Shaw and Irish Anglican Preoccupations

An immersion in the literature produced in Ireland in the two and a half centuries leading up to Bernard Shaw’s birth in 1856 reveals that three different Irish cultures were producing work in significant quantities: Irish Gaelic Catholics, Irish Anglicans (traditionally—and dubiously—called the Anglo-Irish), and Ulster Scots Presbyterians. 1 Less famous but still intriguing works were being produced by smaller Irish subcultures: especially Irish Methodists, Irish Quakers, and Irish Jews. 2 In studies on the Irish Shaw, such as this one, it should always be emphasized that Shaw belonged specifically to the Irish Anglican cultural tradition. These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.