When we look around today's globalised world, there is one simple question, are the Irish different and, if so, how and why. This book answers these questions through a series of twenty three short essays about the nature of contemporary Irish culture and society and the transformations that have taken place in the last fifty years. The topics covered include the nature of Irish nationalism and capitalism, the Irish political elite, the differences in the Irish family, the nature of Irish Catholicism, the upsurge in immigration, the Irish diaspora, the Irish language, sport, music and many other topics. The essays are short and written in a clear and accessible manner by scholars from within the human sciences who are international experts in their disciplines. The authors provide challenging insights into the ways in which we see and understand Ireland and what it is to be Irish. They avoid theoretical jargon and dense empirical data.They challenge the traditional issues that have been addressed in Irish studies and the ways that have been used. The final three essays provide an analysis and critical reflection of the nature of Irish studies.

The book will be bought by those who have an academic and personal interest in Irish Studies. It will be attractive to those who are not familiar with the theories and methods of the human sciences and how they can shine a light on the transformations that have taken place in Ireland. Tom Inglis, the editor of the collection, is a sociologist who has written extensively on Irish culture and society.