yeats to show the draw of war and what it was doing to Irish people and families. However, Yeats intention didn’t go as planned and it resulted in more people finding motivation to join the rebellion, than to ignore the rebellion.

Yeats was such an influential individual that currently at the National Library of Ireland there is a Yeats’ exhibit, which displays many of his works as well as works of other individuals that were relevant to Yeats. This exhibit represents just how important Yeats was to not only the rebellion, but also to Irish culture. Without Yeats, it is hard to tell if Irish culture would have been as strong, and without his viewpoints it is hard to tell how it would have affected support for the rebellion. Regardless, it is clear that Yeats is influential for Irish culture, which shows just how important art is to not only politics but culture as well.

 

Designing Ireland

While the disconnect between different forms of Irish patriotism is apparent, as well as different class standings, when it comes down to it, Irish individuals all had a different view for how they wanted their free Ireland to be. Most people involved all had a different perspective of what a free Ireland would look like and often times these envisions didn’t match other envisions. The prospect of a free Ireland opened many doors for many people. and the uncertainty allowed for individuals to envision whatever their hearts wanted, resulting in a harder time banning together when it actually came down to it.

This is seen in A Star Called Henry, most individuals all have a different notion of what Ireland will be like once they are out from British Rule. Jack Dalton, an architect in the book, imagines an Ireland without certain kinds of people and for everyone to have the same ideals as him. This idea is rather unlikely, however, because often individuals within a country all have different perspectives. It is basically impossible to have everyone have the same ideals. On the other hand, individuals like the character Ivan, only focus on the power that will come with a free Ireland. If he maintains his status then he will continue to be a powerful individual, and this is the Ireland he envisions. Although these are only two examples of different designs of Ireland, it is important to note that these different ideas are not singular. Individuals were creating their own imagine for a free Ireland and what that would hold for them.

Experiencing different things in Ireland like multiple tours, as well as my own experiences it is easy to tell that these different designs are still apparent. Everyone has a story about the 1916 Easter Rising and the Civil War that followed. While these different perspectives may not necessarily point to different designs, it does point to different interpretations of the history. Everyone has an opinion, and interpretation of what a free Ireland is, and even now these interpretations differ.

Irish Rebellion Against Each Other?

Class struggles are something that most people either experience themselves, or witness other individuals go through. However, class struggles were something that were evident throughout the 1916 Easter Rising. Although A Star Called Henry is a work of fiction it continues to emphasize class struggles. These class struggles continue to raise issues for the rebellion because if you have differences in what you’re fighting for, then certain steps will have to be taken to reach a unified group.

Ireland was in a situation were she needed people to fight for her. Henry, the main character, was never a rich individual and growing up on the streets gave him a very specific outlook, so while he fought for Ireland, he did it for different rreasons. Henry found a home and a safe place within the rebellion. Two very important things were given to him, shelter and food. Henry wasn’t there at the 1916 Easter Rising for Ireland, he was there because it was where he didn’t have to be poor.

This is relevant because Henry wasn’t the only poverty stricken Irishmen. While those of more affluent classes could worry about the politics and so and so forth, poorer individuals worried about how they would get food, and if it was through the rebellion, so be it and if it was through fighting in The Great War for Britain, so be it. What is really fascinating about this though is how those of higher class didn’t really understand or relate to those of lower classes. When individuals start to loot the stores in A Star Called Henry how to deal with them was an issue and some of those in charge of the rebellion looked poorly upon those looting, leading the group to consider shooting at them. The class struggle is emphasized here because those of a higher class can’t relate to the struggles of those who need to loot to get what they need and are disgusted by the situation.

Henry who has been on the streets before and has stolen himself recognizes this need and fights for the cause of the looters  (and ultimately his side is the one more favorable). Although this rebellion is aching for an Irish Republic, it is also through this rebellion that is clear of the disconnect between groups of people in Ireland.  Winning over the British is one thing, but winning over your fellow Irish is a much harder game to play.

Historical City Streets

Walking the city streets of Dublin is something I’ve grown accustomed too, I know landmarks and I know my way around (generally), but it is easy to forget that these streets were once a major part of Ireland’s history. Last Thursday we did a 1916 Rebellion Walking Tour, which turned the streets I use to get to shops, class, and restaurants, into a huge classroom. While I often overlook this when I walk down the streets in Jamestown, or anywhere else that is historical in Virginia (where isn’t historical in VA really), it opened my eyes to just how central Dublin was to Irish history, and how the streets I’ve been walking everyday are important historically.

