1916: cross-curricular approaches to the Easter Rising & the Western Front

For links to further resources, please go tohttp://iisresource.org.1916.aspx

Events in 1916 underline the importance of including Ireland in the curriculum in Britain.

A cruel choice

First, the Easter Rising and events on the Western Front highlighted the complex loyalties and shared values underpinningthe United Kingdom, raising the question:Why did some Irish men and women fight against the British army,appealing for German aid, during the Easter Rising in Ireland,while other Irishmen joined the British army to fight against Germany?Secondly, the richness and quality of responses to this choice demonstrate just how much Ireland makes learning not onlyenjoyable and challenging but also accessible to all.

A cross-curricular approach to exploring the 'cruel choice'

through classical art

The Birth of the Republic

by Walter Paget, 1916, anartist’s impression of the scene inside the General PostOffice, Dublin, at the height of the Easter Rising, justbefore the surrender.

The Attack by the 36th (Ulster) Division, Somme, 1st July 1916

by James Prinsep Beadle, 1917,commemorating the heavy losses suffered by theDivision.

through popular art - murals

Republican mural, Whiterock Road, Belfast, 1991‘Éirí amach na casca 1916-1991' (Easter Rising),marking the 75th anniversary of the, with portraits of signatories of the Proclamation of Independence, andphoenix rising from the flames and sunburst.Loyalist mural, Albertbridge Road, Belfast, 1988‘But Never Heart Forget’, commemorating the UlsterDivision which suffered severe casualties at the Battleof the Somme, 1916.

Continued ..../

through historical novels

The traumatic experience of 1916 is told through the eyes of two young people from very different backgrounds,Jimmy Conway, aged 12, and Amelia Pim, aged 15.In

The Guns of Easter

, Jimmy's father, James Conway,aged 30, (Da), joins the British Army and is fighting inWorld War I. His uncle, on his mother’s side, MickHealy is 21 and takes part in the Easter Rising.In

No Peace for Amelia

, her boyfriend, FrederickGoodbody, joins the British Army, although a Quaker.Her friend (and cook-general to the Pim household) isMary Ann Maloney, aged 16. Mary Ann’s olderbrother, Patrick Maloney, seeks Mary Ann's help whenhe becomes involved in the Easter Rising.

through poetry

He shall not hear the bittern cryIn the wild sky, where he is lain'Thomas McDonagh'(Executed in 1916; translated a classic Gaelic Irishpoem 'The Yellow Bittern'.)Thomas Ledwidge (1891-1917)Now and in time to beWherever green is worn,Are changed, changed utterly,A terrible beauty is born.‘Easter 1916’W.B. Yeats (1865-1839)And now I'm drinking wine in France,The helpless child of circumstance.Tomorrow will be loud for war,How will I be accounted for? ...A keen-edged sword, a soldier's heart,Is greater than a poet's art.And greater than a poet's fameA little grave that has no name‘Soliloquy’Thomas Ledwidge (1891-1917)

through contemporary documents

Ireland is not at war with Germany. England is at warwith Germany. We are Irish nationalists and the onlyduty we can have is to stand for Ireland’s interest.I heard a Catholic priest preaching about how littleCatholic Belgium had been attacked by Germany andwas suffering. I joined the British Army after that.Arthur Griffith, Sinn Fein leader, 1914John O’Reilly, a bank clerk in Co. Cavan, aged 18when the war started.