More Irish than the Irish themselves
Encyclopedia
"More Irish than the Irish themselves" is a phrase used in Irish historiography to describe a phenomenon of cultural assimilation
in late medieval Norman Ireland
.
The descendants Hiberno-Norman
lords who had settled in Ireland in the 12th century had been significantly Gaelicized
by the end of the Middle Ages, forming septs and clans after the indigenous Gaelic pattern, and became known as the "Old English
" (contrasting with the "New English" arriving with the Tudor conquest of Ireland).
The phrase was coined in the late 18th century by Irish nationalist historians who wished to assert the dominance of a single Irish (i.e. Gaelic) culture. Connolly has written, "The descendents of the English conquerors, it was confidently proclaimed, had become 'more Irish than the Irish themselves'. Today it is recognized that the supposedly contemporary phrase dates only from the late eighteenth century, the Latin form (Hiberniores ipsis Hibernis) sometimes used to give it an authentic medieval ring from later still."
The phrase remains in common use, both colloquially and in the media, in reference to recent immigration and assimilation
in Ireland, and to some degree about some of the Irish diaspora
(for example in The Irish Times
, Sen. Jim Walsh
, Dr. Liam Twomey TD
, or Irish Emigrant) or in conversation discussing the relationship between the cultural heritage of the Irish diaspora and the Irish in Ireland. While still echoing its original meaning, contemporary usage of the phrase usually takes a more open interpretation of assimilation or, in the case of the diaspora, the maintenance of Irish heritage.
Debates of the Oireachtas
demonstrate the age and range of contemporary applications of the phrase. Either when discussing the diaspora:
Or, more light-heartedly, on assimilation:
Cultural assimilation
Cultural assimilation is a socio-political response to demographic multi-ethnicity that supports or promotes the assimilation of ethnic minorities into the dominant culture. The term assimilation is often used with regard to immigrants and various ethnic groups who have settled in a new land. New...
in late medieval Norman Ireland
Norman Ireland
The History of Ireland 1169–1536 covers the period from the arrival of the Cambro-Normans to the reign of Henry VIII of England, who made himself King of Ireland. After the Norman invasion of 1171, Ireland was under an alternating level of control from Norman lords and the King of England...
.
The descendants Hiberno-Norman
Hiberno-Norman
The Hiberno-Normans are those Norman lords who settled in Ireland who admitted little if any real fealty to the Anglo-Norman settlers in England, and who soon began to interact and intermarry with the Gaelic nobility of Ireland. The term embraces both their origins as a distinct community with...
lords who had settled in Ireland in the 12th century had been significantly Gaelicized
Gaelicization
Gaelicization or Gaelicisation is the act or process of making something Gaelic, or gaining characteristics of the Gaels. The Gaels are an ethno-linguistic group who are traditionally viewed as having spread from Ireland to Scotland and the Isle of Man."Gaelic" as a linguistic term, refers to the...
by the end of the Middle Ages, forming septs and clans after the indigenous Gaelic pattern, and became known as the "Old English
Old English (Ireland)
The Old English were the descendants of the settlers who came to Ireland from Wales, Normandy, and England after the Norman invasion of Ireland in 1169–71. Many of the Old English became assimilated into Irish society over the centuries...
" (contrasting with the "New English" arriving with the Tudor conquest of Ireland).
The phrase was coined in the late 18th century by Irish nationalist historians who wished to assert the dominance of a single Irish (i.e. Gaelic) culture. Connolly has written, "The descendents of the English conquerors, it was confidently proclaimed, had become 'more Irish than the Irish themselves'. Today it is recognized that the supposedly contemporary phrase dates only from the late eighteenth century, the Latin form (Hiberniores ipsis Hibernis) sometimes used to give it an authentic medieval ring from later still."
The phrase remains in common use, both colloquially and in the media, in reference to recent immigration and assimilation
Cultural assimilation
Cultural assimilation is a socio-political response to demographic multi-ethnicity that supports or promotes the assimilation of ethnic minorities into the dominant culture. The term assimilation is often used with regard to immigrants and various ethnic groups who have settled in a new land. New...
in Ireland, and to some degree about some of the Irish diaspora
Irish diaspora
thumb|Night Train with Reaper by London Irish artist [[Brian Whelan]] from the book Myth of Return, 2007The Irish diaspora consists of Irish emigrants and their descendants in countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, Argentina, New Zealand, Mexico, South Africa,...
(for example in The Irish Times
The Irish Times
The Irish Times is an Irish daily broadsheet newspaper launched on 29 March 1859. The editor is Kevin O'Sullivan who succeeded Geraldine Kennedy in 2011; the deputy editor is Paul O'Neill. The Irish Times is considered to be Ireland's newspaper of record, and is published every day except Sundays...
, Sen. Jim Walsh
Jim Walsh (politician)
Jim Walsh is an Irish Fianna Fáil politician and member of Seanad Éireann since 1997.-Early and personal life:Jim Walsh lives in New Ross, County Wexford. Walsh attended New Ross Christian Brothers School. He is married to Marie Furlong, they have one son and two daughters. Outside of his Seanad...
, Dr. Liam Twomey TD
Liam Twomey
Liam Twomey is an Irish Fine Gael politician and medical doctor. He is currently a Teachta Dála for the Wexford constituency.Twomey was born in Bealad, Clonakilty in County Cork. He was educated at St...
, or Irish Emigrant) or in conversation discussing the relationship between the cultural heritage of the Irish diaspora and the Irish in Ireland. While still echoing its original meaning, contemporary usage of the phrase usually takes a more open interpretation of assimilation or, in the case of the diaspora, the maintenance of Irish heritage.
Debates of the Oireachtas
Oireachtas
The Oireachtas , sometimes referred to as Oireachtas Éireann, is the "national parliament" or legislature of Ireland. The Oireachtas consists of:*The President of Ireland*The two Houses of the Oireachtas :**Dáil Éireann...
demonstrate the age and range of contemporary applications of the phrase. Either when discussing the diaspora:
Or, more light-heartedly, on assimilation: