Irish Academic Press Ordinary Irish Life: Music, Sport and Culture

Drawing together the strands of music, sport and popular culture under the umbrella of Ordinary Life , this engaging new book takes the reader on an entertaining journey through modern Ireland, celebrating the many unique expressions of Irishness . From the folk roots of popular culture in the song "The Night Larry Was Stretched" , to the showbands, and community building among U2 fans; from the 'Riddle of Ravenhill' and the 1954 Irish Rugby International, to 'The Lion of Lahinch' - an IRA man s appearance at the Walker Cup. Everyday life is explored in Corner Boys in Small Town Ireland , and a historical dimension follows the Irish railroad workers to Cuba in 1835. Bringing it back to the present is a chapter on our fascination with talk radio and its development in Ireland, and the general recycling of Irish popular culture. This lively collection contributes to the study of Irish Cultural Studies, and meets the growing interest in Irish music and sports studies in an entertaining and cutting-edge fashion. Accessible for a wide audience, the book captures the spirit of Irish life with examples of events and emotions shared by everyone About the Author Dr Méabh Ní Fhuartháin is currently the University Fellow (Teaching and Research) in Irish Studies and Co-ordinator, of the BA Irish Studies at the Centre for Irish Studies, NUI Galway. She is also co- director of the research network Comhrá Ceoil: Irish music and dance studies. Dr David Doyle is an Irish Research Council (IRC) Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the UCD Institute of Criminology and a Research Associate of School of Social Work and Social Policy, Trinity College, Dublin