The Irish Complex and GAA.

We're an erratic group of suppressed people who love a scrap both on and off of a GAA field. But how much of this is down to our ancestral roots?

In a lecture given by Eugene Wall in Mary Immaculate College in the final semester of my degree, I was introduced to the concept of ancestral resonance. For those unsure of what it means, it is the generational reincarnation of conscious and unconscious beliefs, values and behaviours passed down from ancestors. Put simply, what our ancestors have experienced and the way they behaved can be used to explain much of our behaviour today. Dissertations in reference to the 'Irish condition' have been written on ancestral resonance. It is a truly fascinating concept. With reference to Irish people and general Irish attitudes it can be used to explain much of how we have evolved socioculturally.

One of the common examples of how ancestral resonance applies to the Irish psyche is in our inhibition to self-praise. This is seen across cultures that have suffered prolonged oppression. Like Pavlov and his dogs, we were conditioned. Conditioned to feel inferior to our oppressive powers and to shun acts of self-assertiveness. To be submissive. The manifestation of this can actually contradict itself. While it caused us to rebel and hold on to our traditions more vigorously, it simultaneously caused us to harbour the notion that open self-confidence is not something which should be celebrated. In quite the opposite, submission and self-deprivation is more value for social currency.

Take Mrs. Doyle in Father Ted. She has an innate duty to serve. Go on, go on, go on etc. An exaggerated example of this Irish tendency is brilliantly conveyed in her willingness to engage in physical confrontation with her friend Mrs. Dineen instead of allowing her to pay for tea. Father Ted was genius. Another good example is the Irish tendency to boast about your frugality. For any non-Irish people reading, this is essentially the exact opposite of 'flexing'. "That's a lovely blouse, Sinéad", says Deirdre. "Guess where I got it, girl? Go on. Guess. Pennys, 4 euro", responds Sinéad before Deirdre can even reply to her guessing prompt. We love a good bargain, us Irish.

Ancestral resonance could also be used to explain the Conor Mcgregor phenomena. A society in which boastful displays are largely condemned will allow for the suppression of any haughty notions. McGregor offers a vicarious catharsis to this suppression. In other words, Irish people live their self-confidence through this larger-than-life figure. An over-the-top caricature of cockiness who speaks well and fights well. What more in reference to the Irish condition needs to be said?

This feature of the Irish psyche can even be proved through our coexistence with an opposing psyche. In 19th and 20th century New York, the Italian and Irish minority were more different in just the patch of grass they came from and the language they originally spoke. The Irish mafia endeavoured to keep operations small and conservative, as was our nature. No harm, this resulted in us taking the Oval Office for a time. Meanwhile, the Italian psyche has always been one of extreme pride. From the great Roman Empire to the Renaissance, Italy holds a storied past with much to be impressed by. This caused the Italian Mafioso to be far more ambitious and expansive with their operations. Italian males in New York were lauded by their parents and encouraged to take on the world, so-to-speak. The result of this was some class films and a lot of craic.

Thus, while Mr. Wall (a truly great lecturer and person I think very highly of) was giving one of his spirited anecdotes, my mind drifted and I began to think of all the ways this concept applies to contemporary Irish society. One of the ways it applies to us is in our tribalism.

Now before I get flack from any 'Sinn Féiners' for my next comment, I would like to say that that I irrationally and without any logic I could prove inarguably would love to see a 'United Ireland'. However, Ireland was never united in the first place. We were a warrior nation of clans. Constantly at odds with one another. Never settling our differences indefinitely. Pre-English invasion, there were Celtic tribes. The McCarthy's of the South West. The O'Neills of Ulster. From the Hatfield & McCoys to Kinahan-Hutch, us Celts have always used hating our neighbour as a good excuse to get up in the morning.

 While tribalism exists in all of humankind, it is especially fervent in Irish culture. This could well be the cultural complex and pattern of behaviour which explains our love, nay, need for GAA. The county borders across the pond change constantly due to administrative reasons. Imagine if the Irish government proposed an editing of county borders in Ireland? Picture this; a senator from the Seanad (some out-of-touch, boarding school educated lad who spends too much time sitting in brown leather armchairs with glasses of brandy) takes a look at the map of Munster and decides that for administrative and logistical reasons, the area of North Cork (from Mallow up, let's say) is where the Limerick border should begin. The people of Cork would lose their minds before even considering any of the political merit this might hold. Why? The people of North Cork identify as Rebels every bit as much as they do Irishmen. This stamp of pride is held down by their sporting heritage. The county colours. The family names. The local sporting heroes.

It sounds to me that we haven't changed all that much in 800 years. We think so highly of our ancient Celtic ancestors because we see ourselves in them. Today, however, we do not settle our differences in battle with sword or spear. Modern civilised society doesn't really allow for it.We settle them on a well-cut patch of grass with sticks and balls.

P.S. Up the Kingdom.