Counter-Hegemony and the Irish "Other"
About this ebook
The issue of multiculturalism is not one which is particularly new to Irish society as a number of contributors to this volume point out. What is new however is an increased acknowledgement of diversity and multiculturalism in Ireland and Europe as a whole. Such an acknowledgement makes increased dialogue between “mainstream” society, older minorities such as the Irish Travellers and the many newer immigrant communities such as the Roma all the more necessary.
For such constructive dialogue to take place it is vital that the voices of Travellers and Roma are listened to and that their distinctive worldview be given due acknowledgement and respect. It is hoped that this volume will go some way towards the development of such a process.
About the author
Amongst his many published books are:
Acton, T. (ed.) (1997) Gypsy Politics and Traveller Identity; Herts: University of Hertfordshire Press
Acton, T. and Mundy, G. (eds.) (1997): Romani Culture and Gypsy Identity; Herts: University of Hertfordshire Press
Acton, T. (ed.) (2000) Scholarship and the Gypsy Struggle; Herts: University of Hertfordshire Press
Dr. Michael Hayes works as a Lecturer (part-time) at the University of Limerick where he lectures on a number of English, History, Politics and Social Studies courses incorporating Traveller, Roma and Migration Studies. He has published a number of books about the socio-cultural history and development of a number of different (traditionally nomadic) groups within the Irish Traveller community. His publications in this area include: The Candlelight Painter (2004); Parley-Poet and Chanter (2004); Canting with Cauley (2005); A Compendium of Fairground Speech (2005); Otherness and Identity in Modern Ireland (2006) and Irish Travellers: Representations and Realities (2006). He also works in the area of Asylum and Asylum-process - in particular the policy implications and effects of present-day Asylum procedures as applicable within the EU and Ireland –Dislocation and Diaspora: The Story of the “New” Irish (2006); Otherness: Representations of the “New" Irish (2006) (He has been involved in community work with Travellers, asylum-seekers and other marginalised groups both in Liverpool, England and in Limerick, Ireland for the past twelve years.
