Ireland and Neo-Secularisation Theory

Abstract

Although secularisation theory offers grand analytical possibilities for monitoring changing religious tendencies on political, social and cultural levels, it is greatly disadvantageous in accounting for particularities of small-scale variations in specific socio-geographic areas. Therefore, this paper argues that the neo-secularisation concept offers a greater sociological potential in this regard. Through the analysis of the macro, mezzo and micro levels of Irish social landscape, the paper provides an in-depth understanding of a changing religious field. The central arguments of the paper are tested against a variety of data including quantitative and qualitative studies.