The emergence of large scale long-term unemployment in the Republic of Ireland suggest that it might provide an interesting case in which to apply the concept of an ?underclass?. In this paper we explore the relationship between labour market marginality, social exclusion and fatalism. No evidence is found of the kind interactions, which would justify applying the term ?underclass? to the Irish case. Instead what we are confronted with is different types of working class marginalization. In relation to what we have termed ?pervasive marginalization? the costs of economic change have been borne disproportionately by those in particular locations. The evidence relating to the social and psychological consequences of labour market detachment, rather than providing support for the value of an underclass perspective, confirm the continued relevance of class analysis.