Irish Studies blog

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If you want to know more about what makes studying with us unique, then this is the blog for you.

We'll give you an alternative look at our Irish Studies degree courses, share the stories behind our research and bring you interviews from behind the scenes.

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Sinn Féin leader, Mary Lou McDonald: "Brexit and the Good Friday Agreement are incompatible"Sinn Féin leader, Mary Lou McDonald: "Brexit and the Good Friday Agreement are incompatible"

Sinn Féin leader, Mary Lou McDonald: "Brexit and the Good Friday Agreement are incompatible"

Sinn Féin leader, Mary Lou McDonald talks reconciliation, Brexit and what the ‘Repeal the Eighth’ result says to the world about modern Ireland, in this video interview, ahead of her keynote speech at the University.

Posted on: 9 October 2018

Refugees and forced displacement in Northern Ireland’s ‘TroublesRefugees and forced displacement in Northern Ireland’s ‘Troubles

Refugees and forced displacement in Northern Ireland’s ‘Troubles

My research, funded by the 2017/18 Busteed Postdoctoral Scholarship at the Institute of Irish Studies, sheds light on the often-overlooked experiences of people who suffered displacement during the Northern Ireland conflict.

Posted on: 2 October 2018

Searching for Gerard KeenanSearching for Gerard Keenan

Searching for Gerard Keenan

Kavanagh’s Weekly is arguably the closest literary approximation to a barroom brawl ever put to print. When I first saw the name of Gerard Keenan in its pages, the feeling was akin to the sensation of the corner-eye-sighting of a reflection in a dusty mirror.

Posted on: 10 July 2018

Oklahoma, James Joyce and 'The Book of Days'Oklahoma, James Joyce and

Oklahoma, James Joyce and 'The Book of Days'

16 June is Bloomsday, celebrating 16 June 1904, the date depicted in James Joyce’s novel, 'Ulysses'. PhD student, Liss Farrell is researching the brother relationship in James Joyce’s 'Finnegans Wake'. Interested in the interplay between Joyce’s real-life relationship with his brother Stanislaus and the Wake, Liss travelled to the University of Tulsa in Oklahoma to read his diary: ‘The Book of Days’.

Posted on: 14 June 2018

Four things to see and do in Liverpool if you're interested in Irish history and cultureFour things to see and do in Liverpool if you

Four things to see and do in Liverpool if you're interested in Irish history and culture

With Summer now upon us, you might be looking for things to do in Merseyside before the start of the new term (trust us, this will come around very quickly!). While teaching may be over until September, there’s still plenty of things to see and do in Liverpool if you're interested in Irish history and culture - from museum trails to live poetry:

Posted on: 11 June 2018

Shame, stigma, and the abortion debate in IrelandShame, stigma, and the abortion debate in Ireland

Shame, stigma, and the abortion debate in Ireland

Exploring the stigma and shame surrounding abortion in Ireland, Masters student Rebecca Boast looks at both sites of the debate, in the lead up to Ireland's referendum.

Posted on: 24 May 2018

"Building a people’s peace" - Nichola Mallon, deputy leader of the SDLP"Building a people’s peace" - Nichola Mallon, deputy leader of the SDLP

"Building a people’s peace" - Nichola Mallon, deputy leader of the SDLP

This guest blog by Nichola Mallon, deputy leader of the SDLP and former Lord Mayor of Belfast (2014-2015), looks at the challenges facing the city of Belfast and the progress that has been made, influenced by the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement.

Posted on: 30 April 2018

On the streets of Belfast: entering the “everydayness of violence”On the streets of Belfast: entering the “everydayness of violence”

On the streets of Belfast: entering the “everydayness of violence”

This guest blog by photographer Chad Alexander, who was born in 1990, reveals his experiences capturing images of Belfast and life in the city after the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement.

Posted on: 20 April 2018

Liverpool: Celebrating 10 years as the Capital of CultureLiverpool: Celebrating 10 years as the Capital of Culture

Liverpool: Celebrating 10 years as the Capital of Culture

This year, Liverpool will come together once more to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of being named the European Capital of Culture. Here, we will explore some of the highlights 2018 will bring as a celebration, and check out some other big names that turn 10, too!

Posted on: 14 February 2018