I open truthfully, and say I didn't thouroghly read the article, but did gaze through it for curiosity, and agree or not, the man is mostly accurate in what he was saying.
Ireland within the last 10 years has rapidly advanced, especially in the "technological" area's. A relation of mine recently visited the U.S, and was most tickled to see mobile (cell) phones on sale over there, that had come and gone out of fashion over here a year previous. That one rather surprised me.

We have indeed become a contienental style culture with plenty of employment, A good strong economy, political and social well being, and security within ourselves. every point raised in the article was indeed relevant, and correct, but as also stated, this comes at a price. I fear too, that some of our traditional heritage may be lost to the whirl of modernisation, removing the irish people from their roots and placing them, and moulding them into a larger community, that lacks the local traits.

The Ireland of Grassy knolls, quaint people, wearing brouges, and full of the Blarney, with a Devil may care attitude, I'm afraid largely only exists in the mind of uneducated foreigners, and has done for some time.

No offence meant to you, or anyone, but that is my opinion on the subject, and i hope i've confirmed what you may or may not have liked to hear
All the best
Toenails