After the 1916 Rebellion Walking Tour I went back to my room and read the rest of the required reading for Friday, which was part of A Star Called Henry. It just so happened that the particular chapter I was on lined up directly with the 1916 Easter Rising, with the main character Henry being a part of the rebellion and showing it through his eyes. Although the novel is a work of fiction, things I heard from the tour were repeated in this chapter, and the accuracy furthered the idea that this rebellion was so important because it was such an integral part of Irish history.

While I imagine often times individuals in Ireland overlook the history around them, but now I can’t help but notice it. Irish culture and history was worked for, and it was definitely earned. The streets of Dublin hold major pieces of Irish history and while it may not seem like a big deal the city is a large classroom that allows all to open the doors to the deep and rich history. Even though country’s change and grow overtime, the history remains the same. Get up and get out of your house and breath in your country’s or city’s history. Your appreciation for the area around you will be enhanced when you realize what went into getting there.

Developing Irish Patriotism

When I think of American patriotism I often think of someone dressed in American flag shorts, and some crappy beer shirt, however, Irish patriotism is much different. The formation of this unified Irish identity was a long road, and at first many groups held their own identity, and struggled with coming together.

Within Yeats’ poem “September 1913” Yeats changes his once bright view of Irish patriotism and the beauty it once held, and instead views it in a dark manner, and only noticed the death that this love of one’s country was bringing, as well as the other dark perspectives. Although Yeats’ perspective is just one of the many views on patriotism it draws attention to the fact that identity is something that is always changes and these changes emphasize the changing political field in Ireland.

The changing political field leads to patriotism within individuals themselves. and I find that the rebels who were held in the Kilmainham Gaol had a strong sense of Irish patriotism. When we visited Kilmainham Gaol I truly didn’t know what to expect, the architecture was outstanding, but the story was even more moving. These individuals were being put in jail for many reasons (like simply stealing bread), but some were in jail because they were fighting for what they believed was right for their country. These rebels were coming through and setting up Irish identity just by their actions.

While Yeats wrote “September 1913” before the Easter Rising, and wrote a subsequent poem “Easter, 1916” I have to find that I think he was wrong. While it is quite possible to him that, “Romantic Ireland’s dead and gone.” I don’t find that it was. Romantic Ireland was changing and developing. It was looking towards your country and forming your identity through your actions. The rebels were creating a source of identity and source of patriotism for the Irish even though their intention was just to fight for their country.

Kilmainham Gaol is still a source for Irish identity it seems, and it brings tourists and Irish a like to experience a piece of Irish history, while also allowing individuals a peak into what helped developed a strong sense of Irish patriotism.

A Hundred Thousand Welcomes

Traveling to a city is one of those things that you bring a certain set of expectations to. It isn’t on purpose, you take your stereotypes, your own experiences, and draw upon those things to set up an idea in your head of what to expect. For me, coming to Ireland was no different, in my head I expected a bright lights city similar to NYC, and I was quite surprised to find that Dublin fit a much different image. The city itself is cute and quaint, and I’m falling in love with the cobblestone streets and the abundant amount of odd shops that line the street. This different, cultured city builds upon Ireland’s diverse history and political background, and I think the more I learn the more I find the beauty in it.

It is not secret that Ireland had a turbulent background, not only from being poverty stricken, but also being a British colony. While both of these factors play into Ireland’s history, it is important to note that these factors also influence Ireland itself and how tourists (ugh, gotta live up being a tourist I suppose) and other individuals perceive the country. From what I have experience in Dublin just from the first three days that I have been here, is that it is such a welcoming place, it is so easy to get accustomed to Dublin and the flow of the city. I also have noted that everyone is so kind, those who I have already interacted with are so giving, and it isn’t like cities in America where the hustle and bustle includes being rude. Part of me feels as if this comes from the fact that Ireland was once very poverty stricken, so what they had was each other, however, from what I have learned so far is that although Ireland was poverty stricken, many people were obsessed with money. So my assumptions may be incorrect, however, the struggles the country experienced definitely influenced how individuals act now, and as I learn more, I’m sure my understanding of this will be more developed.

Now that the obsession of money is less noticeable, I think these trials have really shaped Dublin. While I imagine that if Dublin was a big, bright, and booming city like NYC I would still enjoy it, but I probably wouldn’t feel like I belonged so much. The more I learn, the more my appreciation for this country will grow. Ireland has truly been through a lot, but what came from that is a beautiful culture, that I am so grateful to be experiencing. A quote that has stuck with me so far is from W.B. Yeats’ play “Cathleen Ni Houlihan” is, “If they are put down to-day they will get the upper hand to-morrow.” Some things you fight for, and if it is your country, then you fight even harder and don’t give up (take notes America).