Studies in Franco-Irish Relations – serie

This collection of essays explores the concept of patrimoine, a French word used to denote cultural heritage, traditional customs and practices – the Gaelic equivalent is dúchas – and the extent to which it impacts on France and Ireland. Borrowing from disciplines as varied as sociology, cultural theory, literature, marketing, theology, history, musicology and business, the contributors to the volume unearth interesting manifestations of how patrimoine resonates across cultural divides and bestows uniqueness and specificity on countries and societies, sometimes in a subliminal manner.Issues covered include debt as heritage, Guinness as a cultural icon of «Irishness», faith-based tourism, the Huguenot heritage in Ireland, Irish musical inheritances since Independence, Skellig Michael and the commodification of Irish culture. With a Foreword by His Excellency M. Stéphane Crouzat, French Ambassador to Ireland, this collection breaks new ground in assessing the close links between France and Ireland, links that will become all the more important in light of the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union.

French and Irish societies have been characterised in recent times by major upheavals brought about by the threat of terrorism, the collapse of economic and social structures, mass migration, the diminished role of organised religion, the ghettoization of minorities, increased homelessness and a general distrust of institutions. As a result of all these changes, the margins are now beginning to attract more and more people who find themselves placed in disadvantaged circumstances through political upheaval and/or economic or cultural necessity.In this volume, the sociocultural perspective theory which has emerged in the field of social psychology (as put forward by Catherine Sanderson)is extended to the study of life on the edge in France and Ireland. The effects of sociocultural factors on individual and collective identities are assessed in two societies that share a large number of characteristics as members of the European Union, but still retain specificities resulting from the impact of distinct historically shapedsociocultural forces. Three test research areas appear particularly significant to assess change: human rights, marginalisation and exclusion; food and drink on the margins;the links between diaspora and marginality. These areasare examined from an interdisciplinary perspective in the hope of proposingground-breaking hypotheses that might assist us to understand the world we live in.

Sounding the Margins is the second of two publications to emerge from the highly successful AFIS conference hosted by the Université de Lille in 2019. Concentrating on the literary manifestations of marginality in Ireland and France, the essays treat of various texts that demonstrate the extent to which marginality is a recurring trope. This may well be because writers tend to situate themselves at a distance from the centre or status quo in their desire to maintain a certain degree of artistic objectivity. But it is also the case that literary practitioners tend to identify more easily with others living on the margins, either through choice or circumstances. The collection is a mixture of comparative studies and essays on individual authors but, in all cases, marginality is presented as a liberating experience once it is freely chosen and embraced.

This collection emerged from a conference held in TU Dublin at a time when the theme of «New Beginnings» seemed particularly apposite. In the few years prior to the gathering, COVID-19 had brought the world to almost a complete standstill. The need to recalibrate, to find new and more effective ways of dealing with the climate crisis, domestic and international politics, literary expression, and technology, was clearly felt by everyone. The fourteen essays deal with literary figures such as Jonathan Swift, George Moore, Colm Tóibín, Richard Murphy, Seamus Heaney, Michael O’Siadhail, Sally Rooney and Doireann Ní Ghríofa. Other issues broached are the diplomatic work carried out by Seán T. O’Kelly as Ireland’s envoy to Paris when an independent Ireland was seeking international recognition; depictions of the AIDS crisis in Irish theatre; the Neganthropocene in the French TV series Zone Blanche; new opportunities for learning through digital archives; strategies to save the rural Irish pub; innovative strategies employed by Ireland on the world stage, and the use of science to manipulate the French public’s beliefs about COVID-19. The diversity of material and approaches guarantees that New Beginnings will appeal to a large number of readers.

This collection examines the role that adventure has played and continues to play in French and Irish society and culture in areas as diverse as literature, theatre, war journalism, painting, photography, sport and diplomatic dining. The three types of adventure as defined by the French philosopher Vladimir Jankélévitch are reflected in the various essays. Mortal adventure can be found in the chapters on war journalism and painting, sport and in the pioneer work of the first women photographers and reporters. Aesthetic adventure is depicted in the chapters on the work of Joseph Kessel, Colm Tóibín, Colum McCann, Jan Carson, Anna Burns, Paddy Bushe, John McGahern, Gustave Flaubert and Brian Friel, who have all developed innovative and challenging styles in their attempts to depict aspects of the human condition. Finally, Love adventure is a strong leitmotif in several essays also. We are traversing a time of transformation and transition, a time in which climate change, health crises, wars, and the re-emergence of populism as a force across the planet, have brought us to a crossroads in our history. This collection illustrates how the creative and imaginative power of history, literature and art can help us decipher and redefine our place in this new world and assist us to navigate the challenging adventure(s) that may await us.

