9. Language, Religion and Culture

Language, Religion and Culture

Overview

• Focus Areas:

  • Promotion of the Irish language by CnaG and Fianna Fáil governments.

  • The Catholic Church's dominant role in Irish life post-independence.

  • Case Study: The Eucharistic Congress of 1932.

  • Impact of censorship on art and literature in the Free State.

Exam Questions

Higher Level

• What was the impact of the Eucharistic Congress on Irish Life?

• What were the main events of the 1932 Eucharistic Congress and its significance for church and state?

• Evaluate the success of attempts by CnaG and Fianna Fáil to create a Gaelic and Catholic society during 1922-1949.

• Analyze how the 1932 Eucharistic Congress and language and education policies contributed to Irish identity during 1922-1949.

• Significance of the Eucharistic Congress in 1932.

Ordinary Level

• How did the Church and State prepare for the 1932 Eucharistic Congress?

• Importance of the Eucharistic Congress for Church and State.

Re-Creating Irish Ireland

• CnaG's government continuity of nationalist policies from Sinn Fein and the cultural revivalists.

• Idealized Ireland influenced by ancient Irish/Celtic culture and Catholic faith.

• Desire to differentiate from Britain.

• Censorship: Period characterized by suppression against art and ideas questioning these ideals.

CnaG: Reviving the Irish Language

De-Anglicanisation

• Encountering Irish language in daily life.

• Thoughts associated with the word 'Gaeilge'.

Revitalization History

• Definition of 'revive'.

• Revival began in late 19th century with the Gaelic League.

• During the War of Independence, Irish gained status as a patriotic language.

• CnaG’s de-anglicisation aimed at removing British influence:

  • Changing placenames to Irish.

  • Examples include: Laois (Queen's County), Offaly (King's County), Cobh (Queenstown).

CnaG and Irish: Education

• Government publications in English and Irish.

• Competency in Irish required for civil service jobs.

• Eoin MacNeill's reforms in education (1928):

  • Compulsory Irish teaching at primary and secondary levels.

  • Funding and special grants for Irish-medium schools.

• Qualification challenges: only one-third of primary teachers qualified in Irish.

• Irish made a mandatory exam subject in the Intermediate Cert and Leaving Cert.

Modernization of Language

• Creation of new words to modernize Irish, aligning it with contemporary developments.

Fianna Fáil: Reviving the Irish Language

• Continuation of CnaG’s policies in Irish education.

• Irish targeted as the working language of civil service.

• Symbolic Act: Article 8 of 1937 Constitution made Irish the official first language, despite English being the first language for the majority.

• Emergence of Irish writers, e.g., Brendan Behan.

Reviving Irish Culture: The Tailteann Games

Historical Background

• Revived by CnaG in 1924, based on ancient cultural and sporting traditions.

• The Games celebrated Irish culture and aimed to attract the diaspora.

• First revived games postponed to 1924 due to the civil war; opening ceremony involved historical symbolism.

Competitions and Events

• Events included hurling, Gaelic football, cultural competitions, and the closing ceremony with music.

• Declined in popularity leading to a halt in 1938 due to high costs and political opposition from Fianna Fáil.

Impact of Revival

Language Revival Successes and Challenges

• Discussion of the decline of Irish language speakers post-independence.

• Policies focused on education rather than broader revival strategies.

• Continued perception of English as the language of advancement.

Catholicism in the Free State

Cultural Identity Connection

• Pre-independence, cultural identity increasingly tied to Catholic faith.

• Catholic Church’s influence in state governance, especially in moral and educational issues.

Legislative Influence

• Laws reflecting Church values:

  • 1923: Censorship of Films Act.

  • 1925: Divorce banned.

  • 1929: Censorship of Publications Act.

  • 1935: Dance Halls regulated; contraception banned.

• De Valera's confrontation with church officials regarding constitutional influence.

Censorship of the Arts

Censorship Context

• Emergence of new media (cinema and radio) introduced foreign influences.

• Cultural nationalists allied with the Church to suppress these influences, including jazz music.

• Notable censorship example: Liam O'Flaherty's 'Mr. Gilhooley'.

Case Study: The Eucharistic Congress

Overview and Organization

• The Eucharistic Congress is an international Catholic event.

• Ireland’s opportunity to showcase independence.

• Preparatory efforts included significant city beautification.

Week's Events

• Significant attendance and participation.

• Major ceremonies held, including a High Mass attended by 1 million people.

Significance of the Eucharistic Congress

• A pivotal point showcasing the strength of Irish Catholicism.

• Reinforced Irish-Catholic identity: Northern Protestants viewed Ireland's future as a Catholic state.

• Alleviated some post-Civil War divisive sentiments by showcasing unity.

• Recalled Early Christian Ireland before British influence.