Historian Diarmaid Ferriter has called on Irish society to stay vigilant against those that promote oversimplification when seeking to reconcile with historical grievances, stressing the importance of maintaining depth and complexity of understanding. Speaking at the unveiling of his latest book, The Revelation of Ireland: 1995-2020 in Dublin, Ferriter discusses Ireland’s transformation over a quarter of a century, marked by momentous shifts in economy, society and culture. These include the Celtic Tiger economic boom and a shift towards more secular debates on issues such as abortion, women’s rights and homosexual marriage.
Through his book, Ferriter seeks to reconcile with both public and personal histories. He asserts that his aim is not to depict Ireland as a failed state or society, but to offer a narrative that reinforces the importance of perspective and complexity of understanding in an increasingly simplified and distorted world. He cautions against cynicism and blind judgement, calling for more nuanced insights into the past.
According to Ferriter, the corrosive spread of misinformation disguised as factual knowledge is one of the most harmful developments in recent history, particularly when it is applied in a self-righteous and bitter form. Instead of guilt-tripping past generations, Ferriter argues for the need to shine light on historical errors, recognizing that while correcting an abuse of power may lead to a rise in intolerance, it serves as a necessary step toward progress.
Ferriter further remarks on the need for Irish society to understand the long-term formation of alliances and divisions. His book scrutinizes Ireland’s ability to resist harmful trends visible in other countries, and prompts a discussion on the definition and measurement of societal progress.