Did Irish Nationalists Have To Establish Continuity With The National Past

TMA04: The Invention Of Tradition.

How selective did Irish Nationalists have to be to establish continuity with the national past?

The Invention of Tradition as described by Hobsbawm and Ranger,

“Is taken to mean a set of practices, normally governed by overtly or tacitly accepted rules and of ritual or symbolic nature, which seek to inculcate certain values as norms of behaviour by reputation.” (E. Hobsbawm, T Ranger, 1983. p.3)

The concept of tradition is the passing down of practices and beliefs from one generation to another. This valuable connection to the past, helps to form personal and cultural identity. Tradition however, can be reinvented and depends upon perspectives of the people at the time.
The invention of tradition
in Irish Nationalism, where supporters drew inspiration from the relevant past to unite Ireland, was used to instigate a rising up against British rule. They did this by contrasting their oppressed present against the nature, practices and morality of Ireland 's 'true form '.

The population of Ireland consisted of rural Roman Catholic communities, poor and facing high rents from British landlords, evictions, and lack of education systems; contrasted against the wealthy British and the minority of Irish protestants that were put in privileged positions by protestant England, meant three quarters of the country was unhappy. The 19th century was one of unrest, seeing the rise of Irish nationalism.

In 1893 The Gaelic League was founded. Supported by Patrick Pearse, an admirer of social radicalism they stressed the importance of reviving an Irish language. Based on little historical evidence the League proclaimed that Gaelic went back to a time free of British influence and gave supreme 'Irishness ' credibility.
The nature of a national language was a powerful political tool in the desire to separate from other nations, “none is more fundamental, none more important, none strikes deeper roots, none is more far-reaching in its result, than a national language.” (Rev M.P. O Hickey, 1898. p.2) Gaelic as a tradition was selected to provoke visions of a proud civilisation in Irish people, to set Ireland apart from other nations and legitimise nationalism as the righteous path to free Ireland. A glorious shared heritage, that definitely didn 't include Britain, and was repressed by its influence.

The Irish Republican Brotherhood was the most influential of three organisations involved in planning and organising a rebellion against the London government. However after failed uprisings in 1848 and 1867, many members opposed another physical force protest unless it had majority support of the people. Along with the Irish Volunteers, the IRB struggled to agree on what Irish independence would look like. It was crucial to win public approval. The Military Council appointed Patrick Pearse and James Connolly. These prominent rebel leaders would revive physical force tradition, making bloody protest against British presence in the 1916 Easter Rising.

In attempting to establish continuity of the Irish rebels with past Fenian rebellions, they ransacked history to justify action in the eyes of the community. James Connollys views that social and political change were linked saw some Fenian traditions selected and popularised as an ideology of an Irish nation. The development of Irish individualism begun, an Irish Identity separate from foreign influence was connected to Irish history to ensure British rule was cast as a threat to the well being of Ireland. Building upon earlier ideas from supporters, for example groups like 'Young Ireland ' that helped promote Irish folk culture as a campaign tactic in the 1840 's: They drew on sketchily recorded distant historical attributes that were strategically romanticised to outrage the public. So Civil wars and unrest and their major roles throughout Irish history, the 16th century religious clashes, the rise of protestantism, Anglo-Irish relations and use of the English language as progress in the Middle Ages was conveniently forgotten. The people needed unity and reminders of segregation were omitted. A myth was created and using literature, theatre and the spoken word, the Nationalist movement advertised. Return Ireland to its authentic state.

The proclamation of the Republic of Ireland 1916 proposed by Patrick Pearse; claims to act in the name of dead generations.
In an attempt to establish continuity with an appropriate past, the rebellious heritage of Ireland, the cause embellished upon history. ‘In every generation the Irish people have asserted their right to national freedom and sovereignty’. (Proclamation of the Irish Republic, 24 April 1916) Pearse believed that to unite Ireland a new society was needed that ensured the development of individualism, Traditional violent protest and Martyrdom was born.

“Irishmen and Irishwomen: In the name of God and of the dead generations from which she receives her old tradition of nationhood, Ireland, through us, summons her children to her flag and strikes for her freedom. (Jeffery, 1999. p.82) Opinions in Ireland changed due to events following the Easter rising. Britains response to the treacherous rebellion while England was preoccupied with world War 1, saw Dublin ruined under martial law. The execution of rebel leaders, mass imprisonments, failed home rule policies, threats of conscription, and attempts to squash rebellion; rapidly transformed opinion of the ordinary Irish people. Along with Pearse and many others, Connolly was executed for his role in the rising, his ideas on social unity were distorted, justifying nationalist positions. Britain itself legitimised Pearse and Connolly as
martyrs.
The 'historical ' grand Ireland, stories of warriors and ancient kings, morally strong and ferocious became more common. Images of Lady Lavery holding the harp, a traditional symbol of Irish nationhood were popular. The Irish heroin called her men to “fight and die to free Ireland.” (Lawrence, A 2008. p.171) Irish wolfhounds and shamrock, the movement gained symbols of a National past, and members.
The rebel villains, were welcomed back heroes. Although unsuccessful in over throwing British rule, or implementing independence, the rising achieved its goal. Ireland was largely uniting, the traditions of Nationalism reached the hearts of the people. The establishment of an Irish Republic, confirmed by the democratically-elected Dáil Éireann in 1919, would greatly influence the actions of future generations of Irish republicans.

The Irish Free State established in 1922 saw a poorer government rebuilding and preserving buildings damaged during rebellion and British retaliation.
Overseen by the Office of Public Works. The new buildings would be made from Irish materials, have Irish designers and be IRISH. The priority rebuilds in Dublin included the General Post Office which held significance for Nationalists and was useful to the city. The 1916 Proclamation of the Republic of Ireland was read here, and martyrs to the cause were immortalised there. Inside is emblazoned with the Irish mythological hero C�Chulainn, and features memorials to martyrs of the uprising. Other key projects included the Custom House and Four Courts, also essential to city life, designed by famous Irish architects. Buildings associated with Britain were abandoned or destroyed, including the 'big house ' of British occupancy and the seat of British power Dublin Castle. The castle wasn 't demolished but neglected, awaiting the decision of future generations that Nationalist traditions may not effect in such a salubrious
way.

Nationalists set themselves apart using history to instigate rebellion and create unity. selecting only the most effective information to pass on to the public regarding an Irish identity, careful to exclude information relating to Irelands past irreconcilable differences. The effects of this were seen for many years following.

Word count. 1200

Bibliography.

Rev M.P. O ' Hickey, 1898. The True National Idea. London. Gaelic League pamphlet no. 1, p. 2.

Lawrence, A. 2008. Ireland: The Invention Of Tradition. AA100 Book 2, Tradition and Dissent. London: The Open University, pp. 151-185.

Jeffery, K (ed.) 1999. The Sinn Fein Rebellion as They Saw It, Dublin: Irish Academic Press, p. 82.

DVD, 2009. “Ireland.” Tradition and Dissent. (AA100 Module DVD) The open University. DVD00521.

Duffy, M, Original Material 2000-2009. Proclamation of the Irish Republic, 24th April 1916. At www.firstworldwar.com/source/irishproclamation1916.htm. Website Visited 4th February 2015.

Hobsbawm, E and Ranger, T. 1983 The Invention of Tradition. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, (reprinted Cambridge: Canto, 1995, pp. 1-14)