Ireland Course: The Celts to the Celtic Tiger

History. See the future. It’s in the past.

The world as we know it today has been shaped by events of the past. Learn about history the smart way with History courses at the University of Sydney.

This history course provides an introduction to Irish History through including beliefs, legends, customs, festival celebrations and storytelling traditions, as well as the small matter of history, geography and religion. The class covers Irish History from the past to the present, encompassing luminary figures in history that have shaped the politics of this country.

Course Content

Celtic, Viking & Norman History of Ireland

From the beginning, Ireland wore a welcome sign to invaders, or so it seems. We explore the different impact each invasion had on the Emerald Isle and how the Vikings and the Norman particularly, became more Irish than the Irish themselves.

History of Ireland as part of the British Empire

From the 12th Century until 1921, Ireland was part of the British Empire. We examine the turbulent history through a series of important characters and the role they played, both good and bad, in the history of Irish politics from Home Rule to Anglo-Irish Treaty – Elizabeth 1, Oliver Cromwell, Daniel O’Connell, Charles Stewart Parnell and Padraig Pearse.

Ireland’s Independence – 1916, Collins & De Valera

We examine the rise and fall of the 1916 Easter Rising and the political impact, as well as some of the main protagonists who rose out of the rebellion and who had a role to play in the War of Independence and the Civil War, namely Eamonn de Valera and Michael Collins.

Irish Culture – The Land of Saints & Scholars

We examine the profound impact Irish Culture has had on the world. From the Book of Kells to U2, we look at all components of Irish society - language, sport, music and literature. From Guinness to hurling and all in between we also look at the lighter side of Irish life, from shamrocks to shenanigans!

Ireland – now and the future?

We examine how Ireland transformed it under the Celtic Tiger, and how it has regressed since. We look at the impact this has had on Irish Australia and the diaspora of Irish around the world and what the future holds for the Emerald Isle.

Topics covered within the above chapter framework:

• Mesolithic & Neolithic Ireland
• Celts & St. Patrick
• The Vikings & The Normans
• The Flight of the Earls
• Wolf Tone
• The Act of Union & Daniel O’Connell
• Catholic Emancipation and The Famine
• The Fenians & Home Rule
• The 1916 Rising
• The War of Independence
• The Civil War & The Treaty
• Fianna Fail & Fianna Gael
• 1937 Consitution
• Neutrality during WW2
• 1960’s – Civil Rights Movement & "The Troubles"
• The Celtic Tiger, 2012 & Beyond.