A new kind of writing about Irish culture has emerged in recent years, the best examples of which are gathered in this volume. Joining political, linguistic, social and historical approaches to culture, these essays have substantially altered the critical climate of Irish Studies. The Introduction provides a vantage point from which to survey the contemporary critical and cultural currents, while the summaries, glossary and notes for further reading will assist readers who wish to explore in greater depth this challenging and contested field.
