History and Culture of Ireland

Timetable

Module aim (aims)

The aim of the course is to give students an overview of Irish historical developments from ancient times to the present and to introduce certain interesting aspects of Irish culture.

Pre-requisites in terms of knowledge, skills and social competences (where relevant)

A good understanding of the English language is an essential pre-requisite. No prior knowledge of Irish history or culture is essential. 

Syllabus

Week 1:            An Introduction to the course and prehistorical Ireland dating back to 8,000 BC   

Week 2:            Druids, file and ancient burial sites.      

Week 3:            The gradual arrival of the Celts.              

Week 4:            The coming of Christianity to Ireland and the power of the monasteries.  

Week 5:            The arrival of the Vikings.        

Week 6:            Medieval Irish folklore, the greatest Irish hurler Cúchulainn+ the Land of Eternal Youth    

Week 7:            The unique sports of Ireland.    

Week 8:            Irish music and dance.

Week 9:            The influence of the Normans in Ireland and the betrayal of Dermott MacMurrough          

Week 10: The Great Celtic Chieftains and the Flight of the Earls.  

Week 11: Plantations of Ireland + Rebellions      

Week 12: Protestant Ascendancy           

Week 13: The Act of Union, Daniel O’Connell, the Irish famine and Charles Stuart Parnell  

Week 14: Revolutionary Ireland 1916-1923 + its aftermath         

Week 15: The Northern Ireland Troubles. 

Reading list

1. A Pocket history of Ireland: Joseph McCullough. Gill and Macmillan 2010.
2. Modern Ireland 1600-1972: R.F Foster. Penguin Publishing Group 1989
3. The Transformation of Ireland: Diarmaid Ferriter Profile Books Ltd 2005
4. The Story of Ireland TV Series introduced by Fergal Keane. 5 episodes BBC DVD
5. The Cambridge Companion to Modern Irish Culture: Editors Joe Cleary and Claire Connolly. Cambridge University Press 2005