Research Topic

For my research topic, I am extremely interested in examining the magical and the supernatural as it pertains to Irish music, poetry, and storytelling. How large of a role does the supernatural/magic play in each of these genres? Why is it so important? What comparisons can I find between the subjects of Irish music, poetry, and storytelling that are similar to American music, poetry, and storytelling? These are some of the questions that I wish to answer by studying this topic in more detail. I plan to use sources from the Texas Tech library including books, personal accounts, and possibly musical recordings (if they can be found). Naturally, I will also utilize any other sources that I happen to come across outside of our own library. More specifically, I would like to select at least one example from each genre so that I can draw comparisons between them. More specifics include an interest in the legends of Tir na nOg, the ideas of triads, and the mythological cycle. As I continue with my research, I expect to find more subjects of interest that will more clearly define my thesis.

topic information

I am interested in examining the ways in which the mass media has contributed to both a world perception and an internalized (Irish) perception of Irish culture/identity. I am curious to see whether the ways in which we view the Irish are biased by their portrayal in various media elements such as tv/film/magazines/newspapers. Likewise, I want to know if the Irish in turn exaggerate or downplay their culture in response to this? I am also curious to see if there is a difference between the way(s) in which the Irish speak about/portray themselves versus "outside" commentators. Is their tendency to be more truthful or more "fantastic?" Are they more likely to present an accurate picture and understanding of their culture or are they equally biased in their own manner? This sort of also brings to light the idea of "contestation of ownership," at least in terms of the Irish culture (as we perceive it) as really "belonging" to the Irish or something that has been foisted upon them and subsequently adopted by the people. Also, what is important in their culture and why? Is their portrayal of this importance a facade or truly existant? Has the need for their own "identity" caused them to accept views, etc. that possibly might not have achieved such status or importance if not influenced by the outside world? I think this is a valuable question to be considered since I believe strongly that their culture has survived (intact) because it remains within a tangible setting at all times.

My source material will probably vary widely. I am hoping to have some interviews with people I know who have lived both in Ireland and within the "greater Western world," in the hopes that they can provide a link between both worlds or offer experiences that argue for or against the above questions. I am sure I will have various films/newspaper articles/television commercials etc. that will play a role in the development of this topic. And of course, I cannot forget the large stack of books and articles which I never fail to request of the very obliging Interlibrary Loan folks. :)

Research topic

When discussing the topic of Irish dance, many avenues can be pursued in different directions ranging from early history to present day interactions. However, as I read more and more about the origins of Irish dance, I cannot help but be fascinated by the fact that the essence and passion of dance occurs in the rural and poor parts of Ireland. The dancing masters are key evidence to the process of how the Irish who perhaps were not connected with the cultural renaissance of mainland Europe created their own entertainment and preservation of "identity." Dances happened everywhere; in the courts, the kitchens, the fields. Yet, styles today of Irish dance are probably most influenced by the methods used by the dancing masters. Even large scale competitions are devised from the simple dance-offs that were once held between two rivaling dance masters. Although the tactics and work of the dance masters linger today, the reality of how they affected rural society is intriguing indeed.
For this project, I intend on providing evidence and examples of the steps taught, how they were taught, and what they meant to those learning them. I also want to include the similarities experienced between the original rural societies in Ireland and the diaspora that affected several sects of American culture, particularly the Appalachia. The impoverished mountain communities, like the Irish, had to develop their own type of entertainment whether to distract their minds from the dim lifestyles of hard labor or to just have fun. The Appalachian development evolved separately from the Irish dance; however, in terms of dance, many steps were borrowed from the Irish hard and soft shoe along with other moves from African-American folk dances. These comparisons will be presented more in performance than in research.

There certainly are a variety of sources I can turn to for information. Thus far, I have done most of my research through articles and books. I do hope, however, to obtain personal accounts from Irish dancers and Appalachia cloggers regarding their opinions of how traditional instruction by a teacher or by relative has helped secure their heritage and participation of cultural "being."

corey's research topic

for my project, i'm studying the relationship between storytelling and music in the joe heaney, bobby casey, andy mcgann 1950s(ish) era. i know that there is a storytelling tradition, and that it has its own performance pracice like that of the music, some of both we have touched on in class discussions. i think it would be fascinating examine how players choose certain stories to go with specific tunes, or songs, to create the mood they want to convey, and then how each different performer chooses which story for which song, or tune, and how they differ from each other. i'm mostly looking for recordings right now in my stage of research, but also can't resist looking at anything that appears promising.

interesting short amateur documentary on Irish dance in America

Interesting. Modern Irish step-dance is a very competition-oriented art form; this an outgrowth of cultural arbiters' conviction that the way to create interest was to formalize and arrange competitions. A lot of people think this was a bad idea; sounds like the young woman making the documentary also thinks so.

On youTube: