Changes in society in the Republic of Ireland

This article is an overview of significant shifts over time in the overall personal and cultural values of Irish society to do with attitudes and behaviour in such areas as sexual and religious practice. It does not cover non-value changes in administration such as our membership of the European Union, economic change such as increase in incomes or a catalogue of increases or decreases in the statistical level of featues such as crime or drug use. Initially it is just an index to relevant Wikipedia pages, but needs to be fleshed out based on some referenced published works.

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Historical Change

• Druids to Christianity (but see Bridget Cleary)
• Alcohol Matt Talbot
• Dismissal of Mayo librarian Letitia Dunbar-Harrison

Recent changes (1970 onwards)

Areas of focus

• Changing Sexual morals

- Magdalene Asylum - Prostitution in the Republic of Ireland

• Decline in Catholicism

- Religion in the Republic of Ireland - Vocations

• Attitudes to Health/Environment

- Recycling in Ireland

• Attitude to world events

- East Timor - Missionaries in Africa - International Aid

• Attititudes to multiculturalism/minorities

Influences

• Economic Prosperity Celtic Tiger
• Increased immigration
• Change in other societies
• Membership of the European Union
• Increased media coverage
  • The Late Late Show
• Catholic sex abuse cases
• Other scandals involving clergy- Bishop Eamon Casey and Father Michael Cleary
• Invdividual notable events
  • Death of Anne Lovett
  • Dismissal of Eileen Flynn
  • Kerry Babies Tribunal

• Increased respect and funding for science and scientific research.

• Personal computers

Impact of change

• Legislation
  • Removal of article from constitution regarding 'special position' of Catholic Church - the significance of this article in the constitution has been debated, with some saying it was of no effective significance.
  • Smoking ban
  • Tougher Drink driving laws
• Other impacts
  • Ferns Report
  • Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse

Debate

• Abortion in Ireland
• Divorce
• Equality

Current change debate

• Recognition of same-sex unions in Ireland
• Irish reaction to climate change

See also

• Change in other societies

External links

• http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/0322/1206024758412.html
• http://www.ctinquiry.org/publications/reflections_volume_1/moltmann.htm