A People’s History of Ireland

Course Modules

WEEK 1: INTRODUCTION

What sources are available online to help with the course and how to use them. What is the difference between Primary Sources and Secondary Sources and how we use both? Why oral testimonies are so important and what are the pitfalls when we use them? What is the difference between written and recorded testimonies?

An examination of revisionism and Irish history.

WEEK 2: TELLING HISTORY THROUGH OUR PLACES AND STREETS

History surrounds us. It is on our streets, the places we go everyday, our parks, our churches, history is literally everywhere. What are the stories behind some of Ireland’s place names and streets? Why it is important we know the history of our neighbourhoods: Gentrification – Good and Bad. What the students have learned in class will enable them to research a street or place in their locality

WEEK 3: IRISH HISTORY THROUGH SONG

There are so many ways to discover history. This week we will look at how songs have been used to tell the stories of significant events in Irish history.

WEEK 4: AN GORTA MÓR – THE GREAT HUNGER

The Irish Famine is one of, if not the most tragic events to happen in modern Irish history. It was an event that changed Ireland forever, the scars of which can be seen throughout the Irish landscape.  We will approach it from the perspective of the population at large.

Week 5: IRELAND IN THE 19^th CENTURY – A LOCAL PERSPECTIVE

The 1800s in Ireland was a century that witnessed political upheaval, revolution, famine, mass emigration, land agitation and the rise of two Irish political figures who took on and succeeded to a degree, the British establishment.This week we will look at key events in the 1800s but from a local perspective. How did these events affect a community, in this case The Liberties in Dublin.

WEEK 6: 1916 EASTER RISING & WAR OF INDEPENDENCE 1919 – 1921

The Easter Rising was a turning point in Irish history. Although a military failure, it was the spark that ignited the flame of revolution in the Irish people.  This week we will look at the Easter Rising and its aftermath including:

Key figures, but also the ordinary rank and file members who took part

The events of Easter Week and the immediate aftermath

Kathleen Clarke: The Most Important Figure after 1916

Reorganisation 1916 – 1917: Emerging Leaders

1918: The People Speak Out

WEEK 7 & 8: THE IRISH WAR OF INDEPENDENCE 1919-1921

Between 1919 1921, the IRA fought a guerrilla war against the British for Irish independence. Within that short period of time, people who had been regarded as murderers brought the British government to the negotiating table. Although full independence was not won, it was a signal to other colonies of Britain around the world, that freedom was achievable. This week we will look at the events that changed the course of Irish history forever and those who were involved including:

1919 – First Shots

1920 – The Gloves Are Off

Case Study: Women and Bloody Sunday 1920

1921 – When Will It Ever End?

Case Study: The Burning of the Custom House 1921 By Those Who Were There

WEEK 9: THE IRISH CIVIL WAR

This week we will look at the causes of the Civil War, the main protagonists and the tragic events that took place during that time including:

The Treaty and Dáil Debates

Efforts to avert Civil War

The Civil War 1922 – 1923

The Role of Women in the Civil War

Case Study: A Family Divided – The Hales Brothers and the Irish Revolution

Case Study: Telling the Civil War Through One Photograph

WEEK 10: BUILDING A NEW IRELAND

The Irish Free State was almost bankrupt. However, despite this the new Irish State undertook a huge social housing project, ‘The Tenters’ in the Liberties in Dublin. How did the state complete this scheme successfully and what did it say about the new Ireland.

Course Award

City Colleges Diploma

Lecturer

Liz Gillis

Historian and author Liz Gillis is from the Liberties. She is the author of six books about the Irish Revolution  including, ‘The Fall of Dublin’, ‘Women of the Irish Revolution’ and ‘The Hales Brothers and the Irish Revolution’ and  ‘May 25: The Burning of the Custom House 1921’. Liz has worked as a researcher on numerous publications, television and radio documentaries covering the period.

In 2021, Liz was appointed Historian in Residence for Dublin South County Council for the Decade of Centenaries. She also works as a Researcher for the History Show on RTE Radio and lectures at Champlain College Dublin.  Liz was a Historical Consultant for the new Custom House Visitor Centre. She was a Curatorial Assistant in RTE, specialising in researching the Easter Rising and a tour guide for many years in Kilmainham Gaol.   

In 2018 Liz was a recipient of the Lord Mayor’s Award for her contribution to history. She is also the co-organiser of the annual conference on the burning of the Custom House in May 1921.

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