Loss of Cultural Diversity Angela Eichmeier 16 March 2014 Sheila Nice Mary Lou Fulton

Introduction The years of 1815 to 1870 were extremely important for the rise and exploration of religious life in Ireland (Hill, 2012). During this time, churches faced challenge to their spiritual authority and their status. With the social and economic changes that occurred during this time, the religious leaders of Ireland tried to introduce their idea of necessary reform and the improvement of the administration structure through disciplinarian of their followers(Hill, 2012). The secular world pushed the churches in a new direction to shift their ideas of education and cultural activities (An Spailpn Fnach). In spite of all this there was a rise in religious vehemence. In Protestant churches a lot can be derived by the evangelicalism and its emphasis on a more extreme side of religious expression(Hill, 2012). After the famous and tragic Famine, and after a large period of sought after reform (loss of the poorest members), Catholicism was marked by religious rebirth and a larger following publically announcing their faith. Religious beliefs were different for each individual and also on their demographics. Religion itself is already difficult enough to define and create a uniform and unilateral singular belief among a large body of individuals. In this time, for some religion was a extremely private matter(Hill, 2012). While it is nearly impossible to separate religion from culture and vice versa, there were many cultural activities that were extremely secular. Religious leaders have faced and are still facing a battle with the leisure activities of their followers based off the culture and these activities are always changing, requiring religion to follow suit(Hill, 2012).

Loss of Language The largest corollary of that was brought due to social change was the major decline of the Irish language which is a huge part in the culture of Ireland (An Spailpn Fnach) . The regions and the social hierarchy where Irish was predominately prevalent were hardest hit by immigration, the Famine, and the overall change to mirror a more modern society (Bhugra, D., & Becker, M.). As many things did, the language was seen as outdated and old fashioned and the people still speaking the language were seen as uneducated and ignorant to the evolving world rather than the previous notion of tradition and culture. (Colls, 2009) English became the new norm in society. Schools were very helpful in this process because their curriculum shifted to the new language over night and new materials like textbooks were reprinted to better reflect the cultures new language (Colls, 2009). The need and appreciation for social change was the only thing at that time agreed upon by Catholics and Protestants. Social Change In terms of culture more generally, a combination of secular and religious influences had an effect on behavioral patterns during this period(Colls, 2009). Farming methods, urbanization, industrialization, and a shift to a more profitable economy led to the greater amounts of leisure time(Bhugra, D., & Becker, M.). In this period, a religious strong-farmer culture that was respected was evolving with its culture by replacing the previous shebeens and riotous wakes. Nonetheless,

weddings and funerals, hiring fairs and markets, the departure or return of emigrants, and harvest homes were all occasions of sociability, merriment, music, and dancing. (Hill, 2012) Dancing has still remained a huge part of this cultures past and present because through dance, the Irish tell the stories of their history. Summary Overall, change to evolve with secular societys pressure of social norms has changed Ireland in a significant way. Through the loss of their language and some cultural religion based rituals, Ireland has proven to be a versatile country that is flexible to the wind of inevitable change.

References An Spailpn Fnach: The Irish Language - How We Lost It, How We Can Save It. (n.d.). An Spailpn Fnach: The Irish Language - How We Lost It, How We Can Save It. Retrieved , from http://spailpin.blogspot.com/2004/04/irish-language-how-welost-it-how-we.html

Bhugra, D., & Becker, M. (0005, July 26). Abstract. National Center for Biotechnology Information. Retrieved , from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1414713/

Colls, T. (2009, October 19). The Death of Language. BBC News. Retrieved , from http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_8311000/8311069.stm

Hill, M. (2012, January 1). Emancipation, Famine & Religion: Ireland under the Union, 18151870.. Multitext. Retrieved , from http://multitext.ucc.ie/d/Ireland_culture_amp_religion_1815ndash1870