Amazon.com description: Product Description: One of the main objectives of the Encyclopedia will be to bring conceptions of Irish identity fully up-to-date and in to line with developments in modern, or post-modern culture. Though the Encyclopedia deals extensively with the face Ireland presents to the 'outside' world, its most important function will be to address the complex dialogues which Irish people are having with themselves in a period of uncertainty and change, of both anxiety and optimism. To the extent that the various entries reflect these dialogues, the Encyclopedia may help to refigure the boundaries between the inside and outside, national and international, and what it means to be at home and abroad in contemporary Irish culture; this will involve challenging both the official images and popular stereotypes. Coverage spans from 1922, marking the end of the Anglo Irish War, the Treaty and the division of Ireland, to the present day. The range of reference is not only confined to the island of Ireland, but also embraces the worldwide Irish diaspora extending to the 70 million or so people other countries of Irish decent. Culture is defined in its broadest sense to include: film, literature, visual arts, performing arts, architecture and heritage, music, vernacular culture, history, kitsch, tourism and leisure, religion, politics, sport, language, national identities, food and drink and the media. The Encyclopedia includes a thematic entry list where entries are listed by category, suggestions for further reading after each entry, a comprehensive system of cross-referencing linking connected entries to one another and an extensive index. These invaluable tools help navigate the reader through the Encyclopedia and on to further study.