Generally, many studies have been conducted on megalithic monuments worldwide, and more specifically in certain regions. In Atlantic Europe, there has been much research done on Neolithic megaliths...Show moreGenerally, many studies have been conducted on megalithic monuments worldwide, and more specifically in certain regions. In Atlantic Europe, there has been much research done on Neolithic megaliths; however, much of this has not included cross-study analyses, especially relating to certain types including hunebedden, allée couvertes, and portal tombs. They mainly focus on the immediate region certain tombs dominate. This thesis intends to broaden this scope by investigating both specific and broader similarities and differences between three specific megalith types: hunebedden, allée couvertes, and portal tombs. This is investigated through a literature study review, which includes three case studies: D26-Drouwenerveld (Dutch hunebed), Men-ar-Rompet (French allée couvertes), and Killaclohane I and II (Irish portal tombs). All three monument types have many similarities and differences. Primarily, they are all considered Neolithic funerary monuments, following similar basic constructions, albeit with local variations. Stone types used offer information regarding construction and intentionality, depending on where those stones originated. This adds to the symbolic landscape regardless it’s symbolism before construction. The tombs orientation provides information about construction and ritualistic beliefs considered during construction. Additionally, there is a general lack of settlement around areas with many monuments, although that is likely interpreted as a lack of evidence. Artefacts associated with the specific monuments often indicate the cultures associated with them, offering insights into the tombs, their uses, and other factors including economy, and re-uses of the tombs. Developments often differ throughout Atlantic Europe as seen in Ireland’s island context, versus France or the Netherlands continental context. While Ireland continues to see continental influences in passage tombs, there are also newer forms of tombs, for example, portal tombs (also found in Cornwall and Wales), which have few comparable examples on the continent. Whereas France and the Netherlands share similar developmental trajectories (variations of passage tombs). While this thesis offers insights into these developments, more research could offer further understanding of them in a larger scale, including greater periods of reuse and what that may imply.Show less
The treatment of mental health problems has had limited success in both England and Ireland. Since the Percy Commission in 1957 in England, and the Commission of Inquiry into Mental Illness in 1966...Show moreThe treatment of mental health problems has had limited success in both England and Ireland. Since the Percy Commission in 1957 in England, and the Commission of Inquiry into Mental Illness in 1966 in Ireland, both countries have strived to modernise and improve the quality of their mental healthcare systems. Despite this, they have experienced several shortfalls surrounding funding, staffing and community care amongst other issues. As a result of these problems, both countries have some of the highest rates of mental illness in Europe, with 18.5 percent of Irish people and 17.7 percent of English people experiencing at least one mental illness. While both England and Ireland inherited a similar system based around asylums and a focus on long-term institutionalisation the outcomes for the respective countries were vastly different. Additionally, both countries have moved towards a community-based approach in the hope to rehabilitate and reintegrate patients into the community. Though, England has seen lower rates of hospitalisation and shorter hospital stays for mental illness than in Ireland, as well as historically having lower rates of mental illness. However, since the 1990s, English rates of mental illness have been increasing gradually. As a result, English rates of mental illness are nearly that of Ireland. By discussing the historic developments in mental healthcare in the two countries and issues around welfare and healthcare, the causes for this discrepancy as well as the recent increases in the rate of mental illness can hopefully be explained.Show less
Throughout the past decades, nuclear accidents have had a significant impact on the debate surrounding nuclear energy, causing public concern about the safety and reliability of utilising nuclear...Show moreThroughout the past decades, nuclear accidents have had a significant impact on the debate surrounding nuclear energy, causing public concern about the safety and reliability of utilising nuclear energy. In the last year, public concern has been fueled up again because of the Russian bombing and occupation of Europe’s largest nuclear power plant, Zaporizhzhia in Ukraine. This study seeks to investigate to what extent the media is framing nuclear energy, by especially looking at articles since the events at Zaporizhzhia. The media present various narratives regarding social concerns and debates, such as nuclear energy, and can affect public opinion by the selection of topics, frames and sources that the media uses. The main purpose of this research is to explore the presence of framing of nuclear energy in British and Irish mainstream newspapers. The study will focus on how nuclear energy is represented in news articles in a sample of mainstream news media outlets in both the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland. Fifteen articles from four different newspapers and with different political stances were collected and coded for analysis using a comparative content analysis and a risk-benefit coding scheme. The coding scheme was both based on an existing set of codes from previous research and existing theories, as well as newly generated codes. The results from this analysis demonstrated that British media tends to be overall supportive of nuclear energy, even after the events at Zaporizhzhia. In comparison, analysis revealed that the Irish media tends to be unsupportive and critical of nuclear energy and that Zaporizhzhia has negatively impacted the risk frames used by Irish media. Depending on the nation’s history with nuclear energy, and the government’s stance towards nuclear energy, the narrative of the newspapers were either positive or negative.Show less
