Reflects recent social developments with new chapters on Civil Society, Popular Culture and Everyday Life Has a strong central argument related to the nature of Irish society Looks at Ireland's positioning in a globalising world Considers a wide range of aspects of the social structure and culture Written in an accessible and interesting style Includes a comprehensive bibliography of Irish and overseas references Suitable for Sociology courses in Irish universities and Institutes of Technology at both undergraduate and postgraduate level including general arts programmes, applied social studies, social studies/social work.

These essays on health and illness from a sociological perspective, look at health and health models within social and political contexts. They are divided into theoretical and general issues, inequalities in health care, health and aspects of life-course, mental health and alcoholism.

Starting from the assumption that the Celtic Tiger has transformed Irish society and that there is indeed a new Ireland, this text covers all the topics that would be expected in an introductory text for sociology and Irish studies students, as well as in-depth topics for more advanced courses.

An accessible introduction to the theory and practice of economicx with an Irish and European dimension. A revised and updated euro edition, written specifically for the Irish student market, this edition is suitable for those taking economics at degree, diploma or certificate level. Provides the student reader with a solid theoretical grounding in both micro- and macroeconomics. Contains two new chapters: 'Micro Economic Policy Issues in Ireland' which examines issues such as privatisation, competition and deregulation; and 'Economic Growth and the Irish Economy' which looks at the phenomenal growth of the 'Celtic Tiger'. Current, topical European issues included such as the EMU, the ECB and the euro. New case studies used throughout, which aid students when applying economic theory to real-life situations. Includes a complete set of questions at the end of each chapter. An accompanying website contains solutions to all end-of-chapter questions as well as acetates and weblinks which can be downloaded by lecturers.

Focusing on Irish speakers in Catholic West Belfast, this ethnography on Irish language and identity explores the complexities of changing, and contradictory, senses of Irishness and shifting practices of 'Irish culture' in the domains of language, music, dance and sports. The author’s theoretical approach to ethnicity and ethnic revivals presents an expanded explanatory framework for the social (re)production of ethnicity, theorizing the mutual interrelations between representations and cultural practices regarding their combined capacity to engender ethnic revivals. Relevant not only to readers with an interest in the intricacies of the Northern Irish situation, this book also appeals to a broader readership in anthropology, sociology, cultural studies, history and political science concerned with the mechanisms behind ethnonational conflict and the politics of culture and identity in general.

In Cattle Lords and Clansmen, Nerys Patterson provides an analysis of the social structure of medieval Ireland, focusing on the pre-Norman period. By combining difficult, often fragmentary primary sources with sociological and anthropological methods, Patterson produces a unique approach to the study of early Ireland—one that challenges previous scholarship. The second edition includes a chapter on seasonal rhythm, material derived from Patterson’s post-1991 publications, and an updated bibliography. The second edition includes a chapter on seasonal rhythm, material derived from Patterson’s post-1991 publications, and an updated bibliography.