How does the intersection of music and ritual facilitate the integration and identity formation of new immigrant populations within contemporary Ireland? Helen Phelan, an expert in ritual studies and music, examines the shifting cultural landscape of Ireland through the lens of performance. By analyzing diverse ritual practices, she argues that music serves as a primary vehicle for navigating the complexities of belonging in a rapidly diversifying society. The book synthesizes ethnographic research with theoretical frameworks to map how soundscapes contribute to the construction of a 'New Irish' identity.

Scholars in ethnomusicology and Irish studies recognize this work as a significant contribution to the study of performance and social cohesion. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which is well-suited for researchers and students interested in the intersection of ritual and cultural identity.