A seat in the United Nations Security Council is more attractive and prestigious than ever among the organisation’s member states. This thesis investigates the importance of credibility connected...Show moreA seat in the United Nations Security Council is more attractive and prestigious than ever among the organisation’s member states. This thesis investigates the importance of credibility connected to a running candidate’s campaign message in a contested security council election. By adopting a qualitative comparative analysis between the three candidates from the highly competitive Western European and Others Group election of 2020 - Canada, Ireland and Norway – this thesis aims to increase our knowledge of the determinant factors for successful campaigns. The results suggests that proven consistency and positive political engagement and results related to the communicated priorities in the campaign message – at least in relation to those of its competitors – can play a decisive role in the outcome of contested elections. However, the thesis cannot exclude any other possible determinants nor point out any single factor that is more decisive than the others. Nevertheless, the results open up for further research on political commitment as a determinant factor, with special focus on campaign messages.Show less
Corporate tax avoidance is an aspect of tax haven activity that is under significant scrutiny by the international community. This lies in the belief that corporations should pay their fair share,...Show moreCorporate tax avoidance is an aspect of tax haven activity that is under significant scrutiny by the international community. This lies in the belief that corporations should pay their fair share, and that tax competition serves to lower overall corporate taxation. The narrative in host countries is often within the realm of job creation and economic performance, which this thesis seeks to look into and explore. Does the host country of capital flight and profit shifting actually benefit on a socioeconomic basis or are they merely being affected by the financial curse? This study seeks to explore these concepts by applying them to two tax competitive jurisdictions in the EU, Malta and Ireland, in order to explore the validity of the aforementioned political rhetoric or whether the two countries are experiencing wealth inequality due to the influx of FDI via competitive taxation.Show less
The year 2020 marked 81 years since the start of the Second World War and Ireland’s declaration to abstain from it. As time continues, we become further and further detached from the events in...Show moreThe year 2020 marked 81 years since the start of the Second World War and Ireland’s declaration to abstain from it. As time continues, we become further and further detached from the events in human past that have so greatly affected the world we live in today, however, the study of history can bring these events closer to the modern human experience. This artificial closeness can be used as a tool to explain how and why historical events occurred as they did and allow us to learn more about not only the world of yesterday but also the world of tomorrow. This thesis will use Ireland’s 1939-1945 policy of neutrality to test neorealism and liberalism to assess what can be learned not only about said theories, but too the history they are applied to. This can hopefully shine more light on how current theories can be applied outside of the modern world.Show less
Small states occupy a minor, yet important, aspect of the study of international relations. While large states and great powers are still accorded the lion’s share of agency in international...Show moreSmall states occupy a minor, yet important, aspect of the study of international relations. While large states and great powers are still accorded the lion’s share of agency in international politics and negotiations, scholars have long recognised that small states are not passive actors and can influence developments on the international stage despite their limited resources. This is accomplished mainly through a variety of strategies that small states apply on the international stage. The effectiveness of these strategies are subject to conditions in the wider international or institutional context, but are still the major avenue through which small state governments exercise agency outside of their national borders. These strategies have been closely examined by scholars, particularly in the context of the European Union, where the highly formalised institutional environment offers both obstacles and opportunities for small states to pursue their agendas at the supranational level. The case study of Ireland, a small state on the periphery of the EU, will be examined in order to determine how peripheral small state governments attempt to affect the development of EU policy. Irish attempts to influence EU foreign and security policy will be investigated, policies that have traditionally been dominated by analyses of large state actors. However, an increasing amount of scholarship argues that small states have the ability to affect the EU in this field as well. This thesis seeks to place the interaction between Ireland and the EU in the wider global context by examining the role a third party international organisation, the UN, has on Ireland’s influence at the EU.Show less
