Description
Book SynopsisEssays examining how Irish identity is performed and commodified in the contemporary transnational environment, in Frank McCourt's writing, the explosion of Irish-themed merchandising, the practices of heritage seekers and in the movie The Crying Game
Trade Review“Diane Negra has built a dynamic cultural studies anthology from the sophisticated research of a new generation of scholars. ‘Irishness,’ still an attractive or scandalous stereotype, is here understood through reflection on nation, ethnicity, class, and gender—reflection that is in turn animated by the obtuseness of ‘Irishness’ in its newly global situation. Expressing a variety of views through vivid examples, this anthology becomes itself exemplary.”—Dudley Andrew, Yale University
“The essays in this collection are to Irish studies what B. B. King and the Chicago Blues are to the Delta Blues: they draw on an existing body of work, virtuosically extend it, and at the same time electrify it, creating new forms in the process. In this respect, this collection is the book that many in Irish studies have been waiting for.”—Margot Backus, author of
The Gothic Family Romance: Heterosexuality, Child Sacrifice, and the Anglo-Irish Colonial Order“This sparkling, sophisticated, and original collection analyzes such diverse topics as the genealogical quest for Irish roots, Celtic white supremacists, and post–September 11 identity politics. Provocatively, Diane Negra suggests that ‘Irishness’ has become a way for Americans to claim a safe and fashionable ethnic identity. Essential reading for Irish and American cultural studies.”—Elizabeth Cullingford, author of
Ireland’s Others: Gender and Ethnicity in Irish Literature and Popular CultureTable of ContentsThe Irish in Us: Irishness, Performativity, and Popular Culture / Diane Negra 1
“Still ‘Black’ and ‘Proud’”: Irish America and the Racial Politics of Hibernophilia / Catherine M. Eagan 20
The Wearing of the Green: Performing Irishness in the Fox Wartime Musical / Sean Griffin 64
“The Best Kept Secret in Retail”: Selling Irishness in Contemporary America / Natasha Casey 84
“Papa Don’t Preach”: Pregnancy and Performance in Contemporary Irish Cinema / Maria Pramaggiore 110
rish Roots: Genealogy and the Performance of Irishness / Stephanie Rains 130
Ray Charles on Hyndford Street: Van Morrison’s Caledonian Soul / Lauren Onkey 161
Garth Brooks in Ireland, or, Play That Country Music, Whiteboys / Mary McGlynn 196
“Does the Rug Match the Carpet?”: Race, Gender, and the Redheaded Woman / Amanda Third 220
Dead, White, and Male: Irishness in
Buffy the Vampire Slayer and
Angel / Gerardine Meaney 254
“A Bit of Traveller in Everybody”: Traveller Identities in Irish and American Culture / Maeve Connolly 282
Feeling Éire(y): On Irish-Caribbean Popular Culture / Michael Malouf 318
Irishness, Innocence, and American Identity Politics before and after September 11 / Diane Negra 354
Contributors 373
Index 377
