The Study of Religions in Ireland: Past, Present and Future

About the Author

Brendan McNamara is a lecturer in the Study of Religions at University College Cork, Ireland.

Hazel O'Brien is a lecturer in Sociology at South East Technological University, Ireland.

Product Description

This book provides a comprehensive and field-defining examination of the study of religions in Ireland. By bringing together some of the foremost experts on religions in an Irish context, it critically traces the development of an important field of study and evaluates the thematic threads that have emerged as significant.

It thereby offers an assessment of contemporary religions in Ireland and their relationships to society, culture, economics, politics and the State. Contributors make connections between topics as diverse as Ireland's Revolutionary Period, the formation of the Irish State, the decline of Catholicism, the rise of migrant religions and New Religious Movements and the effects of secularisation on religions and society.

This book emphasizes the interdisciplinary nature of the study of religions whilst illustrating the coherent themes that have shaped the development of the field in Ireland, making it unique.

Review

“For centuries, religion has played a major role in Irish society but The Study of Religions in Ireland is the first critical study dealing with the different religions in Ireland in the past and at present. This volume is required reading for anyone seeking to understand the fundamental changes that Irish society is undergoing in relation to religion at large.” ―Tuula Sakaranaho, Emerita Professor of the Study of Religions, University of Helsinki, Finland

“This book is a landmark publication, which offers a state-of-the-art survey of religions in Ireland and an ambitious agenda for future work in this increasingly important field. It will be essential reading for scholars, practitioners and journalists.” ―Crawford Gribben, Professor of History, Queen's University Belfast, UK

“15 years after the establishment of the first Study of Religions Department in Ireland at University College Cork, this volume offers a highly valuable snapshot of current research on Ireland's diverse religious field and promises to inspire more research in the future.” ―Oliver Scharbrodt, Professor of Islamic Studies, Lund University, Sweden

“This book makes and holds space for a diverse and nuanced discussion on the dynamics of religion in Irish life, and the relationships between religion and identity, gender, community life and social and political history. It will be an important touchstone for scholars across a number of disciplines that engage with the continuing significance of religion in contemporary life, as well as the material, cultural and social heritages of religion in Ireland.” ―Niamh NicGhabhann, Senior Lecturer in History, University of Limerick, Ireland