Renaissance Nation

How the Pope's Children Rewrote the Rules for Ireland

By: David McWilliams

Narrated by: David McWilliams

In four decades, bookended by the Pope’s visits to Ireland in September 1979 and August 2018, Ireland has become one of the wealthiest and most progressive nations in the world, a bustling home to multinationals and start-ups, seemingly immune to the strains of radical populism sweeping the Western world. It’s a far cry from the dreary and stagnant nation of 40 years ago.

If we look at the data, but for the recent economic crash that should have but didn’t derail the country for decades, the Irish economy appears to have burst from the blocks in 1990 and kept on going. So how did we manage it? How did we go from economic embarrassment to avocado toast in the space of a generation? The answer, David McWilliams compellingly argues, isn’t to be found in the official records of government. Instead, this was a revolution from below, born of "a million little mutinies" in Irish society, a wholesale shift in the way normal people see and think about themselves.

Characteristically brilliant and timely, Renaissance Nation is a thrilling account of Ireland’s vertiginous rise and a timely exploration of its conflicted present, where stark decisions await the next generation of would-be revolutionaries.

©2018 Gill Books (P)2019 David McWilliams

Not Ireland's history, a story of it's future

Required reading for those who think of Ireland as the land of Lucky Charms & car bombs. The whole book is pure insight, but "Part 2" is something special. The author creates several 2020 Irish archetypes then sends the reader through a hailstorm of modern pop culture on the island. I understood 40% of the references and feel qualified for citizenship.

great irish economic and social commentary.

David has returned with another enjoyable book. I have previously read the generation room and the popes' children. This book comes to life with colorful character depictions , flat white man, sliochtar mom and sleeve man comical and accurate to the Ireland we live in.

He has some very good ideas about maintaining the future prosperity and how to deal with some of the countries immanent policy issues. I hope future political leaders come knocking on his door for good advice.

I also checked out his podcasts which has very similar content if you enjoyed the read/listen.

An analysis for posterity

Plain spoken yet technical. Just like the podcast. McWilliams has built a very clear and accurate narrative describing the Ireland of the late teens marking a vital point in time pre-Covid.