Cartographic culture

: mapping relations between the Irish state and it’s ‘culturescape’ from empire to e-commerce

Abstract

This thesis examines the interplay between political praxis and its cultural phenomena in the Republic of Ireland, tracing its evolution from the establishment of the Irish Free State to the present day. Beginning with a historical review of the relationship between the state and the arts, this research aims to highlight how historical decisions have shaped current frameworks, how the government's approach to cultural policy has evolved in response to social, economic, and political change, and conversely, how these changes have impacted Ireland’s public culturescape at various key points. Following suit is a comprehensive mapping of Ireland’s contemporary cultural policy framework, including its relevant practitioners and key strategies both national and supranational. This research ends with a rigorous critique of Ireland’s pivotal cultural policy, Culture 2025, revealing critical gaps in need of addressing to foster a more inclusive and effective contemporary cultural policy landscape. Considering the duality of cohesion and fragmentation within the Irish cultural policy framework, this research contends that despite attempts to create an integrated approach, underlying structural issues continue to undermine policy objectives and hinder the effectiveness and inclusivity of cultural initiatives. Ultimately, this research explores the interconnectedness of cultural policy and politico-economic development in the hopes to serve as a comprehensive roadmap as to the complete trajectory of Irish cultural policy, a somewhat neglected field of research that is in want of closer examination.

Date of Award	7 Jan 2025
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Peter Hanenberg (Supervisor)