Hidden Ulster, Protestants and the Irish language
Encyclopedia
Hidden Ulster, Protestants and the Irish Language is a book written by Pádraig Ó Snodaigh
in 1973. Revised editions appeared in 1977 and 1995. The third
edition was published by Lagan Press.
In the book,'s main point of contention was to confirm the cultural, that is Gaelic
, unity between the Irish Catholic
natives of the north of Ireland
and the Scottish
settlers. Ó Snodaigh argued there
had been a strong tradition of Gaelic-speaking among the Ulster Protestant planters in the 16th and 17th centuries.
Ó Snodaigh hoped his thesis of a shared linguistic heritage would thus improve relations between Northern Ireland's antagonistic communities during the "Troubles" (1971-1998).
The book was strongly criticised by the British and Irish Communist Organisation
, which saw it as a SDLP
-inspired attack on their Two Nations Theory (Ireland)
;
Ó Snodaigh replied to their criticisms in subsequent editions.
The book was also criticised by the DUP
, but praised by Fortnight Magazine
and some members of both the Orange Order and the UVF.
Pádraig Ó Snodaigh
Pádraig Ó Snodaigh is an Irish language activist, poet, writer and publisher. He worked for the Irish Electricity Supply Board, and later in the National Museum of Ireland. He is a former president of Conradh na Gaeilge, the Gaelic League.From 1974 to 1977, he was the editor of Carn, the official...
in 1973. Revised editions appeared in 1977 and 1995. The third
edition was published by Lagan Press.
In the book,'s main point of contention was to confirm the cultural, that is Gaelic
Irish language
Irish , also known as Irish Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family, originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish people. Irish is now spoken as a first language by a minority of Irish people, as well as being a second language of a larger proportion of...
, unity between the Irish Catholic
Irish Catholic
Irish Catholic is a term used to describe people who are both Roman Catholic and Irish .Note: the term is not used to describe a variant of Catholicism. More particularly, it is not a separate creed or sect in the sense that "Anglo-Catholic", "Old Catholic", "Eastern Orthodox Catholic" might be...
natives of the north of Ireland
Ulster
Ulster is one of the four provinces of Ireland, located in the north of the island. In ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for administrative and judicial...
and the Scottish
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
settlers. Ó Snodaigh argued there
had been a strong tradition of Gaelic-speaking among the Ulster Protestant planters in the 16th and 17th centuries.
Ó Snodaigh hoped his thesis of a shared linguistic heritage would thus improve relations between Northern Ireland's antagonistic communities during the "Troubles" (1971-1998).
The book was strongly criticised by the British and Irish Communist Organisation
British and Irish Communist Organisation
The British and Irish Communist Organisation was a small but highly influential group based in London, Belfast, Cork, and Dublin. Its leader was Brendan Clifford. The group produced a great number of pamphlets, and many regular publications including, The Irish Communist and Workers Weekly in...
, which saw it as a SDLP
Social Democratic and Labour Party
The Social Democratic and Labour Party is a social-democratic, Irish nationalist political party in Northern Ireland. Its basic party platform advocates Irish reunification, and the further devolution of powers while Northern Ireland remains part of the United Kingdom...
-inspired attack on their Two Nations Theory (Ireland)
Two Nations Theory (Ireland)
The Two Nations Theory holds that the Ulster Protestants are a distinct Irish nation.According to S J Connolly's Oxford Companion to Irish History The Two Nations Theory holds that the Ulster Protestants are a distinct Irish nation.According to S J Connolly's Oxford Companion to Irish History The...
;
Ó Snodaigh replied to their criticisms in subsequent editions.
The book was also criticised by the DUP
Democratic Unionist Party
The Democratic Unionist Party is the larger of the two main unionist political parties in Northern Ireland. Founded by Ian Paisley and currently led by Peter Robinson, it is currently the largest party in the Northern Ireland Assembly and the fourth-largest party in the House of Commons of the...
, but praised by Fortnight Magazine
Fortnight Magazine
Fortnight is a monthly political and cultural magazine published in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The magazine was founded in 1970 and aims to provide analysis and criticism of politics, culture, and the arts from those from both inside and outside the local mainstream. Fortnight is read by and...
and some members of both the Orange Order and the UVF.
Further reading
- Writers and Protestants in the North of Ireland, Barry Sloan, 2000.
- In Search of Ireland, Brian Graham, 1997.
- Presbyterians and the Irish Language, Roger Blaney, 1996.
- Last of the Celts Marcus Tanner, 2004.