IRISH HOUSEHOLDS IN THE EARLY 20TH-CENTURY - CULTURE, CLASS, AND HISTORICAL CONTINGENCY

This article explores the place of the Irish within European family history by comparing early twentieth century household patterns of four occupational groups (strong farmers, modest farmers, nonagricultural people, and laborers) within a small region of Country Kerry. While shared cultural values unify the Irish patterns in some respects, the different resource configurations of the four occupational groups generate clear differences. Some of the variability is strongly influenced by specific historical factors.