"university" blog posts
Bram Stoker, Dracula and the Irish Gothic
On the 20th of April 1912, legendary author Bram Stoker passed away. He is most famous for penning Dracula, published in 1897. The novel, and characters within it, have left a long, exciting legacy of adaptations, in various forms. Now, over 100 years later, we look into the teaching of Dr. Niall Carson on Dracula, within the context of the Irish Gothic in his teachings on Irish Literature at the University of Liverpool.
Posted on: 2 April 2024
Highlights from our Prince of Wales and President of Ireland visit!
We were excited to welcome the Prince of Wales and President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins to the Victoria Gallery and Museum on campus this week, to sign a joint patronage agreement for the Insititute. Before the signing, they were happy to meet the crowds waiting outside, as well as chatting to staff, students, alumni and many more guests inside the gallery.
Posted on: 14 February 2019
Bertie Ahern on the Good Friday Agreement, Brexit and a United Ireland
Following the 11th Dr John Kennedy CBE KSG KCMCO DL DHI Lecture in Irish Studies given by Bertie Ahern, we sat down with the former Taoiseach to discuss the Good Friday Agreement, the impact of Brexit on relations between Ireland and the UK, and the prospect of a United Ireland.
Posted on: 20 December 2018
Irish Studies students visit Western Approaches War Museum
On 5 December, students in Dr. Arrington’s War Writing class (IRIS326 ENGL488) visited Western Approaches, Liverpool’s Second World War Museum, housed in the top-secret bunker under Derby House from which Admiral Max Horton, Commander-in-Chief of the British Navy, won the Battle of the Atlantic. One student, a native of Liverpool, commented, “I had no idea it was even here!”
Posted on: 10 December 2018
"I will look back on it as a watershed moment in my life" — Institute of Irish Studies MA student Ronan Gerrard interns with The London Magazine
Before Ronan Gerrard graduated from the University of Liverpool with a joint degree in English and Irish Studies in summer 2018, he benefited from two weeks of work experience at Britain’s oldest literary periodical, The London Magazine. In their long history stretching back as far as 1732, the magazine has boasted contributions from the Romantic poets Shelley and Keats to 20th century masters such as Ted Hughes and Sylvia Plath. Discover some of Ronan's experiences of working with the publication.
Posted on: 25 October 2018
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 ‘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 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
How Representative was the Representation of the People Act?
As the UK commemorates 100 years since (some) women were given the right to vote, Dr Diane Urquhart considers how 'representative' the 1918 Representation of the People Act was.
Posted on: 5 February 2018
Our top tips to beat the Blue Monday blues this January
January blues can be tough. But what should you do when Blue Monday comes around when you're trying to prepare for your exams?
Posted on: 15 January 2018
Terror and the Troubles in English popular memory
There is something decidedly uncanny about the emotionally charged aftermaths of the recent terrorist atrocities committed in the Manchester Arena and London Bridge. While journalists and broadcasters, politicians and police chiefs exclaim the unprecedented nature of the attacks, there is a strange familiarity about the widespread invocation of a redemptive ‘blitz spirit,’ calls for tighter security, and of course, the popular attacks on a minority population associated with the terrorists by ethnic designation.
Posted on: 4 August 2017
Stakeknife - The Spy in the IRA.
Irish Studies PhD Candidate Dean Farquhar discusses the BBC Panorama episode 'Stakeknife'.
Posted on: 18 April 2017
From Guns to Government: Martin McGuinness, IRA volunteer and Deputy First Minster of Northern Ireland
Irish republicanism expert Dr Kevin Bean traces the journey of Martin McGuinness from IRA volunteer to Deputy First Minster of Northern Ireland.
Posted on: 22 March 2017
How do people across the world celebrate St Patrick's Day?
Dubai. Montserrat. Croatia. Taiwan. Canada. Huddersfield. A diverse list, united by a common factor: at some point during the week around 17 March, each of these places will somehow celebrate the feast day of St Patrick.
Posted on: 17 March 2017
Irish writer, John Boyne, talks about his new novel 'The Heart's Invisible Furies'
What better way to get inspired about literature during your studies, than to get up close with a New York Times best-selling writer!
Posted on: 21 February 2017
Beat stress and visit these top places to chill out in Liverpool
January blues can be tough. But what should you do when Blue Monday comes around when you're trying to prepare for your exams?
Posted on: 16 January 2017