Religious pluralism and education in postreformation Ireland

Abstract

This dissertation examines the phenomenon of multiculturalism and investigates how religious pluralism can help to bring about a greater understanding of the problems on the island of Ireland. It is argued that religious differences constitute an essential element in the traditional quarrel between Gaelic Irish, Scotch Irish and Anglo-Irish. The research is concerned with the issue of religion and its impacts on other cultural and political issues within the society. If a vital ingredient of this ancient quarrel is religion, then the notions of church schooling, integrated education and ecumenical dialogue between the churches, require particular examination and assumes primary significance during the course of the study.