Mapping civil society in the Republic of Ireland

This article maps civil society in the Republic of Ireland against the background of significant social and economic change and the resurgence of government interest in fostering active citizen engagement in communities. The article provides an analytical overview of the substantial body of literature that has emerged on different aspects of civil society in the Republic of Ireland. Taking stock of the literature is both timely and important, as it reflects broader trends towards reflection on the role of civil society in modern Ireland, and research has a leading role to play in guiding future strategies for civil society, actors. Mapping exercises contribute to our understanding of the dynamics of civil society, which is salient to the success of future policy and to identifying avenues for future research.