Cultural exchange is so embedded in daily life that the importance of it for international relations is not apparent. Cultural products or services may unconsciously generate feelings towards the...Show moreCultural exchange is so embedded in daily life that the importance of it for international relations is not apparent. Cultural products or services may unconsciously generate feelings towards the nation they represent. Irish Riverdance, and Chinese dancing, for example, are actively generating emotions and stances among their international audiences, and the exchange of these cultural products generates mutual understanding between these nations. The aim of this thesis is to study the significance of cultural exchange as a means of soft power and cultural diplomacy in international communication and cooperation. The case studies of this thesis are Chinese and Irish performing arts. This study implies that the relations between China and Ireland are positively influenced by cultural diplomacy and soft power.Show less
In 2016 it would have been difficult to imagine that Ireland and Spain once shared similar economic contexts. While in 2007 they were both experiencing similar macroeconomic conditions, and...Show moreIn 2016 it would have been difficult to imagine that Ireland and Spain once shared similar economic contexts. While in 2007 they were both experiencing similar macroeconomic conditions, and underwent similar processes in dealing with the crisis, nine years later the Irish economy had managed to regain its pre-crisis standards, whereas Spain’s continued to lag behind. Particularly telling of these developments are poverty trends, with Ireland presenting an overall decrease in its At-Risk-of-Poverty or Social Exclusion (AROPE) figures over 2007 and 2016, and Spain being unable to do so. Consequently, given their similarities prior to the Great Recession, the question of “what explains the diverging poverty trends between Ireland and Spain between 2007 and 2016?” arises. Turning to the academic and theoretical literature, the paper identifies four variables which could explain these outcomes: economic growth and income inequalities; (un)employment levels and conditions; welfare state effectiveness; and political inequality. These variables were assessed with reference to Eurostat and OECD data, with the analysis being complemented by NGO reports and government publications. Overall, findings indicate that three principal factors can explain these diverging poverty trends: I) the fact that income inequalities were widespread in Spain, even during periods of growth, while they were relatively stable in Ireland; II) Spain’s inability to avoid an increase in rising labor precariousness, and; III) the effectiveness of Ireland’s welfare state in reducing poverty levels. The fourth variable under investigation, the role of political inequalities, provided inconclusive results.Show less
In an even more globalised world, the role of international institutions has become both increasingly important and controversial. The rise of global governance also has an impact for governance at...Show moreIn an even more globalised world, the role of international institutions has become both increasingly important and controversial. The rise of global governance also has an impact for governance at the domestic level as many issues are decided, at least partly, at the international level. The question is, then, how great is this influence of international institutions at the domestic level? This thesis will explore this topic by doing a case study analysis that focuses on a specific issue, the Irish abortion law. The case study will focus on three instances in which Irish women sued the Irish state in the international courts for the suffering that the strict abortion law had caused them. The research question that will be used is ‘How did international institutions such as the United Nations and the European Union influence the abortion law in Ireland?’. This thesis’ hypothesis is that the executive power of international institutions at the domestic level is limited. Instead, the influence that international institutions have mainly flows from their ability to set international norms and standards. Through a qualitative document analysis of official court documents, court rulings, reports, and news articles, the impact of international institutions on the Irish abortion has been explored. Previous research on the practical impact of UN treaties and the concept of ‘soft power’ have been used as the foundation for the research. The main research findings are that the international institutions’ impact at the domestic level varies per domestic issue and context. Further, the hypothesis was correct in that the international institution’s involvement in the issue was considered legitimate due to its use of soft power. The final conclusion was that for the Irish abortion law specifically, an interplay of both international and domestic factors were needed for a change to be brought about.Show less
The UK's decision to leave the EU has been a salient event in Europe over the last three years, often dominating the headlines. Ireland has more to lose from the UK leaving the EU than other member...Show moreThe UK's decision to leave the EU has been a salient event in Europe over the last three years, often dominating the headlines. Ireland has more to lose from the UK leaving the EU than other member states. This thesis examines Ireland's vulnerabilities with the implications of a possible return of a hard border in Northern Ireland. In particular, it examines how Ireland has managed to get the issue of the Irish border as a top priority on the EU agenda in the context of the Brexit negotiations. This is achieved using agenda-setting theory and examining the Irish Government use of framing the border issue to EU counterparts. The thesis finds that the Irish Government was extremely proactive, organized and consistent with discourse which resonated with the values of the EU. This discourse was used at a high politics level by Irish politicians in their engagement with officials of EU intuitions and member states. This persistent engagement and discourse with the EU was instrumental in turning the Irish border into a priority for the EU in the Brexit negotiations.Show less
