Ireland Rising: The Birth of a Republic
2016 is the one hundredth anniversary of the famous Easter Rising, a rebellion which, after years of struggle, eventually succeeded in freeing most of Ireland from British rule. In this course, we will visit key sites of the rebellion, including the General Post Office in Dublin and Crumlin Road Gaol in Belfast. We will consider the artistic and literary expressions of Irish identity by attending a performance at the famed Abbey Theatre and exhibitions at Trinity College and the National Museum. And we will contemplate the influence of Ireland’s history and natural resources on its destiny, from ancient Newgrange, to the fabulous Cliffs of Moher, to the Lakes of Killarney. The historical, economic, artistic and environmental modes of thought will combine to create a fully immersive exploration of the birth and growth of a modern republic.