Roddy Doyle’s The Commitments deals with the lives of the Dublin working-class in the late 1980s. It shows the changing Irishness of the late 20th century, which has not been fully discussed. Until the mid-20th century, it had been considered that nationalism, Catholicism and rural areas represented Irishness. However, Irish society has been affected by globalization since the 1960s. In an urbanized, industrialized, and globalized society, urban workers, not farmers, most suitably represent Irishness. The process of Jimmy and his friends organizing and operating a soul music band describes not only the struggles of the working-class but Irish identity, which is different from patriarchal nationalism. Unlike nationalists, these young men are sensitive to changing trends and use ideology and politics to pursue their practical interests. In addition, Doyle’s narrative techniques show Ireland is breaking away from patriarchal authority.