{"id":296,"date":"2012-09-22T10:34:26","date_gmt":"2012-09-22T14:34:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.bu.edu\/guidedhistory\/?page_id=296"},"modified":"2012-12-11T18:00:57","modified_gmt":"2012-12-11T22:00:57","slug":"agatha-leach","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/blogs.bu.edu\/guidedhistory\/historians-craft\/agatha-leach\/","title":{"rendered":"Symbols and Myths in Northern Ireland"},"content":{"rendered":"

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(Stamp: 1991, 75th Easter Rising Anniversary<\/span><\/h6>\n
Bronze statue of C\u00fachulainn, O’Connell St, Dublin; <\/span>flickr<\/span><\/a>)<\/span><\/h6>\n


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Agatha Leach<\/h3>\n

Introduction<\/span><\/h3>\n

Irish patriotism, in its many forms and materializations, rests on the rich, historical imagination of her people. It is that inexorably calls on the vividly symbolic and highly mythic culture found across the whole of the island. The purpose of this research guide is to largely a basic starting-off point for a larger study of the history and role symbols and myths so often found in Irish culture, specifically that of Northern Ireland. The emphasis on symbols and myths of the North comes largely from my own personal interest in the region, but also from what is variously perceived as a Northern conflict taken visual form through the use of fairly ancient images. The symbols and myths utilized in Northern Ireland largely mirror those understood throughout the entire island, across geographical, political, and social boundary. The common set of symbols and shared mythological ancestry of people across the island, and specifically in the North, creates a particularly interesting array of historical and national identities. In an attempt to provide a source for those interested in studying such a topic, I have gathered some of the beginning sources from which to pursue the origins of and cultural manifestations of key symbols and myths in Northern Ireland.
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The guide below falls into three main sections. In each <\/span>I have attempted to supply resources which complement each other in providing additional or, where necessary, opposing points of view. T<\/span>he first section provides some beginning points of historical reference, from general historical overviews of Ireland to histories of interested paramilitary groups, whose rhetoric and displays involve many symbols and myths. The second section goes on to outline the basic Irish mythological canon and its many characters. There is difficulty here in presenting such a topic, due to the largely unconsolidated nature of the mythical stories. Original manuscripts containing the legends remain largely unpublished in an accessible, singular work. Thus it is necessary to often handle literary renderings and pieces written through second hand sources. The third section handles the topic of symbols, a subject equally difficult to explore due to its own complications. Irish symbolism is a topic heavily discussed, though often in the context of larger issues and themes. Specific references are buried in larger essays and works on various subjects. However, the symbolically-rich mural culture of Northern Ireland provides a fantastically visual and accessible lens into the field.<\/span><\/p>\n

The time frame of such a study can be infinite or limited, depending on the depth of the study undertaken. The pursuit of Irish mythology naturally draws on the ancient, early peoples of the island. In the same way, symbolism has had a tumultuous role in Irish history, and one which remains highly prevalent to the present day.
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Historical Context<\/strong> <\/em> <\/em> <\/em> <\/em><\/strong> <\/em> <\/em><\/strong><\/span> <\/em><\/h3>\n