Sociological Perspectives on Irish Society

Over the last two decades Irish society has experienced a period of rapid social, cultural, economic and ideological change. From 1994 to 2007, Ireland experienced an economic boom, commonly known as the Celtic Tiger. During this thirteen-year period, prosperity, affluence and optimism stood at unprecedented levels for many. As a result, Irish society became more secular, globalised, consumerist and multicultural. Since 2008 as a result of the impact of the global financial crisis, Irish society has stood at a perplexing crossroads where national and international recession, unemployment, political and social uncertainty, and increasingly social protest can all be found, in spite of a stated ?economic recovery?. This summer school illustrates to students how a sociological lens can help us increase our understanding of the challenges and contradictions faced by contemporary Irish society.