Revolution in Ireland 1912-23 module (HY41024)

The idea that Ireland experienced a national revolution between 1912 to 1923 emerged in the 1970s and has been adopted by some historians ever since. Yet, the ‘Irish revolution’ is contested by some historians. This module tests the credibility of the Irish revolution as a historical concept.

To do this, we must evaluate what the Irish nationalists achieved by 1923, in terms of sovereignty, national self-determination, and national unity. In the process of testing the Irish revolution we will deconstruct the narratives which legitimise the revolution, notably the southern Irish nationalism fostered inside the southern Irish state and related British imperial narratives.

While studying the major political events in the revolutionary decade, we will also learn how history is constructed in response to contemporary events. Ending in 1923, is the so-called Irish revolution emerging in the literature in the 1970s was partly a response to the post-1968 ‘Troubles’ in Northern Ireland.

What you will learn

In this module you will: 

• identify the ideological positions historians adopt
• discuss major historiographical developments in Irish history
• reflect critically on why historical narratives emerge and change
• consider how historians responded to the crisis in Northern Ireland after 1968
• engage with case studies such as the 'ethnic cleansing' of Southern Irish Protestants in the early 1920s

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• think critically about the way histories are constructed and how historians select, use, and even invent evidence
• better understand the relationship between contemporary events, history-writing, and historiography
• be a better historian!

Assignments / assessment

• essay (45%)
• group presentation (15%)
• journal (40%)

This module does not have a final exam.

Teaching methods / timetable

Teaching is conducted via weekly seminars