Hidden Ulster, Protestants and the Irish language

Hidden Ulster, Protestants and the Irish Language is a book written by Pádraig Ó Snodaigh in 1973. Revised editions appeared in 1977 and 1995. The third edition was published by Lagan Press.

In the book,'s main point of contention was to confirm the cultural, that is Gaelic, unity between the Irish Catholic natives of the north of Ireland and the Scottish settlers. Ó Snodaigh argued there had been a strong tradition of Gaelic-speaking among the Ulster Protestant planters in the 16th and 17th centuries. [1] Ó Snodaigh hoped his thesis of a shared linguistic heritage would thus improve relations between Northern Ireland's antagonistic communities during the "Troubles" (1971-1998). [2]

The book was strongly criticised by the British and Irish Communist Organisation, which saw it as a SDLP-inspired attack on their Two Nations Theory (Ireland); Ó Snodaigh replied to their criticisms in subsequent editions. [3] [4] The book was also criticised by the DUP, but praised by Fortnight Magazine and some members of both the Orange Order and the UVF. [5] [6] [7]

References

  1. ^ Book review
  2. ^ "Mr. Ó Snodaigh said it was his hope that the Protestant people of the North would regain an interest in the Irish language and thus come to recognise the common roots and bonds which existed with the Catholic community". "Protestants and the Language", Irish Press, January 18th, 1973, (p.4)
  3. ^ "Gaelic Ulster Theory Attack by Stalinists", Irish Times,May 15, 1973.
  4. ^ Hidden Ulster Explored, by the British and Irish Communist Organisation,1973.
  5. ^ "Hidden Ulster Revisited", by O Snodaigh,The Crane Bag magazine, Vol. 5, No. 2, (1981), pgs. 45-47.
  6. ^ Risteárd Ó Glaisne,review of "Hidden Ulster:Protestants and the Irish Language by Pádraig Ó Snodaigh". Studies: An Irish Quarterly Review, Vol. 85, No. 337 (Spring, 1996), pgs. 81-83.
  7. ^ The Politics of Language in Ireland, 1366-1922, Tony Crowley, Routledge, 2000, pg. 8 .

Further reading