Icons of Irishness from the Middle Ages to the Modern World

From majestic Celtic crosses to elaborate knotwork designs, visual symbols of Irish identity at its most medieval abound in contemporary culture. Consdering both scholarly and popular perspectives this book offers a commentary on the blending of pasts and presents that finds permanent visualization in these contemporary signs. From majestic 'Celtic' crosses to elaborate knotwork designs, visual symbols of Irish identity abound in contemporary culture. In jewelry, souvenirs, tattoos, and even graphic novels and massive public murals, Irishness is depicted in its most medieval garb. Looking back to a mythical past, such images conjure up ancient realms of mystical druids, warrior Celts, and pious Christian monks. Icons of Irishness offers a commentary on the blending of pasts and presents that finds permanent visualization in these contemporary signs of Irish cultural identity. Williams considers both scholarly and popular perspectives, exploring the spaces where Irish modernity meets its 'Celtic' past Cover 1 Title 8 Copyright 9 Contents 10 List of Illustrations 11 Acknowledgments 12 Author’s Note 14 Introduction: Icons of Irishness 15 1. Visualizing Antiquity 33 2. Classifying Taste 59 3. Meet Me at the Fair 81 4. Keepsakes and Souvenirs 111 5. Proclaiming Independence, Expressing Solidarity 134 Afterword: Specters and Apparitions 156 Notes 160 Selected Bibliography 196 Index 209 Front Matter....Pages i-xv Introduction: Icons of Irishness....Pages 1-18 Visualizing Antiquity....Pages 19-44 Classifying Taste....Pages 45-66 Meet Me at the Fair....Pages 67-96 Keepsakes and Souvenirs....Pages 97-119 Proclaiming Independence, Expressing Solidarity....Pages 121-142 Afterword: Specters and Apparitions....Pages 143-146 Back Matter....Pages 147-207