Conference Proceedings - School of Nursing & Midwifery - Trinity ...

School of Nursing & Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin: 8 th Annual Interdisciplinary Research Conference
Transforming Healthcare Through Research, Education & Technology: 7 th – 9 th November 2007
Conference Proceedings
Back to contents page
Multicultural Ireland : Lessons to be learned from the
experience of the Irish in Britain.
Mary Tilki, PhD, MSc, BA, RN, RNT
Principal Lecturer
Middlesex University
Queensway
Enfield
EN3 4SA
UK
Telephone – 0044 208 411 5150
Facsimile- 0044 208 411 6404
Email m.tilki@mdx.ac.uk
Ireland has changed from a society of mass emigration to one with
significant immigration from different parts of the world. While there
are valiant attempts to address this challenge, health authorities
geared towards a predominantly homogeneous population struggle
to provide for people from diverse religious and cultural
backgrounds. There are many lessons which can be learned from
the experience of Irish migrants in Britain. Drawing upon theories of
acculturation, relative deprivation and psychosocial stress,
highlights the relationship between migration, discrimination,
deprivation and health (Tilki 2003). These lessons are highly
applicable to new communities in Ireland, illuminating the
justification for damaging health behaviours, coping strategies and
barriers to health care. As such they have implications for policy,
practice and health promotion in an increasingly multicultural
society.
While the Irish in Britain experience considerable health and social
disadvantage, they also constitute a highly resilient, resourceful and
self-reliant community. The self-reliance of Irish (and other
disadvantaged groups) reflects inadequate, inaccessible or
insensitive services, but is also an expedient, dignified approach to
managing in an uncertain environment (Tilki 2003). It is easy to
problematise migrants or refugees and neglect their capabilities,
tenacity and determination. Notwithstanding the problems that
exist, it is health –promoting in itself to capture abilities, energies
and strengths, to harness and nurture them in empowering ways.
There are many similarities between the experience of Irish
migrants in Britain and new migrants to Ireland. Significant
opportunities exist to reinforce the skills, expertise and
determination of new communities, engaging them and affording
integration for the good of the whole community. The relationship
- 722 -