These reminiscences of a friendship between Graham Greene and the author over two decades offer several original and significant additions to the knowledge of Greene's beliefs, experiences and involvements throughout his long and turbulent life. It is a brilliant illustration of the multiple connections of Graham Greene with Ireland, many of which would not be known to historians, literary critics or the general public. The relationship of Greene with Irish soldiers, writers and politicians as different as Ernie O'Malley, Seán O'Faoláin, Conor Cruise O'Brien and Gerry Fitt throw light on his deep interest in Irish history, literature and politics.

A deft, masterful study of the life and work of Jean Sulivan. Maher makes a compelling case for the continuing importance of Sulivan’s writings in challenging times and illuminates crucial and often neglected intersections between faith and fiction. A book to cherish. — Michael Cronin (Trinity College Dublin) Thanks to Eamon Maher’s tireless work, Sulivan’s output is now reaching the wider audience in the Anglo-Saxon world it has always deserved. Sulivan’s depiction of the margins and the marginalised shows us that this is precisely where hope and salvation are often most likely to be found - a message that finds a particular resonance in our increasingly troubled world. — Grace Neville, Professor Emerita of French (UCC) This splendid book fills out much of Sulivan’s extraordinary life, and those unconventional writings that are both penetrating and disturbing. Certainly for those of us who may have difficulty reading Sulivan in French, The Prophetic Voice is of particular benefit and I warmly commend it to Sulivan aficionados and newcomers alike. — Richard Clarke, retired Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland The Prophetic Voice reappraises the French priest-writer Jean Sulivan’s (1913–1980) relevance as a prophetic voice in France and Ireland at the present moment in time. Sulivan was a well-known and award-winning writer in the 1960s and 70s in France. Along with comparing him to some of the main exponents of the Catholic Novel in France – Mauriac and Bernanos – Maher also draws insightful parallels between Sulivan’s portrayal of Catholicism and that of Irish priest-writers such as Canon Sheehan, William King and Tony Flannery, and contemporary figures such as John McGahern and Colum McCann.

In times of conflict, especially times of war, pressures on freedom of the press, even in societies that value a free press, inevitably increase – and often involve formal government censorship. Support of one’s country or, in the case of internal conflicts, of one side or another – usually, indeed, of the authorities – can be regarded as a duty. Dissent, even criticism, in the press is less tolerated – if tolerated at all. Journalists may become propagandists or mythmakers. The twelve essays in this volume explore issues of press freedom – encompassing reportage, commentary, satire and transnational journalism – in relation to a range of conflicts in Ireland and continental Europe over the past 150 years. The press in Ireland is the central focus of the volume, but the European dimension in many of the essays provides a wider perspective than would be possible in a volume limited to the Irish experience.

The voyage – the quest, the odyssey, the expedition – is one of the driving forces of civilisation. From ancient times to the present day, human beings have travelled through necessity (wars, persecutions, economic and political pressures), by vocation (religious and humanitarian) and for pleasure (tourism, culture and sport). A voyage intensifies our perception of self, leading us to define and redefine our identity in the liminal space where we are confronted with the Other. This often leads to a change of perspective in our attitudes to culture, identity and politics. The sea is an important feature of the geography of both Ireland and France, so it is perhaps unsurprising that voyages occupy such an important place in the history of both countries. This volume explores aspects of French and Irish society, past and present, through the prism of the voyage. The contributors focus on a wide range of topics, including cultural tourism, literature, gastronomy and sport, in order to trace the ebb and flow of the exchanges between these two countries and their continued influence on one another.

When one considers issues that are crucial to the evolution of French and Irish culture and behaviour, it is doubtful if there is anything more pertinent than globalisation and secularisation. Clearly, the experience of these concepts in both countries varies greatly: for example, while the French demonstrate a certain ‘méfiance’ – even ‘mépris’ – towards the globalistion project, which they associate with Hollywood, Microsoft, McDonalds and very little that is positive, the Irish, particularly during the Celtic Tiger years, were enthused by the possibilities it offered in terms of material gain and liberation from the excessive control of the Roman Catholic Church. In relation to the latter, many commentators argue that globalisation brought a more secular mindset to Ireland in recent decades, whereas in France the term ‘laïcité’ is strongly identified with the Republican ideology that dates back to the French Revolution. Clearly, therefore, the theme is a revealing one.Cet ouvrage, qui contient des articles rédigés en anglais et en français, est composé des Actes du 4e Colloque franco-irlandais qui a eu lieu à l’université Rennes 2 en mai 2008 sous l’égide du NCFIS.

Recent studies on the impact of 1968 have focussed on transnational perspectives. The scope and nature of the rebellions go far beyond the stereotypical frameworks that have dominated traditional representations. As the diversity of this ‘year’ of revolt gains greater currency, the case of 1968 has emerged as a critical lens through which to examine the question of transnational collective memories. This book addresses the dominance of the French mai 68 in the way the events are remembered at a European level. Through a comparison with the French events, this study explores how the memory of Northern Ireland’s 1968 has been marginalised and argues a case for its inclusion on the list of countries that make up this Europe-wide period of revolt.