LG112 / LG112A (An) Introduction to Contemporary Ireland Iain McMenamin Office hour: Thursdays 11-12, or by appointment Course details on moodle.dcu.ie Assessment: Two equally weighted essays of 2,000 words Provisional due dates: Essay One: Thursday 29 th April Essay Two: Thursday 6 th May

Newgrange / Brú na Bóinne, Co. Meath Passage grave, c BC Were the people who built this Irish?

“The Island of Saints and Scholars” Irish monks (along with the Arabs) Preserved much of Western culture and re-transmitted it to Europe. They even experimented with wave power! The riches of Irish monasteries attracted Viking invaders from Northern Europe. Vikings founded the first towns in Ireland. Ireland was ethnically mixed and enjoyed a mix of cultural influences before the Normans arrived.

Glendalough Monastery, Co. Wicklow Founded by St. Kevin in the 6 th century

Norman Invasion, c Invaders became “more Irish than the Irish themselves” “Old Irish” and “Anglo-Irish” lords and clans dominated Ireland The English crown only controlled an area around Dublin, called “The Pale” Tudor Conquest, Gaelic aristocracy defeated in frequently intense and prolonged warfare. Crown’s rule extended across the country. Failed religious reformation and enduring hostility of Catholics.

Plantations of Ireland

Continuing Civil and Religious War, Seventeenth Century Battle of the Boyne Willliam of Orange defeats James – A comprehensive and final victory for Protestantism. Mural of “King Billy” in Belfast

The Protestant Ascendancy, Eighteenth Century “The Penal Laws” marginalised Catholics politically, socially and economically They did not manage to convert many Catholics - “take the shilling” Late eighteenth century was a period of prosperity, especially in Dublin Rebellion Last large battles fought on Irish soil Leaders were inspired by the French Revolution and dreamed of an Irish nation that would unite “Catholic, Protestant and Dissenter” Local rebellions often had very different aims and causes.

The Age of Nationalism, Nineteenth Century Create a nation to replace the existing settlement: Nationalism is a modern ideology that emphasises continuity with pre-modern communities. Undo remaining penal laws, 1828: “The Liberator”, Daniel O’Connell Undo the Act of Union: “Home Rule” within the British Empire (but “physical force” tradition continued) Improve conditions of rural masses: The Land League (Re-)invent Irish culture: The Gaelic League, Gaelic Athletic Association, The Abbey Theatre

O’Connell’s Grave in Glasnevin

The Great Hunger / Great Famine Last great famine of Western Europe Failure of potato crop From population of over 8 million, c. 1 million die, c. 1 million emigrate Population continues to decline until 1961 Irish language increasingly marginalised after this point.

The Irish “Revolution” Easter Rising 1916, small and initially unpopular By 1918, Sinn Féin replaces the Irish Parliamentary Party: Independence replaces Home Rule War of Independence Guerrilla war Treaty establishes Irish “Free State”

Michael Collins, Independence Leader Sinn Féin splits on the role of the King in the Constitution. Pro-Treaty faction win election and civil war.

Independent Ireland, Highly conservative revolutionaries, Political, administrative systems modelled on Britain. No attempt at major social and economic change. Greatest achievement was peace, law and order. Greatest failure was renaissance of Irish language. Extreme deference to the Catholic Church In spite of various special concessions, there was a steady stream of Protestant emigration.

Relatively weakly committed to economic development and increasing prosperity. Neutral in the Second World War. Economic stagnation and emigration in the 1950s. Eamon de Valera, head of government , ,

Ireland and the First World War In Ireland, like other countries, history is written by the winners. Ireland, like other countries, has competing histories, not a single history. Irish nationalists fought in large numbers in the First World War and saw it as consistent with their nationalist aims. Independent Ireland was uncomfortable with the memory of the War. The 1916 Declaration of the Republic referred to “august allies in Europe”.

Irish National War Memorial, Islandbridge, Dublin