The 1871 census came to the stark conclusion that 'within relatively few years' Irish would cease to exist. Yet, over a century later, Irish became the twenty-third officially recognized language of the European Union in 2007. To believe the census returns of recent years, Irish is in a state of rude health. But is this true when half a million people claim to speak Irish, but seldom actually speak it? In the traditional Gaeltacht areas, Irish is in peril - whilst it flourishes in Gaelscoileanna, in urban areas and in cyberspace. What do these dramatic shifts mean for the language's future?A New View of the Irish Language covers issues such as language and national identity; the impact of emigration and immigration; music, literature and the media; the importance of place-names; teaching and learning Irish; attitudes towards Irish; and the state of the Gaeltacht - and probes beyond the statistics and rhetoric to explore the true situation of Irish in the contemporary world.Contributors: Ruair hUiginn, Pdraig Riagin, Liam Mac Mathna, Mirn Nic Eoin, Liam Muirthile, Gearid Tuathaigh, John Harris, Breandn Delap, Conchr Giollagin & Seosamh Mac Donnacha, Caoilfhionn Nic Phidn, Pdraig Laighin, Lillis Laoire, Anna N Ghallachair, Ciarn Mac Murchaidh, Brian Conchubhair, Aidan Doyle, Aidan Punch, Suzanne Romaine, Dnall Mac Giolla Easpaig and Iarfhlaith Watson.

Includes section "Book reviews".

This publication is the first interdisciplinary collection of articles focusing on religion and mythology in Celtic studies. The first part presents various current viewpoints within the field from scholars of history, art history and literary studies. In addition to more traditional approaches, the other two parts of the book illustrate the possibilities of applying new theories and methods from the discipline of Comparative Religion to the analysis of Celtic materials. They introduce previously unpublished results of the international research network “The Power of Words in Traditional European Cultures”, and the research project “Religion, Society, and Culture: Defining the Sacred in Early Irish Literature” funded by the Academy of Finland at University of Helsinki. The present collection serves as a significant contribution towards a better understanding of issues that have not been previously brought together in a single volume. As such it is of interest to scholars in Celtic studies as well as other related disciplines.