The Changing Make-‐up of Ireland
ONCE celebrates not only the effect two individuals can have on one another, but also the way cultures blend and interact. The Girl influences the Guy’s way of thinking and his willingness to pursue his dreams, and also introduces him to her world, bringing him to the immigrant community where she lives. The story introduces its audience to the world of Dublin, showing not just its traditional Irish culture, but also the variety of the people who now inhabit it.
Dublin is the capital city of Ireland and has served an important role in the country’s history. Ireland was once governed by England, but had its own culture and had a large Catholic population while England was predominantly Protestant. English landlords controlled most of the land, taking its profits without living there. Meanwhile, those living in Ireland had few opportunities. In the mid-‐ 19th century, a devastating famine struck as potato crops failed. These horrifying conditions led many to emigrate, seeking opportunities in other countries, such as the United States. The unequal and oppressive conditions also led to many uprisings and attempts to claim independence. Ireland finally succeeded after fighting between 1919 and 1921. However, Northern Ireland, which was predominantly Protestant, remained a part of the United Kingdom. This partition has been highly contended every since, often with violence.
In the 1990s, the Irish economy flourished and many immigrants began to enter the country
seeking freedom and success. As Ireland received an influx of immigrants, many settled in the nation’s capital. As of 2006, 15% of Dublin residents were not Irish nationals, diversifying a once very uniform population. Since then, the city has undergone economic difficulties and the rate of immigration has
The River Liffey in Dublin
dropped from its 2007 peak. However, significant numbers still enter the country each year. Most are workers or asylum seekers. The release of the film Once in 2006 coincided with the peak in immigration. At that time the greatest number of immigrants came from other members of the European Union, while the greatest number of asylum seekers came from Nigeria and Romania. The presence of foreign nationals and immigrants in Dublin has changed the feel of certain neighborhoods, as well as the diversity of the city as a whole.
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