Ireland has traveled a long distance in a short period of time; once known as the 'land of saints and scholars', it has more recently been criticised by a Catholic archbishop as in danger of being reduced to the 'land of stocks and shares'. With stable politics in the North, the stunning economic rise of the Celtic Tiger now on the wane, the resurgence of Irish artists and writers, and the recent retirement of key figures in Irish culture, what does the terrain of the Irish soul look like today, and what might the gifts of Irish spirituality be for the rest of us? Gareth Higgins explores the connections, blessings, and challenges offered by Ian Paisley, Sinead O'Connor, Colin Farrell and the movie 'Once'.
Gareth Higgins is a writer from Belfast who has worked both as an academic and activist, co-leading a post-sectarian peacebuilding initiative for over a decade.
He seeks to explore authentic spirituality at the intersection between theology, culture and politics, and is the author of How movies helped save my soul and the forthcoming How to enjoy life without killing anyone.
