Scottishness and Irishness in New Zealand since 1840

Recent studies of the Irish and the Scots in New Zealand have pointed to the prevalence of social networks for migrants. This book argues that discrimination, even when experienced, was not a precondition for the ethnic consciousness felt by and ascribed to the Irish and Scots in New Zealand. Rather, most aspects of their ethnic identities were positively constructed and articulated. It contends that overarching narratives of exile had little significance in the development of Irish and Scottish ethnic identities in New Zealand. The book looks at the ways in which Irish and Scottish migrants and their sense of Irishness and Scottishness been examined in studies of the diaspora. A sense of being Irish or Scottish is explored, along with identifications such as Highlander, Lowlander, Northern Irish, and Southern Irish, Britishness; New Zealand identities are also considered. The book highlights the range of sources from which we can obtain some insight into the use of and attitudes towards the Irish and Scottish languages and accents in New Zealand. A range of elements including music, festivals, food and drink, and dress is considered to examine the material tokens of Irish and Scottish ethnicity. Religious and political identities were also important aspects of Scottishness and Irishness. A range of national characteristics is examined among the migrants and their descendants in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Views of New Zealand and its indigenous Maori population are further ways in which Irish and Scottish migrants conveyed aspects of their identities. This Book Examines The Distinctive Aspects That Insiders And Outsiders Perceived As Characteristic Of Irish And Scottish Ethnic Identities In New Zealand. When, How, And Why Did Irish And Scots Identify Themselves And Others In Ethnic Terms? What Characteristics Did The Irish And The Scots Attribute To Themselves And What Traits Did Others Assign To Them? Did These Traits Change Over Time And If So How? Contemporary Interest Surrounding Issues Of Ethnic Identities Is Vibrant. In Countries Such As New Zealand, Descendants Of European Settlers Are Seeking Their Ethnic Origins, Spurred On In Part By Factors Such As An Ongoing Interest In Indigenous Genealogies, The Burgeoning Appeal Of Family History Societies, And The Booming Financial Benefits Of Marketing Ethnicities Abroad. This Fascinating Book Will Appeal To Scholars And Students Of The History Of Empire And The Construction Of Identity In Settler Communities, As Well As Those Interested In The History Of New Zealand. 'With an increasing interest in ethnic identity it was refreshing to read such a unique and compelling review. Angela McCarthy provides the readers with a comprehensive and thoughtful examination of how Scottish and Irish ethnic identities have played out in New Zealand since 1840 ... McCarthy's acknowledgement of the importance of context, shifting identities over time and place, as well as the understanding that the processes of identification and categorization are complex and interactive, is important to this book, going beyond a historical accounting and into a work that provides a strong contribution to the work on ethnic relations. McCarthy's work should be found on the bookshelves of ethnic scholars interested in the processes of identity' -- Ethnic and Racial Studies, vol. 34, no. 9 (2011), pp. 1626-1627 'Beyond the clever use of sources, McCarthy's intelligent interpretation makes Scottishness and Irishness in New Zealand Since 1840 a useful addition to the growing body of work on New Zealand immigration. While some readers of this magazine may have preferred the work to be dedicated solely to the Scots, it is the comparative nature of the book that is its greatest strength. Too often Scottish emigration is considered in isolation, but to gain a fuller understanding of Scotland's Diaspora, it must be considered in a wider context. This informative and enjoyable read is certainly a step towards achieving just that.' -- History Scotland (Nov 2012) 'Defining and interpreting the slippery, ever-changing and often self-selecting phenomenon of migrant identity is a challenging task, which has been accomplished with aplomb in this refreshing study ... it forces readers to revisit key themes such as the relationship between ethnicity and discrimination, and the assumption of concentric loyalties.' -- Journal of Scottish Historical Studies, vol. 31, no. 2 (2011), pp. 253-255 Front matter Dedication Contents Illustrations Tables Acknowledgements Abbreviations Editorial notes General editor's introduction Introduction Irishness and Scottishness in the diaspora Categories of identity Language and accent Material tokens of ethnicity Religion, politics, and history National characteristics Impressions of New Zealand and Maori Conclusion Appendix Bibliography Index Using a range of written, verbal, and visual sources, this book examines distinctive aspects characteristic of Irish and Scottish ethnic identities in New Zealand. -- .