Isolation and Connectedness: A Candle for the Diaspora

In this chapter, the author explores the dialectics of isolation and connectedness as experienced by the Irish interlocutors in Germany during the pandemic. Through an examination of adjusted social practices, the text discusses how traditional forms of community engagement and cultural expression were reimagined in the face of enforced physical distancing and travel restrictions. The analysis focuses on the symbolic and actual practices of solidarity, remembrance, grieving and affection that emerged, such as virtual gatherings, the exchange of care packages and consumables, and the adaptation of cultural rituals. The narrative underscores the resilience and creativity of the research collaborators in maintaining a sense of community and their own versions of Irishness in the face of challenging upheaval in their daily routines.