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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A Brief History of St Patrick's DayA Brief History of St Patrick

A Brief History of St Patrick's Day

St Patrick’s Day (17th March) is a global celebration and also a big event in the social calendar of the city of Liverpool with three quarters of the city’s population claiming Irish ancestry. The event is popularly associated with wearing green and drinking Guinness, but what would the real St Patrick have thought of all this?

Posted on: 16 March 2022

Watch the second Annual Seamus Heaney LectureWatch the second Annual Seamus Heaney Lecture

Watch the second Annual Seamus Heaney Lecture

On Thursday 18 November 2021 the Institute of Irish Studies welcomed Professor Roy Foster (Emeritus Professor of Irish History, University of Oxford, and author of On Seamus Heaney) to deliver the second Annual Seamus Heaney Lecture

Posted on: 17 December 2021

Our Favourite Places to Visit Outside of the CityOur Favourite Places to Visit Outside of the City

Our Favourite Places to Visit Outside of the City

Sometimes you just want to take a break from city life, escape for a few hours. We know the feeling! We've put together a few suggestions of where you could go, including some stops along the way. So get your comfy trainers ready because you're about to go on an adventure.

Posted on: 8 August 2021

Exiled Women – English and Irish nuns at home and awayExiled Women – English and Irish nuns at home and away

Exiled Women – English and Irish nuns at home and away

In seventeenth century England, Catholicism was outlawed across the land, punishable by heavy fines, imprisonment, and sometimes execution. Ireland (then under English rule) had just concluded the Nine Year’s War that effectively ended the Gaelic political systems that had survived for centuries, with greater plantation of Protestant settlers to follow.

Posted on: 23 March 2021

Confronting a 'dark and painful reality': the Mother and Baby Homes ReportConfronting a

Confronting a 'dark and painful reality': the Mother and Baby Homes Report

Postgraduate research student Lucy Simpson-Kilbane discusses the Mother and Baby Homes Report, Ireland, published earlier this month following a five-year inquiry.

Posted on: 18 January 2021

Video: In Conversation with Nana Nubi, Author of the Nigerian Heritage Colouring BookVideo: In Conversation with Nana Nubi, Author of the Nigerian Heritage Colouring Book

Video: In Conversation with Nana Nubi, Author of the Nigerian Heritage Colouring Book

The School of Histories, Languages and Cultures at the University of Liverpool was delighted to present Nana Nubi (Founder of the 'Alpha Project' Ireland, author of 'Nigerian Heritage') in conversation with Jacob Hussain (final year undergraduate in Irish Studies) in a live online discussion during Black History Month 2020.

Posted on: 27 October 2020

Welcome to Liverpool! 5 tips for Irish Studies students new to University of LiverpoolWelcome to Liverpool! 5 tips for Irish Studies students new to University of Liverpool

Welcome to Liverpool! 5 tips for Irish Studies students new to University of Liverpool

Welcome week runs from 28 September – 2 October 2020 and is set to be a little different this year, however there are still tons of events and tools that you can use to interact with the department, explore the city and get to know the University of Liverpool as a new student. Here are 5 tips for Irish Studies students during Welcome Week to get yourself settled and in the know as soon as possible:

Posted on: 26 September 2020

‘2020 has given us a new perspective. We need hope’ — the world and home with artist Paul Doran‘2020 has given us a new perspective. We need hope’ — the world and home with artist Paul Doran

‘2020 has given us a new perspective. We need hope’ — the world and home with artist Paul Doran

This month, Outreach Officer Maev McDaid met with Irish artist Paul Doran, who is enjoying great success with his contemporary abstract art exhibitions.

Posted on: 18 September 2020

Historian and journalist Dan Finn talks to the Institute of Irish StudiesHistorian and journalist Dan Finn talks to the Institute of Irish Studies

Historian and journalist Dan Finn talks to the Institute of Irish Studies

Dan Finn is an Irish historian and journalist who works as features editor for Jacobin magazine. He joined Maev McDaid from the Institute of Irish Studies to talk about his book and reflect on some of the ideas around commemoration and national identity. You can watch the full video below and comment your thoughts on the discussion on Twitter: @irishinstitute.

Posted on: 15 September 2020

    Blog

    A Brief History of St Patrick's DayA Brief History of St Patrick

    A Brief History of St Patrick's Day

    St Patrick’s Day (17th March) is a global celebration and also a big event in the social calendar of the city of Liverpool with three quarters of the city’s population claiming Irish ancestry. The event is popularly associated with wearing green and drinking Guinness, but what would the real St Patrick have thought of all this?

    Posted on: 16 March 2022