How would you approach the essay topic, 'Explain how throughout history, folklore has been an important aspect of Irish development and culture.'

I think I would want to start by identifying the way in
which folklore is actually an improtant part of every single culture, not just Irish
culture. You could relate your discussion to the role of epic literature in showing how
such myths and legends--the stuff of folklore--are so vital in creating a sense of
national and cultural identity that separate people from others and give them a sense of
nationhood and something to believe in. Clearly this is something that we can easily see
to be true for the Greeks in The Iliad and The
Odyssey, but also for the Romans in The Aeneid. I have
included a few links for you below so that you can learn more about Irish folktales, but
even the most cursory review and the enduring popularity of such tales shows how these
myths and legends are important in creating a sense of identity and self that of course
is vital in establishing an Irish culture.