Critique Veiled in Folklore: Community Reactions to Cultural Changes in Post-Famine Ireland, 1852-1922
Faculty Mentor
Julie Fox-Horton
Mentor Home Department
History
Short Abstract
The period between the Great Famine and Partition in Ireland, roughly 1852-1922, saw a great deal of religious, social, and political change. As a society steeped in oral and folk traditions, as well as devoted to their Catholic heritage, the lines between religious belief and folk belief were often blurred. The significant changes taking place during this tumultuous time posed a great threat not only to the collective memory of the Irish peoples, but also to aspects of the everyday lives of ordinary people. Most notably, the institution of the Catholic Church in Ireland, especially among local parishes, began to exert more power over the people and condemn their traditions. One aspect of traditional Irish society under threat at this time were mna feasa, which were wise women, living within rural communities, skilled in practices deeply rooted in folk tradition, healing, and in some instances, practices deemed folk magic. By looking at oral stories collected by the National Folklore Commission in the early twentieth century, and accounts prior to this period, this thesis explores stories about wise women. Focusing on their important role within rural communities highlights the fine line between folklore and religion and the shifting perspective toward each of these components and ultimately, the resilience of the Irish culture, particularly in the west, where Gealtachts, Irish-speaking pockets of the country, which maintained a separation from English and Catholic influences.
Category
Art and Humanities
Start Date
5-4-2024 11:30 AM
End Date
5-4-2024 12:30 PM
Location
D.P. Culp Center Room 210
Critique Veiled in Folklore: Community Reactions to Cultural Changes in Post-Famine Ireland, 1852-1922
D.P. Culp Center Room 210
The period between the Great Famine and Partition in Ireland, roughly 1852-1922, saw a great deal of religious, social, and political change. As a society steeped in oral and folk traditions, as well as devoted to their Catholic heritage, the lines between religious belief and folk belief were often blurred. The significant changes taking place during this tumultuous time posed a great threat not only to the collective memory of the Irish peoples, but also to aspects of the everyday lives of ordinary people. Most notably, the institution of the Catholic Church in Ireland, especially among local parishes, began to exert more power over the people and condemn their traditions. One aspect of traditional Irish society under threat at this time were mna feasa, which were wise women, living within rural communities, skilled in practices deeply rooted in folk tradition, healing, and in some instances, practices deemed folk magic. By looking at oral stories collected by the National Folklore Commission in the early twentieth century, and accounts prior to this period, this thesis explores stories about wise women. Focusing on their important role within rural communities highlights the fine line between folklore and religion and the shifting perspective toward each of these components and ultimately, the resilience of the Irish culture, particularly in the west, where Gealtachts, Irish-speaking pockets of the country, which maintained a separation from English and Catholic influences.