Ireland and Irishness: The Contextuality of Postcolonial Identity

Abstract

The porous boundaries of postcolonial studies are put to the test in examining the Irish question and its position in postcolonial studies. Scholars have explored Ireland through the themes of decolonization, diaspora, and religion, but we propose indigenous studies as a way forward to push the boundaries and apply an appropriate context to view the 1916 Commemorations, a likely focus of Irish studies for years to come. To set the stage for Ireland, we explore the existing literature on postcolonialism and Ireland’s place within it first by reexamining the historical narrative, moving into a postcolonial critique of indigenous articulations presented in the context of the 1916 Commemorations. We ultimately look to embrace a discussion about indigenous studies and its offerings to the Irish question. By analyzing the 1916 Commemorations as a celebration of indigenous culture in a postcolonial state, the tensions of reclaiming within certain geopolitical realities reveal an unexplored space for the Irish question. These tensions are smoothed over by a reclaiming of the diaspora, uniting the mobile indigenous to their homeland as part of the ongoing reimaging of the Irish postcolonial identity. Key Words: decolonization, diaspora, Easter Rising 1916, indigeneity, residuality.