Irish History and Identity Course

📋 Course Outline

1. Ireland, the UK, and borders
2. Partition, independence, and sovereignty
3. Identity, diaspora, and social progress
4. The Troubles and political violence
5. Education in Irish history
6. Trinity College and Catholic restrictions
7. The Gaeltacht and the Irish language
8. Saint Patrick’s Day and national symbols

📖 1. Ireland, the UK, and borders

🔑 Key Concepts & Definitions

• Great Britain: Great Britain is an island grouping that includes Scotland, England, and Wales.
• UK: The UK is a state that includes Scotland, England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
• British Isles: The British Isles is a geographical set including Ireland, Scotland, England, and Wales, plus Northern Ireland.
• Republic of Ireland: The Republic of Ireland is the independent part of the island that uses the euro.
• Northern Ireland: Northern Ireland is the part that belongs to the UK and uses the pound sterling.

📝 Essential Points

• A border crossing can require different travel documents, because rules differ across the island.
• Driving conventions and currencies differ between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
• The flag’s green part is linked to Irish nationalism and Catholic identity under British rule.
• The flag’s white area represents reconciliation between green and Protestant communities.
• The flag’s orange part represents Northern Ireland and Protestant unionism.

💡 Memory Hook