1. LG112 / LG112A (An) Introduction to Contemporary Ireland Iain McMenamin iain.mcmenamin@dcu.ie Office hour: Mondays 11-12, or by appointment Course details on moodle.dcu.ie Assessment: 10% for Group Simulation (Tuesday 29 March & Thursday 21 April), 40% for Essay One (due 1pm Tuesday 5 April); 50% for Essay Two (due 3 pm Thursday 5 May).

2. Newgrange / Brú na Bóinne, Co. Meath Passage grave, c. 3000 BC Were the people who built this Irish?

3. “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.

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

5. Norman Invasion, c. 1170 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, 1470-1603 Gaelic aristocracy defeated in frequently intense and prolonged warfare. Crown’s rule extended across the country. Failed religious reformation and enduring hostility of Catholics.

6. Plantations of Ireland

7. 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

8. 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. 1798 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.

9. 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

10. O’Connell’s Grave in Glasnevin

11. The Great Hunger / Great Famine 1845-50 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.