A New Ireland

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It's not your father's Ireland anymore. This narrative of modern revolution in Ireland is presented by the founder of IrishCentral, Irish America Magazine, and the Irish Voice newspaper. In a May 2019 referendum, Ireland voted overwhelmingly to legalize abortion, following a similar decision three years earlier to permit same-sex marriage, making it the only country to do so through universal suffrage. Pope Francis's visit prompted protests and a much less enthusiastic reception compared to Pope John Paul's forty years prior. Since 1990, Ireland has seen two female heads of state, a historic shift. Prime Minister Leo Varadkar, an openly gay man of Indian descent, noted that "a quiet revolution had taken place." For much of its modern history, Ireland was Europe's most conservative nation, with the Catholic Church exerting immense influence over daily life. Just thirty years ago, debates raged over the legality of condoms, and being LGBTQ+ was socially and politically perilous. As scandals weakened the Church's grip, a new Ireland emerged. The Northern conflict has ended, aided by President Bill Clinton and negotiator George Mitchell. EU membership and American multinational corporations have transformed Ireland from a rural society to the European headquarters for major tech companies. With insights from notable Irish and Irish American figures, this account captures the essence of a remarkable transformation against all odds.