Home and Away: Ireland, Poland and Others

The migrations into the Celtic Tiger (Ireland during its economic boom) seems to have occurred in two phases. The first (ca. 1996 to 2002) saw incomers who were proud of their culture of origin and curious about the Irish tradition. It was followed by a phase of 'bling' (2002 to the collapse in 2008) characterized by fast money and little cultural interchange. Society in general seemed more superficial and materialistic, and literature failed to embrace the 'Other' as prelude to new fusions. This is surprising, given that many Irish classics from Swift and Edgeworth to Joyce and McGahern celebrate the encounter with the 'Other. Kiberd argues that Irish myths and experiences might still be reconfigured by incomers, even as their cultural narratives are enriched by their encounter with Ireland. The fusion of the various discursive traditions might lead to new forms in literature and culture, as well as a renewal of consciousness.