Irish Studies blog

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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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The Letters of John McGahern and the Undergraduate Research SchemeThe Letters of John McGahern and the Undergraduate Research Scheme

The Letters of John McGahern and the Undergraduate Research Scheme

The Undergraduate Research Scheme gave students Lauren Price and Richard Snowden-Leak the opportunity to work closely for a two week period with Professor Frank Shovlin of the Institute of Irish Studies on his major project, The Letters of John McGahern, providing them with a more intimate insight into one of Ireland’s most important literary figures.

Posted on: 23 July 2020

Everything You Need to Know About Irish StudiesEverything You Need to Know About Irish Studies

Everything You Need to Know About Irish Studies

Hello, my name is Beth and I am a Third Year Irish Studies student at the University of Liverpool. I wanted to provide an insight as to what it is like to study Irish Studies at the University of Liverpool, and hopefully answer any queries you may have regarding the course.

Posted on: 9 June 2020

Culture and COVID: an interview with Eva O’Connor Culture and COVID: an interview with Eva O’Connor

Culture and COVID: an interview with Eva O’Connor

Earlier this month the Institute of Irish Studies launched Culture Unconfined, an online festival of film, drama, music and poetry. Culture is an important facet in the study of Ireland and the Institute remains committed to supporting and promoting the voices of Irish artists, especially during these unprecedented times. Last week, Maev McDaid from the Institute of Irish Studies caught up with Eva O’Connor, an emerging writer-performer from Ogonnelloe County Clare with a string of accolades to her bow, about life as an artist under COVID.

Posted on: 29 May 2020

Revisit the Great Famine Voices RoadshowRevisit the Great Famine Voices Roadshow

Revisit the Great Famine Voices Roadshow

The Institute of Irish Studies was delighted to co-host the Great Famine Voices Roadshow Liverpool on Saturday 2 May with the Irish National Famine Museum at Strokestown Park and Irish Heritage Trust, supported by our partners Liverpool Irish Festival and the Liverpool Great Hunger Commemoration Committee.

Posted on: 5 May 2020

Emmeline Pankhurst: A Women's History Month SpecialEmmeline Pankhurst: A Women

Emmeline Pankhurst: A Women's History Month Special

Emmeline Pankhurst is an iconic figure in the fight for women’s suffrage in Britain. Through her organisation, the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU), she campaigned for women’s rights. My research explores the connections between the Pankhurst family and Irish nationalism in Britain. In the case of Emmeline, Irish nationalism provided her with a political education which she publicised in her autobiography My Own Story.

Posted on: 6 March 2020

The Best Irish Studies Podcasts to Listen to Right NowThe Best Irish Studies Podcasts to Listen to Right Now

The Best Irish Studies Podcasts to Listen to Right Now

Looking for a way to learn on the go? Maybe you need a break from reading or you just can’t take sitting at a desk all day. That’s where podcasts come in. An entertaining yet informative way of learning is right at your fingertips. Pick up your phone and choose from the list below of Irish Studies podcasts you just can’t miss.

Posted on: 6 March 2020

Watch: Mary Robinson discusses women's leadership and climate changeWatch: Mary Robinson discusses women

Watch: Mary Robinson discusses women's leadership and climate change

Former President of Ireland Mary Robinson spoke about women’s leadership and climate change at a special event organised by the London Irish Lawyers Association in association with the University of Liverpool’s Institute of Irish Studies.

Posted on: 23 January 2020

Our top revision tips for exam season Our top revision tips for exam season

Our top revision tips for exam season

It’s that time of year again. But you’ve got this. Deep breath.

Posted on: 6 January 2020

How the Institute’s “Agreement” exhibition came about (Ken Bartley, ArtisAnn Gallery)How the Institute’s “Agreement” exhibition came about (Ken Bartley, ArtisAnn Gallery)

How the Institute’s “Agreement” exhibition came about (Ken Bartley, ArtisAnn Gallery)

As all good winter’s tales begin... it was a crisp, frosty Christmas Eve when I bumped into old friend and colleague Prof Pete Shirlow, Director of The Institute of Irish Studies, as he strolled along Belfast’s Ormeau Road. Since our days, many years ago, working at Queen’s University, Pete was now running a major “Arts for Reconciliation” research project, while I was the co-owner of the ArtisAnn contemporary art gallery in Belfast. We chatted about the potential for an exhibition to mark 20 years of peace in Northern Ireland since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement.

Posted on: 29 November 2019

    Blog

    The Letters of John McGahern and the Undergraduate Research SchemeThe Letters of John McGahern and the Undergraduate Research Scheme

    The Letters of John McGahern and the Undergraduate Research Scheme

    The Undergraduate Research Scheme gave students Lauren Price and Richard Snowden-Leak the opportunity to work closely for a two week period with Professor Frank Shovlin of the Institute of Irish Studies on his major project, The Letters of John McGahern, providing them with a more intimate insight into one of Ireland’s most important literary figures.

    Posted on: 23 July 2020