Expand+Academic Year 2021/2022
Early Irish history is often thought of as a Celtic golden age of art and culture, brought to an end by Viking invaders. The reality was very different. Irish identities were formed by contacts with neighbours and newcomers, ...

Hide-Academic Year 2021/2022
Early Irish history is often thought of as a Celtic golden age of art and culture, brought to an end by Viking invaders. The reality was very different. Irish identities were formed by contacts with neighbours and newcomers, some peaceful and others violent.

This module will examine three core themes. Was Ireland Celtic? How did the Romans influence the peoples of Ireland, their religion and politics? What was the impact of the Vikings? How did they transform Ireland and what were their legacies? The module will offer a fresh way of thinking of the Irish past and will challenge myths of exceptionalism and insularity.

Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this module students should be able to: a) critically examine Celtic influences in Ireland, b) understand the impact of the Roman frontier, c) analyse conversion to Christianity at a formative phase of Irish history, d) have acquired historical and methodological frameworks in order to analyse the organisation of Irish society and e) have acquired an understanding of the impact of the Vikings on early medieval Irish culture and society. These learning outcomes will be underpinned by an active student-centred engagement with primary sources, facilitated though seminar contribution.

Indicative Module Content:
The following core topics will form the bulk of this module:

1) Ireland and the Celts - evidence and influence
2) The impact of the Roman frontier
3) Pagan Irish society
4) Conversion to Christianity
5) The Irish 'Golden Age'
6) Early Irish life and society
7) The Vikings in Ireland: invaders and/or traders?
8) Hiberno-Viking society
9) Hiberno-Viking politics
10) The emergence of Irish identities