Irish History
Scarcely, if at all, less important than the study and development of the Irish Language is the study and understanding of Irish History. Let not the ready critic accuse us of abandoning the root idea, the single purpose of the Gaelic League. By no means. The preservation of the historical national language as the living language of the country is the one and only object of the League; upon that we base all our ideas of nationhood; to that we look for the motive power in a glorious future.
It is impossible, however, for the possessor of Irish fully to realise its importance or to grasp its significance without a familiarity with the facts and a knowledge of the course of Irish history. No surer means can be imagined for enshrining the new generation with the idea of the language movement than bringing them into touch with their country’s story.
The student who takes up Irish without a knowledge of Irish history loses the true meaning of the language: his study is but a cult; he may cherish the flower but he has torn it from its roots. But the student of Irish history is inevitably and with increasing rapidity carried on to a realisation of the indissoluble bond which unites all our ideas of Ireland as a distinct entity with the existence of a national language.
The objections that are raised against the study of Irish and the obstacles in its way do not exist with regard to Irish History. The same practical difficulties do not exist to impede it. It does not need specially trained and qualified teachers; it does not demand the same arduous labour on the part of its pupils.
The smallest Craobh can form its history reading class, conducted, perhaps, in turn by the members. The most remote school can have Irish history taught by its existing staff without any alteration in the programme. The ideal is, of course, to have Irish history taught through the medium of Irish. But until a generation comes in which that will be possible we must urge on the study of our history in English in such books as present a point of view as much as possible in sympathy with the historic Irish nation to which the Gaelic Leaguer looks.
We admit that from this standpoint our existing histories in English all exhibit deficiencies. Many of them, however, have considerable merits and the sympathy and intelligence of teachers and pupils may easily supply their defects.
In the study of our history whether in Craobhacha or in schools certain points must be carefully attended to. The historic point of view which we mentioned must be consistently maintained: we must never admit a perspective taken from the Pale or the anglicised present.
The human interest must be developed: no matter-of-fact dry-as-dust interpretation of the deeds of our heroes or the romance of our sufferings should be allowed to obscure the fact that history is a record of the doings of personalities and not of names or symbols.
Local history must be made attractive and local associations interwoven with the narrative. Teachers might take their pupils, and craobhacha might bring their members to historic spots or commanding positions and identify their surroundings with incidents in their country’s past. Literary history should not be neglected: as the drama of political history unfolds, the student should become acquainted with the master minds who formed the ideas of their fellow men of the time, and who created the native literature of Ireland.
Pádraig Pearse
Article originally published on: Thursday 13th June 1907If you'd like to help with producing further articles, please sign up here!
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An Interview with Patrick Quinlan from the National Party
Welcome to another in our series of interviews with prominent figures and rising stars in contemporary Irish nationalism!
Today we're talking to Patrick Quinlan from the National Party, a rapidly growing and influential political organisation in Ireland, one of the few if not the only such group with actual elected representatives. Read on to learn about engaging with the system, winning hearts and minds, and the political future for Irish nationalism!
Perhaps you could tell us a little bit about yourself to begin with?
I'm Patrick Quin
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An interview with Rob Carry
Good afternoon! As part of our ongoing series on rising nationalist stars and voices in Ireland, we're delighted to be able to introduce local community activist, businessman and politician, Rob Carry!
We've been talking about his amazing work for and with his community, as well as his aspirations and plans for the future.
ACS: Can you tell us a little about yourself, your background, and where you're coming from?
RC: Sure. So I’m a small business owner (I run a commercial gym, a martial arts club
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An Interview with Gavin from Offgrid Ireland
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Today we're talking to Gavin from a prominent and influential online discussion group, the X SPACES Éire Community. This very active group has at one time or another hosted many well-known nationalist names and continues to grow in both size and influence.
ACS: Can you share with our readers some of your background and a little about who you are?
OI: I am an Offaly man, born and bred, now in my la
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A New Voice For Ireland
We are pleased to introduce a new rising star among Irish nationalists - although she needs no introduction for many of you who have attended Irish Ireland protests recently - Ciara Ní Mhainnín! Her uncompromising voice offers a clear challenge to the establishment and a great example for us all to follow.
Ciara very kindly took the time to join us in an online interview, which we are delighted to publish here.
ACS: What made you decide to get involved with the Irish Ireland cause, was there one particular event or was it more of a process?
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The last address of Thomas MacDonagh
There is not much left to say. The Proclamation of the Irish Republic has been adduced in evidence against me as one of the Signatories. I adhere to every statement in the Proclamation. You think it already a dead and buried letter, but it lives, it lives. From minds alight with Ireland’s vivid intellect it sprang; in hearts aflame with Ireland’s mighty love it was conceived. Such documents do not die.
The British occupation of Ireland has never for more than one hundred years been compelled to confront in the field of fight a Rising so formidable as that which overwhe
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From A Hermitage - DECEMBER 1913
I was once stranded on a desert island with a single companion. When two people are stranded on a desert island they naturally converse. We conversed. We sat on a stony beach and talked for hours. When we had exhausted all the unimportant subjects either of us could think of, we commenced to talk about important subjects. (I have observed that even on a desert island it is not considered good form to talk of important things while unimportant things remain to be discussed.)
We had very different points of views, and very different temperaments. I was a boy; my companion was
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