Since the start of the European debt crisis in 2010, there have been signs of decreasing faith in the European Union. In this text, an effort is made to determine if there is a relationship between...Show moreSince the start of the European debt crisis in 2010, there have been signs of decreasing faith in the European Union. In this text, an effort is made to determine if there is a relationship between the worsening economic situation in European Union member states, and the rise of Euroscepticism in the last decade. The research examines three of the countries that were the most severely damaged by the European debt crisis: Ireland, Portugal, and Greece, and analyzes the trends of Euroscepticism in surveys and election results, comparing these trends to the respective economic situations. The research shows that while the crisis appears to have affected Euroscepticism to an extent, but also suggests that this is primarily a resurgence of latent Euroscepticism, present in Greece.Show less
This thesis sheds light on a largely forgotten but nonetheless important group of refugees during the Cold War. The Chilean case study represents an anomaly in the traditional Cold War narrative....Show moreThis thesis sheds light on a largely forgotten but nonetheless important group of refugees during the Cold War. The Chilean case study represents an anomaly in the traditional Cold War narrative. Instead of escaping the presumed evil of communism the Chileans fled from an undemocratic right-wing military regime ultimately becoming the first major non-European refugees to apply for asylum in Western Europe after the Second World War. The Netherlands accepted around 1502 Chilean refugees whereas Ireland only admitted 107 Chilean refugees. Both countries had different approaches towards the reception of these refugees. This raises the following question: Why was the reception of Chilean refugees in the Netherlands so vastly different from the reception in Ireland, 1973-1990? This study adopts Karen Jacobsen’s analytical framework that identifies four key categories of factors that influence refugee policies. However, some adaptations were made in order to fit the individual context of both countries: 1) legal bureaucratic response; 2) national security considerations; 3) the treatment of refugees; 4) civil society; 5) and integration. These factors are discussed and analysed per case and its findings are based on primary sources of the National Archive of Ireland in Dublin, the National Archive of the Netherlands in the Hague, and the International Institute of Social History in Amsterdam.Show less
Eamon de Valera is one of the most devisive figures in modern Irish history. Throughout the years his legacy has been changed and challenged. That is why the question often comes up what his effect...Show moreEamon de Valera is one of the most devisive figures in modern Irish history. Throughout the years his legacy has been changed and challenged. That is why the question often comes up what his effect on Ireland post-independence really was. This thesis tries to reevaluate his legacy and look at his viewpoints.Show less
This thesis explores the relationship between Ireland and Great Britain in times of The Great Famine (1845-1850), and discusses the factors that contributed to the deterioration of this relationship.
This thesis deals with the topical themes of home, homelessness, exile, and migration as explored in James Joyce's novel Ulysses (1922). The aim is to analyze the manner in which Joyce has...Show moreThis thesis deals with the topical themes of home, homelessness, exile, and migration as explored in James Joyce's novel Ulysses (1922). The aim is to analyze the manner in which Joyce has presented the various perspectives on these notions, and to what extent these themes may be connected to the characters in the text, with an emphasis on the two male leading characters, Leopold Bloom and Stephen Dedalus. The thesis takes an original approach by using as its framework the sociological theories of Georg Simmel (1858-1918), a contemporary of Joyce.Show less
The Irish rebellion of 1798 is pivotal in Irish history. The ideas of the French Revolution contributed greatly to the development of Irish republicanism in the 1790s, when the United Irishmen...Show moreThe Irish rebellion of 1798 is pivotal in Irish history. The ideas of the French Revolution contributed greatly to the development of Irish republicanism in the 1790s, when the United Irishmen began their struggle for an independent, republican Ireland. But the French also contributed in practical manner, by providing military aid in the form of two expeditions to Ireland in 1796 and 1798. This thesis analyses why the French Directory, the executive power during this period, decided to support the Irish, and if it fits within the framework of sister republics. The findings of the thesis suggest that the rhetoric the Directory used to justify the first expedition combined Republican ideals, such as liberating the Irish people from oppression and establishing a republican system of government, with war-strategic arguments such as using Ireland as a weapon to defeat France’s great enemy, England. However, the plan to use a guerrilla-warfare strategy, a chouannerie, in Ireland, with the aim to cause chaos and civil war, shows that Republican ideals were ultimately not the priority for the promoters of the Irish expedition, Carnot and Hoche. Before the second expedition, the political circumstances were very disadvantageous to the Irish cause, and the only way the French would help Ireland again was when they were to rise on their own. When this ultimately happened, the idea of an Irish revolution was enough to justify another expedition, and the Directory reached back to the rhetoric of the 1796 expedition. Moreover, the establishment of the Republic of Connacht shows that there was an attempt to establish a republican system, and the republican rhetoric was thus not uttered in vain. A successful invasion of Ireland might thus have led to an Irish sister-republic; however, the prominence of French interests in the event of an Irish revolution, the focus on English defeat and the chouannerie strategy show that the promotion of Republican ideals was not priority for the Directory.Show less
