Catholicism has played a central role in Irish society for centuries. It is sometimes perceived
in a negative light being associated with repression antiquated morality and a warped view of
sexuality. However there are also the positive aspects that Catholicism brought to bear on
Irish culture such as the beauty of its rituals education and health care or concern for the
poor and the underprivileged. Whatever their experience of Catholicism writers of a certain
generation could not escape its impact on their lives an impact which is pervasive in the
literature they produced. This study containing twelve chapters written by a range of
distinguished literary experts and emerging scholars explores in a systematic manner the
cross-fertilisation between Catholicism and Irish Irish-American literature written in English.
The figures addressed in the book include James Joyce Maud Gonne Constance Markievicz Kate
O'Brien Edwin O'Connor Brian Moore John McGahern Seamus Heaney Paul Durcan Vincent
Carroll and Brian Friel. This book will serve to underline the complex relationship between
creative writers and the once all-powerful religious Establishment.
