Cultural Currency: Irish Traditional Music and the Making of Contemporary Irish Identity

This article examines how Irish traditional music (ITM) has shaped modern Irish identity at home and abroad. It traces ITM’s evolution from 18th-century preservation efforts and nationalist associations through 20th-century state support and commercialisation, to its global role via the diaspora, tourism, festivals, and cultural diplomacy. The study highlights tensions between authenticity and economic viability, showing how ITM has moved from local expression to an adaptable, internationally recognised tradition that plays a major cultural and economic role in 21st-century Ireland.